EXP Systems Forum: "Hazy" output

Message

   I have just started trying out PDF conversion programs. PDF reDirect is on the very short list of programs I like. One problem, however, is holding me back from deciding to purchase it (the pro version).

The files that are created with PDF reDirect seem "hazy" when compared with the files created with the other conversion program on my short list. By "hazy" I mean that the background, which is white on the documents I've converted, appears slightly off-white, and the text appears slightly grey.

My test files are pure text files created in WordPro. In PDF reDirect, I have chosen both B&W and Color output. I have enabled enhanced printing features and chosen print quality of both 300dpi and 600dpi. When choosing Color output, I have both enabled and disabled ICM color management. I have also chosen three different printer output settings: high, very good and good. None of the changes in setting have made a difference. 

Is there something I can do to change this?

Doug

Author	Message
greypilgrim Newbie Joined: 07 Feb 07 Posts: 5	Topic: "Hazy" output Posted: 07 Feb 07 at 9:48AM
	I have just started trying out PDF conversion programs. PDF reDirect is on the very short list of programs I like. One problem, however, is holding me back from deciding to purchase it (the pro version). The files that are created with PDF reDirect seem "hazy" when compared with the files created with the other conversion program on my short list. By "hazy" I mean that the background, which is white on the documents I've converted, appears slightly off-white, and the text appears slightly grey. My test files are pure text files created in WordPro. In PDF reDirect, I have chosen both B&W and Color output. I have enabled enhanced printing features and chosen print quality of both 300dpi and 600dpi. When choosing Color output, I have both enabled and disabled ICM color management. I have also chosen three different printer output settings: high, very good and good. None of the changes in setting have made a difference. Is there something I can do to change this? Doug
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1674	Posted: 08 Feb 07 at 1:00AM
	Hi, Weird indeed, as you have looked at everything I would have checked, except for one thing. You mentioned color management. Have you checked both the Windows and the Postsript color management settings? One is in the main printer properties tab called "Color Management", but for the Psotscript (ICM), go through the "General" tab, then "Printing Preferences..." then "Advanced..." and then the ICM color settings. Finally, also check the "Color Model" in PDF reDirect where you can choose either "RGB" or "CMYK". Does that make a difference? Can you tell me a bit more about WordPro? Is there a demo I can download from somewhere? I really would like to duplicate the problem here. Cheers!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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greypilgrim Newbie Joined: 07 Feb 07 Posts: 5	Posted: 08 Feb 07 at 10:43AM
	*Originally posted by Michel_K17* Weird indeed, as you have looked at everything I would have checked, except for one thing. You mentioned color management. Have you checked both the Windows and the Postsript color management settings? One is in the main printer properties tab called "Color Management", but for the Psotscript (ICM), go through the "General" tab, then "Printing Preferences..." then "Advanced..." and then the ICM color settings. I have chosen every possible option, I believe, in both Windows and Postscript color management. But I will run this again to make sure that's what I've done. *Originally posted by Michel_K17* Finally, also check the "Color Model" in PDF reDirect where you can choose either "RGB" or "CMYK". Does that make a difference? This is probably the one thing I didn't check. I'lll do that, also. *Originally posted by Michel_K17* Can you tell me a bit more about WordPro? Is there a demo I can download from somewhere? I really would like to duplicate the problem here. WordPro is the word processor that is part of Lotus' SmartSuite. IBM doesn't offer a demo version, afaik, but you can get a copy of SmartSuite for sometimes as low as $10 on EBay. Doug
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greypilgrim Newbie Joined: 07 Feb 07 Posts: 5	Posted: 08 Feb 07 at 4:57PM
	*Originally posted by Michel_K17* Weird indeed, as you have looked at everything I would have checked, except for one thing. You mentioned color management. Have you checked both the Windows and the Postsript color management settings? One is in the main printer properties tab called "Color Management", but for the Psotscript (ICM), go through the "General" tab, then "Printing Preferences..." then "Advanced..." and then the ICM color settings. Finally, also check the "Color Model" in PDF reDirect where you can choose either "RGB" or "CMYK". Does that make a difference? I have gone back and checked all the color settings. As I said before, I've tried the Postscript Color Management Settings both enabled and disabled. The only options I have in the Windows color management settings are automatic and manual. Since I don't have any manually created color profiles, I have never chosen that setting. I have also tried choosing CMYK, and that made no difference. Doug
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1674	Posted: 09 Feb 07 at 12:43AM
	Hi, OK. I am not sure what is going on. Please send me a copy of a sample PDF with the problem please at exp(at)exp-systems(dot)com. I will log it into my issues database. I have looked in ebay for WordPro/Smarsuite, and only found one [here] which is Smartsuite 96 (4.0). Is that the same version you are using? If so, I will get that copy and try it our in my lab here. Thanks!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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greypilgrim Newbie Joined: 07 Feb 07 Posts: 5	Posted: 09 Feb 07 at 7:13AM
	*Originally posted by Michel_K17* Hi, OK. I am not sure what is going on. Please send me a copy of a sample PDF with the problem please at exp(at)exp-systems(dot)com. I will log it into my issues database. I have looked in ebay for WordPro/Smarsuite, and only found one [here] which is Smartsuite 96 (4.0). Is that the same version you are using? If so, I will get that copy and try it our in my lab here. The sample copy is on its way. Also, though I've included this information in the email, I'll also give you the details on WordPro here. I have the latest version 9.8.1. If you go to EBay and search on "SmartSuite" you will find a listing that usually includes about 20-30 items. The way I've found the most inexpensive version at the time is then to sort by lowest price and scroll down the list until I find SmartSuite 9.8.1. Looking down the list right now, I see that there is one offered at full auction with a current bid of US$13.09 and ending in about 4 days. There is another with a Buy It Now price of US$17.95. Thanks for the help. Doug
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1674	Posted: 09 Feb 07 at 8:44AM
	Thanks Doug. I had done a search using "WordPro". I purchased the $17.95 buy-it-now one this morning. I'll need to wait a couple of days before it gets here though. Hopefully I will have an explanation/workaround for you soon. Cheers!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1674	Posted: 09 Feb 07 at 8:50AM
	Hi Doug, I have opened the PDF, and it seems fine to me. The background is white. Could you send me a copy of a "good PDF" from one of the other PDF creators, so that I can clearly see the difference (maybe I will have an "aha" moment when I see what a good PDF looks like). Cheers!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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greypilgrim Newbie Joined: 07 Feb 07 Posts: 5	Posted: 09 Feb 07 at 11:38AM
	*Originally posted by Michel_K17* Hi Doug, I have opened the PDF, and it seems fine to me. The background is white. Could you send me a copy of a "good PDF" from one of the other PDF creators, so that I can clearly see the difference (maybe I will have an "aha" moment when I see what a good PDF looks like). On its way. Doug
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1674	Posted: 10 Feb 07 at 4:40PM
	Hi Doug, Have you noticed how the PDF from PDF Creator Plus is 43KB instead of the 25KB for the one generated by PDF reDirect? PDF reDirect (by default) adds no fonts to the PDF if you use the "standard" fonts (Arial, Times, Courier) as they are included with the PDF Reader. In your case, you used a custom Truetype font (nothing wrong with that), and PDF reDirect will convert the fonts to a Type 1 Postscript font which is preferred because of they are much smaller in size. I also embed a subset (ue only the letters that are used), which further keeps the PDF files small. Anyway, you can tell PDF reDirect to not convert the fonts, and keep them as "TrueType" fonts as it seems that the font that you are using is not converting to Postscript Type 1 very well. This is an option in PDF reDirect Pro, so all you need is: - Click the "Preferences" button - Click the "Fonts" button - Select the "Do Not convert to PS Type 1 Fonts" - Click "OK" - Click "Exit" OK, try to create a new PDF file. I'm guessing that it will be more to your liking now (famous last words) Cheers!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1674	Posted: 15 Feb 07 at 12:23AM
	Hi Doug, Good news! I received my copy of Word Pro. Do you still think I need to install it and try to duplicate the problem? Or did the font settings change fix the problem for you. Regards,
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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