ColorSpan Legacy Printing Tools - User Guide for Macintosh OS

B-2 PostScript Printer Description Files
PostScript Printer
Description Files
The Printer Description Files (PPDs) describe each printer to
the LaserWriter driver. The software disc contains versions of
PPDs that are specific to each printer and RIP type. It also
includes various alternate version PPDs. The Printing Tools
Installer automatically copies most of these PPDs to their proper
locations. Some PPDs must be manually copied to their appro-
priate location.
If you are unsure of how your application uses PPDs, refer to the
application’s user manual.
Generic PPDs Generic PPDs can be used for Macintosh applications that do
not require their own specific PPD file format. The Installer cop-
ies the generic Revision 4 PPD files, and Revision 3 PPD and
PDX files, to the RIP.
QuarkXPress 4 PPDs There are PPDs specifically for QuarkXPress 4, which work
around a bug in early versions of QuarkXPress version 4.0 that
resulted in any custom page size printed with a height of 0,
regardless of the size in the document.
The Installer automatically places these PPDs in the printer-spe-
cific folder within the folder under Macintosh Classic OS ver-
sions. They are not used under Macintosh OS X. (You can also
copy them from the Printing Tools CD-ROM.) If required, copy it
to the System : Extensions : Printer Descriptions folder. Then
select the PPD using the QuarkXPress PPD Manager. Refer to
the QuarkXPress user manual for instructions.
Alternate Custom Page
Size PPDs
Alternate Custom Page PPDs are used under Macintosh Classic
OS versions. They are not used under Macintosh OS X. They
are provided for any printer that supports custom page sizes.
Some software application programs disagree on the meaning of
the “Orientation” flag associated with the PostScript custom
page operator. The symptom is that the image will be output
rotated, and probably cropped, relative to the page. If this hap-
pens, use the Alternate PPD.
Revision 4 PPDs Revision 4 PPDs are files that conform to version 4.1 of the
Adobe PostScript Printer Description File Format Specification.
They are used by the LaserWriter 8 driver on the Macintosh.