Basic Steps for Creating a .pdf File
- Make sure your computer has a postscript print driver loaded. If you have previously loaded PageMaker, this step should already be complete. There should be a printer description called "Acrobat Distiller" listed for both Mac and Windows
operating systems. For Windows computers, look in your "printers" folder located in the control panel. For Mac computers, look at the printer descriptions listed under your current driver in the chooser. If you don’t have the
"Acrobat Distiller" printer description you can obtain it from the Adobe website.
- An economical way to PDF without "Distiller" is to go the http:\\www.pdf995.com and download the PDF995 software. Only Window computers can use PDF995. Print a document from any application
choosing the PDF995 printer from the printer dialog. You will be prompted to enter the name of the PDF file you wish to create. A free version of PDF995 will display a sponsor page in your web browser each time you create a PDF file. If
you would prefer not to see sponsor pages, you may download a license key of $9.95.
- Always create a .pdf on the same computer where you created the file being PDF'ed. If this is not possible make sure you move all linked images AND fonts used for the manuscript to the Acrobat computer.
- DO NOT try to create a .pdf on a Macintosh computer if the original file came from a Windows computer and vice versa. This almost never works correctly.
From PageMaker 6.5 (used as an example) In order to create a .pdf from PageMaker 6.5, the program will first prompt you to create a postscript (.ps) file and then take that file into Acrobat Distiller to create the .pdf.
- Open Acrobat Distiller. Under "settings" in the pull down menu, click "Font Locations." A list of folders should appear containing all of the fonts that you have on your system. If you don’t see a folder containing the fonts in your
document, click "Add," find the folder that contains the fonts used and click "Ok" to add it to the list. Click "Ok" when you are finished. Close Acrobat Distiller. NOTE: For Macintosh users only - TrueType fonts will not
embed in a .pdf. You must use Adobe fonts.
- In PageMaker 6.5, under "File" in the pull down menu, highlight "Export" and click on "Adobe pdf." A window will open titled "Export to .pdf.."
- On the "Export to .pdf" screen, you will see a box titled "Workflow." In that box, choose "Distill Now" and make sure checkmarks appear before "Include Downloadable Fonts" and "Override Distillers Job
Options."
- To the right of "Override Distillers Job Options," click the "Edit" button. Another window will appear titled "PDF Job Options."
- Under "General," change the compatibility to the newest version of Acrobat installed on your machine. Also make sure "Embed All Fonts" is checked.
- Under "Compression," check "Compress Text and Line Art." Make sure that all image dpi settings read 600dpi. Notice the boxes to the left of the dpi settings for each image type. All of them should read "Downsample
To" and the little box to the left of that should be checked.
- Under each image type, check "Automatic Compression". Typically a ZIP/JPEGMed setting will work fine. Under the title "Monochrome BMP images" there is only a "Manual Compression" setting. This should read CCITGroup4.
Click the "Ok" button to return to the "Export to .pdf" screen.
- Beneath the "Workflow" box, the "Paper Size" option should read "Same As Page Size(s)." If you want all of the pages in your document to be included in the .pdf, make sure "All" is chosen next to the
"Pages" setting.
- To the right of the "Workflow" box, you’ll see a button labeled "Control." Click on it and make sure that "Output Color Model" is set at "CMYK (best for print)." Click "Ok" to return to
the "Export to .pdf" screen.
- Click "Export" and the program will prompt you to name your file. Name the file, something under eight (8) characters and click "Save." The program will automatically open Acrobat Distiller and process the file,
saving it to the folder you specified. NOTE: Don't "Save" using the same name as the PageMaker file (you can't edit PDF files).
This page contains the basic steps for creating a .pdf file from Adobe PageMaker 6.5. Steps may vary due to images used in your file. Steps may also vary when using programs other than PageMaker. Please consult the Adobe Acrobat Guide located under
"Help" in the Adobe Acrobat menu or see their website for further information.
If you have any further questions regarding the .pdf process, please feel free to call The WORDPRO and the WORDPRO Press at 1-800-833-6601 or (607) 257-0700
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