PDF-Basics is a service provided by PDFzone.com | http://www.pdfzone.com/ __________________________________________________________________
At 08:30 PM 2/29/2004, Rich Sprague wrote:
Thank you, Leonard, for your extensive explanation. I honestly am not sure if it answers the question about the difference between the three different PDFs I tested today, or muddies the water.
Some of both...
As I think I said in another related message, IF you are using an Adobe CS application AND your only intent for the produced PDF is print (and NOT screen/web), then you will indeed be fine going the PS->PDF route on Mac OS X (usually via the Adobe PDF printer, just because it's easier).
It's a larger issue when using "native" Mac OS X applications or going to screen/web.
This is just an incredible can of worms. People make PDFs by PSing and distilling, by printing to the Adobe printer, by exporting using the PDF Library, with Ghostscript. and who knows how many other programs?
In general, most people shouldn't care. A PDF is a PDF is a PDF - it should just work..
The biggest issues for printers are enough in themselves to cope with: are the fonts embedded, is the resolution correct, is the file CMYK, and will it RIP?
Right - certainly people or industries have particular requirements for the PDFs that they have to process/consume. That's why there are tools such as preflighters (Acrobat 6, PitStop, PDF/X Checkup) and correction/enhancers (PDF Enhancer, PitStop).
If, in fact, the only way to correctly make a PDF is to print to Adobe PDF,
But it's not! There is no "only one correct way"...
And if we're all supposed to put on the brakes and start using one method only, what happens when something better comes along?
Which is also my argument for the folks that say "the only way is to go Postscript to Distiller" ;).
Sure, that used to be best (when the alternative was PDFWriter), but now there is a better option - direct application export. So now we should move to that, when available.
I don't think people are prepared to change their workflows (or habits) that rapidly.
Agreed, but people should try it and not be afraid of it...
When a magazine calls and says send a PDF, they don't ask how it was made...they're mainly interested in the fact that one uses the Press Quality job options.
I 100% agree!
Unfortunately, some people ARE telling folks how to make them as well - based on their own PERSONAL workflow/habits, hence the propagation of the myths...
I go back to something I said many threads ago. It's best to discuss production issues between the vendor and the customer, and develop a workflow that works for both parties.
Definitely!!!
Leonard --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Leonard Rosenthol <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Chief Technical Officer <http://www.pdfsages.com> PDF Sages, Inc. 215-629-3700 (voice) 215-629-0789 (fax)
To change your subscription: http://www.pdfzone.com/discussions/lists-pdfbasics.html
