7.4

PPDSetup
PPD files, or PostScript Printer Description files are used by PostScript printer drivers to print to PostScript devices. PPDs con-
tain printer-specific postscript commands that are used to control printer features, such as duplexing, stapling and sub-set sta-
pling, tray calls and more. PPDs can be specific to a certain printer model, to a model line, or to a manufacturer. Generic all-
purpose PPDs are provided with PlanetPress Suite and contain commands that should be understood by a large number of
printers, but using the appropriate PPD is always better.
PPDs are only used when printing through Optimized PostScript Stream or Printer-Centric mode. They are completely
ignored when using Windows Driver output.
The PPD, along with the sample data file you associate with the document and the emulation you select define how your doc-
ument handles its input data, and consequently determine the accuracy of the output the document produces with the data
stream it receives at runtime.
Document setup also involves giving the document a name, setting default printer options for the document, associating one or
more attachments with the document if necessary, setting any binding margins you want the document to use, and adjusting
options that can improve the document performance at runtime.
Normally the default PPD can be used. However, if the default PPD fails, it is recommended you search for one made available
by the manufacturer. You can modify any of the document setup settings at any point during the document creation process. If
you change or modify the PPD associated with the document, you should verify the change does not compromise the accuracy
of the output the document produces.
Add or Remove PPDs
The default PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file PlanetPress Design provides works for the vast majority of printers. It is
recommended that you use it when possible. In the event the default PPD and any of the other PPDs provided with PlanetPress
Design do not work properly with your printer, you can add PPDs to your PlanetPress Design installation. Note that PlanetPress
Design only accepts PPDs for PostScript Level 2 or higher printers.
To add a PPD from PlanetPress Design:
1. Double-click on the Document node to display the Document properties dialog box.
2. In the Document properties dialog box, click Basic attributes, and click the Add PPD button.
3. Use the Select PPD File dialog box to navigate to the PPD file you want to add, and click Open.
If the file is a valid PPD file for a PostScript Level 2 or higher printer, PlanetPress Design adds it to its PPD folder. If you
selected Invalid PPD notification in the User Options dialog box, PlanetPress Design reports any failure to add the PPD.
The dialog containing the error message includes a checkbox you can use to suppress the message in future. This
checkbox clears the Invalid PPD notification option in the User Options dialog box.
4. Refresh the PPD list that appears in PlanetPress Design.
To add a PPD from outside PlanetPress Design:
1. Drag the PPD you want to add to PlanetPress Design from Windows Explorer or your desktop to either the Document
structure or Document page areas.
2. The current document will be configured to use that PPD automatically. If you dragged several PPDs at once you will
have to select the appropriate PPD from the list available in PlanetPress Design.
To remove a PPD from PlanetPress Design:
1. Remove the PPD file from the PlanetPress DesignPPD subfolder of the Windows Common Files folder.
2. Refresh the PPD list that appears in PlanetPress Design.
Setting Up a Document
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