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TICKET ARCHIVE -> Hp Color Laserjet 2550 Vs. Adobe Illustrator
NanoNano - Jul 21, 2005 - 3:49 pm
I am trying to print from Adobe Illustrator 10 on an HP Color LaserJet 2550 L (via USB).
All I get are pages (and pages and pages and pages) of garbage text; usually one line of text per page.
I can work around the problem by printing the document into a PDF and printing it, but that is a really big hassle.
I am running a brand new iMac G5 with Tiger built-in. HP claims the LJ 2550 drivers are already installed in Tiger. I tried to resolve this by running HP's installer, but no success.
What is Illustrator 10's problem?
Thanx.
--Jeff
All I get are pages (and pages and pages and pages) of garbage text; usually one line of text per page.
I can work around the problem by printing the document into a PDF and printing it, but that is a really big hassle.
I am running a brand new iMac G5 with Tiger built-in. HP claims the LJ 2550 drivers are already installed in Tiger. I tried to resolve this by running HP's installer, but no success.
What is Illustrator 10's problem?
Thanx.
--Jeff
Natobasso - Jul 21, 2005 - 5:02 pm
Howdy! Sounds like since you can print pdfs that you have a postscript issue. Your Illustrator files, which especially when saved as eps files are postscript heavy so we'll either need a new driver or you can use GIMP print to simulate a driver.
First, I checked hp's website for a driver here. There's one for tiger dated April 2005:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...k&swEnvOID=219
If this driver doesn't make it play nice you can download GIMP print from versiontracker.com:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/15970
Let me know if #1 or #2 works for you.
So are you a graphic artist with quark or InDesign? I'd use one of those programs, place your Illustrator within it and try printing it that way too. I don't normally print much directly from Illustrator any more--just because my work never demands it.
--------
*Nat
Pro Bass Player
Freelance Designer
Junior IT
First, I checked hp's website for a driver here. There's one for tiger dated April 2005:
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...k&swEnvOID=219
If this driver doesn't make it play nice you can download GIMP print from versiontracker.com:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/15970
Let me know if #1 or #2 works for you.
So are you a graphic artist with quark or InDesign? I'd use one of those programs, place your Illustrator within it and try printing it that way too. I don't normally print much directly from Illustrator any more--just because my work never demands it.
--------
*Nat
Pro Bass Player
Freelance Designer
Junior IT
NanoNano - Jul 21, 2005 - 6:16 pm
Thanks for your timely response.
The drivers/software you referenced on HP's site is the same stuff that comes on the CD with the printer.
I've heard of GIMP, but I have never used it. I do like to learn about new technology on my mac, but I am in a time crunch that keeps me from taking such ventures. So unless GIMP is _simple_ to install/configure/operate, then it may not be an option at this moment.
The optimum solution (due to time constraints) would allow me to print directly from Illustrator.
I am making a guess, but I bet Illustrator must be sidetracking the system. AI might be trying to take a shortcut of some sort, and so it is missing a point where the raw data (all of that garbage text that gets printed) is transformed and rendered into the pretty color graphics.
I am not a graphic artist, but the inventor inside me loves CAD and graphic modelling (which I eventually fabricate into real prototpes.)
I am an Electrical Engineer, Chemist, and Software Developer. I have written application specific software for some research laboratories. Now I must write documentation (manuals & tutorials) on using the software; I've got a deadline.
Please reply with some more information on GIMP and how to use it (while composing illustrated documentation.)
Thanks again.
p.s., The software I developed renders 3D models of DNA molecules.
The drivers/software you referenced on HP's site is the same stuff that comes on the CD with the printer.
I've heard of GIMP, but I have never used it. I do like to learn about new technology on my mac, but I am in a time crunch that keeps me from taking such ventures. So unless GIMP is _simple_ to install/configure/operate, then it may not be an option at this moment.
The optimum solution (due to time constraints) would allow me to print directly from Illustrator.
I am making a guess, but I bet Illustrator must be sidetracking the system. AI might be trying to take a shortcut of some sort, and so it is missing a point where the raw data (all of that garbage text that gets printed) is transformed and rendered into the pretty color graphics.
I am not a graphic artist, but the inventor inside me loves CAD and graphic modelling (which I eventually fabricate into real prototpes.)
I am an Electrical Engineer, Chemist, and Software Developer. I have written application specific software for some research laboratories. Now I must write documentation (manuals & tutorials) on using the software; I've got a deadline.
Please reply with some more information on GIMP and how to use it (while composing illustrated documentation.)
Thanks again.
p.s., The software I developed renders 3D models of DNA molecules.
Natobasso - Jul 21, 2005 - 6:22 pm
Loved hearing about your work! I dabble in CAD (got Level I training in 2004 LT).
GIMP print is exceedingly easy to use. Download it from the link I gave you and try to print. It installs itself and should work seamlessly.
The printing problem you're having is your printer driver isn't translating the postscript information you're giving it in your Illustrator files. That's where GIMP comes in. It allows you to get back your postscript translation.
Are you building the manual in Illustrator? If so, I highly recommend you get a layout program like InDesign. Illustrator doesn't do multiple pages well at all, or allow you to work with text very easily.
To make more recommendations I'd need to know more about your workflow, ie. how are you putting your book together. Are you printing out pages on your own and printing them in-house or sending your files to a printer and they're putting it together for you?
--------
*Nat
Pro Bass Player
Freelance Designer
Junior IT
GIMP print is exceedingly easy to use. Download it from the link I gave you and try to print. It installs itself and should work seamlessly.
The printing problem you're having is your printer driver isn't translating the postscript information you're giving it in your Illustrator files. That's where GIMP comes in. It allows you to get back your postscript translation.
Are you building the manual in Illustrator? If so, I highly recommend you get a layout program like InDesign. Illustrator doesn't do multiple pages well at all, or allow you to work with text very easily.
To make more recommendations I'd need to know more about your workflow, ie. how are you putting your book together. Are you printing out pages on your own and printing them in-house or sending your files to a printer and they're putting it together for you?
--------
*Nat
Pro Bass Player
Freelance Designer
Junior IT
NanoNano - Jul 21, 2005 - 6:55 pm
I followed the link, downloaded Gimp-print, and openned the package. But I decided to NOT proceed, because the installer informs me that a more recent version of the software is already installed?!?!?! I loathe to experiment with replacing "newer" software.
Does Tiger have already a later version of Gimp-print than that posted on VersionTracker? Maybe Tiger has some components (e.g., some libraries) that were not included on pre-Tiger OSX, which may be confusing the Installer; but I would expect the system smart enough to avoid such a mistake. I have no idea.
This is an in-house job, so professional production is not necessary; these guys will gladly settle for spring binders. I am composing the manual using Word; one day I hope to learn LaTex (is there an all-in-one editor/renderer for the Mac yet?) Word prints just fine (AI is the stinker). I will print a few (color) copies and distribute them to some lab members. I will also provide CD containing the docs (for the labs' archives.)
Does Tiger have already a later version of Gimp-print than that posted on VersionTracker? Maybe Tiger has some components (e.g., some libraries) that were not included on pre-Tiger OSX, which may be confusing the Installer; but I would expect the system smart enough to avoid such a mistake. I have no idea.
This is an in-house job, so professional production is not necessary; these guys will gladly settle for spring binders. I am composing the manual using Word; one day I hope to learn LaTex (is there an all-in-one editor/renderer for the Mac yet?) Word prints just fine (AI is the stinker). I will print a few (color) copies and distribute them to some lab members. I will also provide CD containing the docs (for the labs' archives.)
Natobasso - Jul 21, 2005 - 7:00 pm
Ah, didn't know you were in Tiger. Guess you don't need Gimp print.
I have to say (in my snobby graphic desiger opinion) that Word is the absolute worst layout program to do this project in, but I'll leave it at that.
I'd recommend just making pdf files of your pages and printing them. Are there more than 50 pages in your book? If you're in a rush, pdf is the safest way to go.
--------
*Nat
Pro Bass Player
Freelance Designer
Junior IT
I have to say (in my snobby graphic desiger opinion) that Word is the absolute worst layout program to do this project in, but I'll leave it at that.
I'd recommend just making pdf files of your pages and printing them. Are there more than 50 pages in your book? If you're in a rush, pdf is the safest way to go.
--------
*Nat
Pro Bass Player
Freelance Designer
Junior IT
NanoNano - Jul 21, 2005 - 7:08 pm
You said: "I have to say (in my snobby graphic desiger opinion) that Word is the absolute worst layout program to do this project in..."
You are not "snobby"; you are just being directly honest. Word is just one PITA after another; especially with things like a TOC, Index, Figure Captions, Cross-references, etc., etc., etc.... That's why I am praying for a graphic LaTeX editor for Mac.
I'll stick to PDFs for now.
Thanx again.
Jeff
You are not "snobby"; you are just being directly honest. Word is just one PITA after another; especially with things like a TOC, Index, Figure Captions, Cross-references, etc., etc., etc.... That's why I am praying for a graphic LaTeX editor for Mac.
I'll stick to PDFs for now.
Thanx again.
Jeff
Natobasso - Jul 21, 2005 - 7:14 pm
You bet.
And to be absolutely safe with your PDF files, make them PDF/X-1a files. It's an ISO-9001 format that will not let you create a file with a RIP error in it.
I'll close this thread, but glad to have met you!
--------
*Nat
Pro Bass Player
Freelance Designer
Junior IT
And to be absolutely safe with your PDF files, make them PDF/X-1a files. It's an ISO-9001 format that will not let you create a file with a RIP error in it.
I'll close this thread, but glad to have met you!
--------
*Nat
Pro Bass Player
Freelance Designer
Junior IT
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