We DO NOT have PitStop here, or access to PitStop. I have 137 files, and the fonts aren't embedded. They vary in page count from 1, to over 100 pages. They are not printing correctly, and do not display correctly on Mac, but DO display properly on Windows (but still do not print correctly). In the past, I open the file in Windows, save as a .ps and redistill on Mac and it solves the problem, even if the font still doesn't embed. But I have 137 of these and looking for a better answer. Any ideas?
I know I can use Acrobat tools to create a 0% watermark, and then use the flattener to convert the font to outlines, but remember I have 137 of these, so time is an issue.
What are you using for a RIP Digi? On Nexus we can input a pdf and it will output an optimized pdf with fonts outlined. I suppose it's just acts as a super fast flattener, but it would work for batching 137 files like yours, if your RIP has capabilities like that. I'm assuming you have already checked though....
No "RIP," per se... Command Workstation
Having the customer take their PDF and "Print as Image," at 300dpi to a new PDF file seems to be how we have to tackle this issue because of the time frame.
Quote from: DigiCorn on May 10, 2017, 01:30:46 PMWe DO NOT have PitStop here, or access to PitStop. I have 137 files, and the fonts aren't embedded. They vary in page count from 1, to over 100 pages. They are not printing correctly, and do not display correctly on Mac, but DO display properly on Windows (but still do not print correctly). In the past, I open the file in Windows, save as a .ps and redistill on Mac and it solves the problem, even if the font still doesn't embed. But I have 137 of these and looking for a better answer. Any ideas?
I know I can use Acrobat tools to create a 0% watermark, and then use the flattener to convert the font to outlines, but remember I have 137 of these, so time is an issue.
Man it sucks to have to work with both hands tied behind your back. There is an Acrobat preflight for outlining all fonts. I use it sometimes and haven't been burned...
yet.
I would be tempted to buy my own pitstop and take it with me when I leave :(
Quote from: Joe on May 10, 2017, 02:38:19 PMQuote from: DigiCorn on May 10, 2017, 01:30:46 PMWe DO NOT have PitStop here, or access to PitStop. I have 137 files, and the fonts aren't embedded. They vary in page count from 1, to over 100 pages. They are not printing correctly, and do not display correctly on Mac, but DO display properly on Windows (but still do not print correctly). In the past, I open the file in Windows, save as a .ps and redistill on Mac and it solves the problem, even if the font still doesn't embed. But I have 137 of these and looking for a better answer. Any ideas?
I know I can use Acrobat tools to create a 0% watermark, and then use the flattener to convert the font to outlines, but remember I have 137 of these, so time is an issue.
Man it sucks to have to work with both hands tied behind your back. There is an Acrobat preflight for outlining all fonts. I use it sometimes and haven't been burned...yet.
How do you use it? I only know a workaround trick.
Open your Acrobat Preflight. Under "PDF fixups" is the preflight named "Convert fonts to outlines". Select it. Click the "Analyze and fix" button. It will prompt you with a "Save As..." dialog box.
Got the feeling digi is going to be using that a *real* lot.
Download free 30 day PitStop trial. Fix problem, pray job never comes back.
Buy 12 Macs, setup 12 email addresses, you can use pitstop free for a year.
Just sayin.
Smart idea giving a full functioning 30 day trial.
After 30 days you realize you could not do without it.
He already knows, convincing management is the tricky part. :shoots_self:
If you explain how much it is costing the shop in terms of your time, delayed production, delayed delivery, etc. then it becomes a more compelling argument. You sell it based on the ROI. "I can save N-number of hours a week solving these problems times Y dollars per hour times Z number of weeks." If you can justify the expense by showing a net savings then it's a simple matter IF they are paying attention to the business case being made.
Well yes, the ROI in our shop has been multi thousand fold for the type of work we do.
Old school font embedding trick, providing you have the fonts loaded on your system, and active...
In Acrobat, Save As Postscript. Open Distiller, set to Press Quality and fry that .ps back into a PDF. I still do this on occasion, when in a pinch and it works great.
And more importantly... WHY the F would a print employer not equip his techs with PitStop?!?! FFS, I run over 100 @ 8up plates per day and I would be dead if not for PitStop. It is arguably my most important tool, definitely indispensable.
I can't imagine being without it. I started using it at version 4. And still don't tap into about 75% of the power it is capable of.
Yep, I started at v4 too. I've been using more and more features, as the controls and stability improve.
I do some manual work with it but I really like being able to program actions and preflights, to embed various places. I'm kinda insertive like that. :rotf:
But yeah, prepress without PitStop would be like roofing without a nail gun... maybe even no shoes too. It would be a tragic experience. Is this turning into an Enfocus appreciation thread? I'm good with that.
With XMF you can even use action lists in your preflight. I wish Prinergy could do that.
Quote from: Joe on May 12, 2017, 05:16:27 PMWith XMF you can even use action lists in your preflight. I wish Prinergy could do that.
True. And I don't use it mainly because of the low volume nature of our work. We tend to go over stuff via PitStop in Acrobat.
But yeah, a great inclusion.
Hi guys, would you mind if I gave some of these quotes to our marketing department?
With a link to the forum of course Joe.....
Fine with me ABC.
Maybe a 'mildly deranged content' warning could go with the marketing dept. heads-up.
There is a possible 'unintended consequences' to this love-in. If they realise how hooked we are on it, the price may go up. Think street price of mind-altering drugs.
Fine with me, abc. Quote away.
I run Sierra, by Xitron... which is gradually distancing form XMF, but still similar. I embed EnFocus preflights and actions in my workflows. As Frailer points out, I don't use them much on my sheetfed queues or specialty jobs, in favor of handholding, but for fast-paced newsprint stuff, it is super slick to be able to embed actions.
After learning about the Preflight tool in Acrobat, I have now taught myself how to do nearly everything you can do with PitStop, albeit much. MUCH more clunkier. I DO wish I had PitStop, but my partner has been here for 10+ years and has seniority and says, "why do we need it when we can do almost everything without it." She's just down-and-dirty and moves the shit pile super fast, and the owners just lover her, so I would really, really, really have to have a super complex and detailed answer as to why I NEED PitStop. At this point, it would only be if it were super cheap, because I can't sell my partner.
Believe me, PitStop is much, much faster and easier, but they don't want to slow down for the "learning curve."
Dinosaurs, man.
So, how is it burning film in the vacuum frame over there? Does developer and fixer still smell the same as I remember it?
I love the smell of fixer in the morning... it reminds me of victory.
god that smell is forever burned in my nose.
:banana:
We don't have a vacuum frame. Both offset presses are 2-color, with a single blanket, and they run poly plates. We party like it's 1999.