Hello, Fellow Calamus users! I have tried to output files to film from two different graphic houses. I eneded up getting the same problem. For some reason the film will take the vector curves and substitute flatspots for them (so the letter o will actually be hexagonal, like a hex nut). All objects are like this; not just text.
I believe its not Calamus' problem. I say this because when importing a EPS file into Illustrator or Quark both programs show the vectors (text and drawings) to be curves!!!!! Also When creating a PDF from distiller 4.0 it creates these objects as curves.

The only thing Im left to think of is that it happens in the rip computer.
I understand that the rip is not done from the computer holding the file.
So If the graphics house loads it into a mac, the mac will load in the page and then send it to another computer which is where it is ripped.

If anyone knows a solution to this problem please let me know. This has been athorn in my side and I can't use pdf to print 4 color sep.
I don't want to run back to pagestream cause I love Calamus a whole lot but If my Calamus files get flat spots instead of curves then it's no use.

Please help

Peter, I used bridge 4 with calamus 99. I don't know much about my settingsin bridge 4 but I didn't see anything concerning splines or curves. again Illustrator and Quark both show curves not segmented flat lines for substitutes.
As for the Rip I don't know should I ask those questions. Also are there otherquestions I might ask that you can inform me of? Thanks a mill

Peter, I used bridge 4 with calamus 99. I don't know much about my settingsin bridge 4 but I didn't see anything concerning splines or curves. again Illustrator and Quark both show curves not segmented flat lines for substitutes.
Hmmm. COuld you e-mail me a small sample (Without the bitmap pictures)? You can ZIP it, its better for the transfer.

Petr

Hello, I've been having the same problem for some time now.
I make a Postcript file with Bridge and load it in Illustrator.
Curves are all there... but become straight lines when printed(postcript printer or filmsetter).
I haven't solved the problem yet...
Jerry

Hello, I've been having the same problem for some time now.
I make a Postcript file with Bridge and load it in Illustrator.
Curves are all there... but become straight lines when printed(postcript printer or filmsetter).
I haven't solved the problem yet...
Jerry

This problem is EXTREMELY STRANGE, since Jerry and I have both been wittnesses to Illustrator showing vectors as curves but when sending them to a imagesetter (postscript printer) the curves are replaced with many flat lines which are visible upon glancing.

I would like to see Ulf, or someone who wrote the bridge module respond with some helpful insight.

At this time I believe the Imagesetter I sent my PS file to was a agfa avantra (cant remember the model 20 i think ). I don't know what the other graphic house used but it certainly made the same exact dulicate problem.

If anyone can help please do. I would like to remain solely on Calamus and I think this problem is solveable.

thank you,

Gene

Bridge writes bezier curves, definitely, when you output Calamus documents to PS/EPS. When you open these files in Illustrator, they will usually be shown as bezier curves, too.

(I do not know if there is a switch, button or other parameter in Illustrator which changes this behaviour.)

The general problem is, that a bezier curve will have to be divided into very many small line parts SOMEWHEN in the output process. This can be true for screen output, too. Each RIP has to create a solid area which was described by the bezier curve before. Therefore the bezier contour has to be evaluated and will be changed into these very small polyline paths which describe an area then. This area is filled by the RIP then and can be processed for output.

I guess that this mentioned "bug" only occurs when former small bezier objects are enlarged very much in Illustrator for output.

Bridge writes bezier curves, definitely, when you output Calamus documents to PS/EPS. When you open these files in Illustrator, they will usually be shown as bezier curves, too.
(I do not know if there is a switch, button or other parameter in Illustrator which changes this behaviour.) The general problem is, that a bezier curve will have to be divided into very many small line parts SOMEWHEN in the output process. This can be true for screen output, too. Each RIP has to create a solid area which was described by the bezier curve before. Therefore the bezier contour has to be evaluated and will be changed into these very small polyline paths which describe an area then. This area is filled by the RIP then and can be processed for output.
I guess that this mentioned "bug" only occurs when former small bezier objects are enlarged very much in Illustrator for output.

I am afraid that your answer does not solve the dillema. The EPS and PS files that I have created were not enlarged at all. NO SCALING. rather the text was placed and sized by text appointing the font size. NO STRECTHING.

I tried to turn fonts to outlines (even though I saw that even vector drawings had the problem...not just the text). This did not solve the issue.

Lastly I tried converting the file to a pdf and that did output to film as curves. however There are many limitations at this time to PDF in most graphics houses out here in California.

Sorry Ulf, Im still trying to resolve this and I will keep anyone interested, posted.

And if anyone has any insight then please, please share it.

Gene