PDF creation from Quark 6.1

[bobbi716]

Okay - I've been experimenting with Quark 6.1 and making pdfs. I've tried several ways.

I have Acrobat 5.0.

I'm looking for the best/most efficient way of creating pdfs - any suggestions are welcome!!

Also, is there a way to choose print/press/screen optimized directly from Quark without having to make a .ps file and distilling it?

That's how I've been doing it - granted my distiller is an older version and still running Classic, but I'm doubting our company will pony up the bucks for an updated version, since we can't even have Microsoft Word... Blah. (Sorry for being negative there for a minute - if anyone knows of any good job openings in Wisconsin for graphic design... I'm LOOKING. :o)

But my real question is regarding pdfs from Quark? What's the best way? How can you choose print/screen optimized?

Thanks in advance for bearing with me on this one!

[D-Zine]

Humm..I'm not running Quark v6 yet so I am not sure how the PDF works there just yet. I run v5.0. I open distiller and always leave it running in the background (don't feel bad I am on Distiller 4.0 still!!). Be sure you have it set on whatever job options you need. Once Distiller is open I go to Quark and do File>Export>PDF. It creates the PS and auto distills it.

I don't believe you can choose the optimization in Quark, but I could be wrong. I think you have to set that in your job options in Distiller and save it. Again..not sure on version 6 tho. :o)

When you make your PDFs are you going to the print menu, making a PS file and then dropping that into Distiller? If thats what you are doing then instead, go to export to PDF, choose options, click on the output tab, and where it says printer desciptions choose Distiller and save your settings. Then when you go and export to make your PDF it will auto distill that instead of having to print to file to make the PS and then distilling that. That make any sense? LOL I think I got lost in all the different ways to make a PDf from Quark..LOL

http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/metatag3.jpg

Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

From Quark you can't. But if you play with the compression you can customize it to replicate the effect. But I still find the Quark PDF's almost twice as big as the Acrobat Distilled ones.

Here is a sneaky little trick. Save your page as an EPS file>open it in Illustrator>Save as PDf. This gives your the distiller options. Thats what I do at home.

[bobbi716]

Thanks for the replies. I guess what I'm doing works. I am just on the fast track to not using classic. I hate going back and forth between two operating systems. Just a pet peeve I guess.

Yeah, there are lots of ways to create pdfs from Quark. It's kind of frustrating. And it's even more frustrating trying to get the size just right. I don't mind experimenting on stuff though. I learn a lot that way. :o)

[D-Zine]

Getting the size right? the file size or the doc size? Just curious :o)

Experimenting is cool but once they madeit where you could export to PDF in Quark available and I didn't have to go to the print menu and print to file to make a PS and then distill that I was so much happier! LOL! The less time it takes me to get my stuff to press on deadline day the better!!

http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/metatag3.jpg

Who says doodling isn't constructive?!

Well if you use Quark 6 with Illustrator 10 you shouldn't have to go back to Classic.

[bobbi716]

I completely agree. I hate going through so many steps just to make a pdf.

I was referring to the document size. It's amazing how making a pdf direct from Quark creates such a large pdf. I wish there was just a pop up window that asked how you wanted it optimized. Then you can kind of choose if you want a lo or hi res pdf file.

There is you can choose the little options tab hidden to the far right on the bottom. It's almost a secret cause at first I didn't see it.

[D-Zine]

Mine never changes my document size. I don't understand. You mean like the actual deminsions?! I do mine at 10.2 x 11.625 and that is what they come out as.

Oh yeah I almost missed the options tab too... ;o)

http://coastalcarousel.com/GDF/metatag3.jpg

Who says doodling isn't constructive?!