Printing separations from Publisher 2003

[Tom M.]

I am trying to print spot color separations from Publisher 2003 (on a Win XP
machine) to a Mitsubishi DPX5080 direct-to-plate system, but I am getting en
error message that says:
"To print composite CMYK or separations you must use a printer driver that
is set to output postscript language level 2 or later."
The DPX5080 is actually a postscript level 3 device. I can print spot color
and CMYK separations to it from Pagemaker, Quark and Indesign with no
problems. I have tried following the instructions on the Publisher prepress
issues site to check the settings for my printer driver, but no postscript
options are showing up for my device. According to the instructions from
microsoft, if I do not see any postscript options then I am printing to a
non-postscript device.
I have printed spot separations from Publisher 2000 to this device with no
problem, but the problem started after we upgraded to Publisher 2003. Right
now I am getting around the problem by making PDF's, which separate fine, but
I'd rather eliminate this step if possible.
Does anyone have any ideas how I can get Publisher to recognize that the
DPX5080 is a postscript device??? Thanks.

 

[Kelly]

I am assuming you have already done this,but if not try...

Go to your Printers and Faxes settings. Right-click on
your DPX printer, and select Printing Preferences. Then
click the Advanced button. Towards the bottom of this
window, under Document Options you should see Postscript
Options. It is here where you will find Postscript
Language Level(set it to at least level 2)
By changing it here, it will set as the default setting
for this printer.

Hope this helps

Kelly
Applied Graphics Associates, Inc.

 

[Tom M.]

I am assuming you have already done this,but if not try...

Go to your Printers and Faxes settings. Right-click on
your DPX printer, and select Printing Preferences. Then
click the Advanced button. Towards the bottom of this
window, under Document Options you should see Postscript
Options. It is here where you will find Postscript
Language Level(set it to at least level 2)

Kelly,

Thanks for the suggestion, but as you suspected I have already tried this.
There are no Postscript Options under the Advanced button. According to
microsoft's help files concerning this issue, if there are no postscript
options showing up that means that I am trying to print to a non-postscript
device. Oddly enough, Publisher 2000 recognizes my CTP machine as a
postscript device and prints separations to it just fine. Hopefully there's a
simple explanation for all this, as I don't feel like going back to Publisher
'00!

- Tom

 

[Kelly]

Tom,

You are absolutely right.I downloaded the DPX ppd(and the
RipMate ppd's) and they do not offer the ability to set
the postscript language level. As far as I know, every
other postscript output manufacturer's ppd(at least the
dozens of them I have personally used) includes this
option. For our CTP we use a Xitron RIP(Harlequin-based,
as is the RIPMate), so I find it odd that Mitsubishi
wouldn't include the same postscript options as someone
like Xitron) At this point, I would contact Mitsubishi
tech support to see if they have an alternative
ppd/driver that is available for your RIP.

Kelly

 

[Tom M.]

Tom,

You are absolutely right.I downloaded the DPX ppd(and the
RipMate ppd's) and they do not offer the ability to set
the postscript language level.

Kelly,
Thanks again for your help. Our Mitsubishi rep will be in the shop later
this week, so I will have a chance to bring it up with him.

- Tom

 

[Mac Townsend]

Hack the PPD. use an ascii editor.

obviously work on a copy.

you'll find a statement "PSVersion: (xxxx.yyyy). if it says (2105.yyyy
it is a level 2 device. if it says 3xxx.yyyy it is a level 3.

next, soon after in the text file you'll see a statement "LanguageLevel:
" followed by a "`1" or "2" or "3"

both PSVersion and Language level should agree.

if they say 2xxx.xxxx and "2" try changing the 2 to 3 in each place.
make sure it retains the ppd extension when you save.

try it. if she no work, reopen the file and look for other places where
PS version is referenced.