About
PostScript® and PPD Files
A PostScript
file contains a detailed description of each page in your
electronic document. Acrobat Distiller relies on this information
to create a PDF file that accurately preserves the look and
content of your original document. To create a PostScript
file, you should have the most current version of printer
driver software installed on your system. The printer driver
software is a utility that helps transfer information between
an application and a specified printer, enabling that application
to gain control of the printer. The Copy Centers recommends AdobePS
printer driver.
PostScript
printer description (PPD) files describe to an application
how to use special features unique to a specific PostScript
printer (e.g. resolution, paper formats) and PostScript commands
for device control (e.g. cutting command for imagesetters,
paper cassette selection). PPD files also include information
about the fonts built into the ROM of each printer. These
PPD files are used by PostScript printer drivers to determine
how to print your document.
Because
the PostScript interpreter in Acrobat Distiller cannot understand
these device- specific commands, a special "Acrobat Distiller"
PPD file is used for generating PostScript files. This special
PPD file is provided to you during your Acrobat 4.0 installation
and can be found in:
"C:\...\Acrobat 4.0\Distillr\Xtras\Adist4.ppd" (Windows)
"...\Acrobat 4.0\Distiller\Xtras\Acrobat Distiller"
(Macintosh)
This PPD
file is device-independent and allows optimum control of the
Distiller. Device-dependent information are not usually stored
in the PDF file to ensure that it retains its flexibility
of output. Device-specific information is added during printing
from Acrobat by selecting the relevant PPD file.
For best
results, we recommend using AdobePS printer drivers along
with the Acrobat Distiller PPD for generating PostScript files.
These are included in the default Acrobat installation. If
you do not have AdobePS printer driver software or have an
Acrobat Distiller PPD, you may download them from our download
page.
Setting
Up A PostScript Printer
Once
you have your AdobePS printer driver and the Acrobat Distiller
PPD ready, you are ready to set up a PostScript printer. Click
on the link below for your operating system to view step-by-step
instructions on setting up your PostScript printer driver.
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