Incorrect pdf build on virtual machine

[mariya_savina]

Display of pdf generated from the same project on local machine and on virtual machine is different - on virtual machine indents and spacing are smaller and, accordingly, the document has fewer pages than expected. H&M versions on both machines are identical.
What could be the reason for such behavior of the build on the virtual machine? What settings are responsible for the final display of the document?

[Tim Green]

Hi Mariya,

Display of pdf generated from the same project on local machine and on virtual machine is different - on virtual machine indents and spacing are smaller and, accordingly, the document has fewer pages than expected. H&M versions on both machines are identical.

This is quite possible. It is caused by small differences in the resolution configurations on the two machines, particularly if the Screen is being used as the reference PDF driver for the output. Remember, a PDF is really just raw printer data in a file that is 'printed' to the screen with a redirected printer driver. That is basically all that Adobe Reader is -- a printer driver that displays printer output on the screen. Everything else is just bells and whistles.

You can access the reference printer driver settings in View > Program Options > PDF. By default, HM will use the screen device driver, but you can often get better results by using a real printer driver. By the same token, some printer drivers can also cause problems, particularly optimized drivers from printer manufacturers. It is generally better to use one of the standard drivers supplied with Windows.

If the driver of your own installed printer doesn't work well you can activate and select one of the known good standard drivers included with Windows. You don't have to actually have the physical printer. Just add the driver with Add Printer in the printer section of the Windows Control Panel and then select it as your reference driver in Help & Manual. The standard Windows Brother HL-2040 and HL-2060 drivers deliver good results, and standard LaserJets and DeskJets are usually also OK. You can also use the Microsoft XPS Document Writer driver, which is always installed in all current Windows versions. However, this driver has the restriction that it can't be set to the higher output resolutions supported by more recent printer drivers.

Windows 10 and above no longer provide direct access to the list of standard drivers. To access it you must do this:

1. Select Add Printer, then click on "The printer I want isn't listed"
2. Select "Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings"
3. Accept the suggested port (this is irrelevant)
4. Click on "Windows Update" and wait a couple of minutes for the list to display.

The last step can really take a few minutes. Go and make a cup of coffee...

After this you will be able to select a driver from the list.

Important Notes:

DON'T use "PDF printer drivers" like Adobe Distiller for this! This will not work properly and is actually counter-productive.

The output resolution and default paper size are set in the settings for the printer driver in the Windows Control Panel. The default page size set for the printer driver must be at least as large as the page size you have set in your print manual template. If it is smaller you will get clipping in your PDF pages.