Plotmaker PDF Output

[Vitruvius]

Hi,

I've been outputting PDF on both PC and Mac and have noticed that the Mac files aren't as fine a resolution as the PC Amyuni PDF files. This is the same AC project and PM layout?????

The platform setups are:

1. PC / Windows 2000 / AC 8.1 / PM 3.1
- files are PDF'd from Plotmaker using Amyuni PDF driver
- my default printer is an HP 5000 laserjet

2. MAC / OS 10.2.3 / AC 8.1 / PM 3.1
- files are PDF's using print command in Plotmaker
- my default printer is an HP 9300 inkjet

The PDF output has been printed on both printers - basically the PC files look nicer on screen and the printouts are far superior on both HP printers. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Many thanks!

Cameron

[Djordje]

Vitruvius wrote:
I've been outputting PDF on both PC and Mac and have noticed that the Mac files aren't as fine a resolution as the PC Amyuni PDF files. This is the same AC project and PM layout?????

Check the Mac settings - you are probably printing at default 300 dpi with Amyuni.

[Vitruvius]

Hi Djordje,

I've changed all the Mac settings, tried PS printers and plotters and the PDF output still looks bad. The basic problem appears to be the OS X built in PDF function - have a look at the following article of creating construction document PDF's:

http://www.monitor.net/~dbelfm/_pages/osx_creating_pdfs.htm

I have successfully tried saving as a PM postscript file and then using Distiller to convert to PDF - but not very elegant.

Any suggestions or workarounds from the Graphisoft technical folks?

Regards, Cameron

[Anonymous]

I (we) have been using PDF on the Mac for years with no problems with output quality. In fact the only trouble I have had in the past is having to reduce the resolution to get the file size down.

The Mac PDF drivers have an option for controlling the resolution of the output by creating filters to be chosen at print time. I have done this myself, but now I can't remember how (and a quick Google didn't help). Does anyone else know how these filters are set up? I would appreciate the refresher.

Anyway, it's possible that your PDF printing has been set up to make lower res files. Check for a pop-up at the bottom of the print dialog for choosing your PDF output filter. (I have also customized my own print dialog so I am not sure what yours would look like.) In any case, I am sure your problem is fixable, I just can't remember enough to give you a complete answer.

[__archiben]

Matthew wrote:
The Mac PDF drivers have an option for controlling the resolution of the output by creating filters to be chosen at print time. I have done this myself, but now I can't remember how (and a quick Google didn't help). Does anyone else know how these filters are set up? I would appreciate the refresher.

matthew

at the point of printing go to the colorsync 'tab' and choose the 'quarz filters''. see attached screenshot.

by clicking "add filter" at the bottom, it opens the 'colorsync utility' (also found in /Applications/Utilities). here you can click the 'filters' tab and create your own output filters.

is this what you meant? if not, then it's still a pretty handy thing to know about. especially for creating special colour effects straight out of any program!

~/archiben

[Anonymous]

Thanks Ben. It's much appreciated.
I hate forgetting useful stuff like that.

[Vitruvius]

Ben & Matthew,

Thanks for the input. I think what I'm finding strange (perhaps my adobe settings) is that my PDF's produced on PC print much nicer than those produced on the Mac.

Very curious indeed, but I'll keep tinkering until I get it right.

Cheers, Cameron

BTW Ben - 5 cups o' java and skiing don't mix - you don't want to be drilling through 4 layers of clothing to answer nature's call at 8000 ft.....

[Greg Kmethy]

Cameron,

The difference is probably that PDFs created on MAC have a resolution of 300 dpi - this is system default, you cannot change it.
Amyuni / Distiller on PC can make a PDF with 1200 dpi.


Greg

[Anonymous]

Greg,

This is not true in my experience. The PDFs I am getting from OSX are of such high quality that I cannot find a resolution limit. Zooming in to the limits (6400% in Acrobat) shows no lack of resolution. The only stair-stepping, pixelation, or other artifacts I can find are those in the original image files and are not introduced by the PDF printing process.

300 dpi is a very low resolution and I would have noticed this long ago if it were true. I believe you must be mistaken about this.

As I have stated before, the only problem I have had with PDFs produced by the OSX print function is that they are TOO HIGH resolution resulting in large files which I often have to reduce in Acrobat for e-mail attachments.

Cameron,

Perhaps there is a difference in the printer drivers or the software you are using to view/print the files. Have you tried printing both files from both machines? (i.e. Print the Mac generated file from the PC and the PC generated file from the Mac.)

gkmethy wrote:
Cameron,

The difference is probably that PDFs created on MAC have a resolution of 300 dpi - this is system default, you cannot change it.
Amyuni / Distiller on PC can make a PDF with 1200 dpi.


Greg

[Anonymous]

this from the Mac OSX Help on pdf printing:

"Mac OS X creates a "Digital Master" PDF file, which is larger than a typical PDF because the resolution of images in the PDF file are not scaled down. The PDF file also includes each font character used in the document, including characters from the standard 13 fonts."

Another tidbit that OSX help mentions is that Preview (if that's what you're using to view/print) has options for smoothing text, and Adobe Reader goes even farther to add smoothing of lines & text, and the ability to display at a custom resolution setting in lieu of the document's setting.

Also OSX help mentioned that if you "Preview" the image from the print dialog and then print the image from the preview window, you will lose resolution quality since you are essentially making a pdf from the pdf OSX created to show you the preview.

Any of those tips help?

Wes