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Problem With PDF On Printout

Older PDF fail

Some PDFs, usually ones created using older software versions (PageMaker before it became InDesign, or Quark 5 and older) or non-standard graphics programs (like Publisher or Excel), don’t print out correctly after being imported into Number Machine Pro.

Older software PDF

This sample PDF was created using a very old version of PageMaker. It looks fine here, but the PDF plugin used by Number Machine Pro will try to reinterpret the tabs into columns.

Older PDF fail

This older PDF prints out from Number Machine Pro badly – the text is forced to reflow into columns that aren’t in the original PDF and the start/stop and margins for the PDF are corrupted.

 

 

Transparent vector images are incompatible with the PDF plugin being used in Number Machine Pro version 2.1.0.14. They will be imported as solid.

 

Transparent vector PDF

This PDF includes a transparent vector image in the background behind the text.

transparency becomes solid

Number Machine Pro’s PDF plugin doesn’t interpret the greyscale transparency correctly and prints it out as solid black and white.

 

There are two different ways to overcome these issues: 1) Quickly, or 2) Professionally.

1) The fastest way to fix the transparency is to open your current PDF in Photoshop, make sure the color settings are set the way you want them (Photoshop tends to default everything to RGB when you probably want grayscale), and resave as a PDF. This will effectively rasterize the whole document. The downside is it may increase the file size and decrease the quality.

(WARNING: Photoshop doesn’t interpret PDF margins very well and may alter your intended gutter spacing and finished size. You will likely need to resize the image to get the margins and project size correct before saving and importing into Number Machine Pro.)

2) To fix the transparency while retaining the highest possible resolution you can change the original image from vector to raster using whatever image program it was created in, re-import it into whatever design program was used to make the PDF, and then resave the PDF. This will take a little longer but will give you the best quality output without increasing your file sizes.
After you’ve done one of those two options you can re-import your PDF and the PDF will look as intended.
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How To Use The Sample Job Templates

The fastest way to learn how to operate Number Machine Pro is to download one of the sample job templates that most closely represents the type of numbering you are trying to set up.

Unzip the files and open the .NMT file using Number Machine Pro. All of the settings will already be in place, all you need to do is replace the PDF with your own, change the settings to match your required numbering parameters and go to Print Preview to make certain it set up correctly so you don’t waste any paper.

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What File Extensions Are Used?

A: NMT, NUM and PDF file extensions are used.

When you save your document, Number Machine Pro saves your files as Number Machine Templates (.NMT).

Number Machine 1.0 saves files with a .NUM file extension.

Importing Images: Number Machine Pro allows you to import single page .PDFs.

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How To Import A PDF

Importing a PDF:

  1. On the very top menu bar, click File. A drop-down menu will appear.
  2. Click Import PDF.
  3. Locate the folder on your computer that contains your PDF file.
  4. Click the file name.
  5. Click the Open button or double-click the file.
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UA-18430859-11