Quartz PDFContext corrupts page size

Question

Level 1

6 points

Quartz PDFContext corrupts page size

ANy print created by Quartz PDFContext creates the page size as "other" - with an actual size is 12.14" x 15.71"

there is no preferences file associated with Quartz - I've deleting the library preference files associated with PDF and Acrobat.

So, in desperation I've also tried resetting PRAM, SMC and run Disk Repair>repair permissions.

I first noted the issue under 10.10.4 - I've installed 10.10.5 and the issue still persists

any thoughts?

cheers Simon

MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014), OS X Yosemite (10.10.5)

Posted on Sep 5, 2015 9:23 AM

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Answer 1

Bird flier Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 5, 2015 3:03 PM in response to VikingOSX

I'm using a variety of apps:

MP Navigator EX

MS Excel

but especially Parallels 11 -- this creates PDFs and checking the properties page for these the PDF Produceris: MacOS X 10.10.5 Quartz PDFContext.

I don't think the PDF creation is App-specific but is down to pdf engine.

It's worth observing that if I open one of these large (paper size) files in Preview I can then resize it to Letter size.

Cheers

Simon

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Answer 2

VikingOSX

Level 10

119,933 points

Sep 5, 2015 3:19 PM in response to Bird flier

Applications that use the standard OS X print dialog permit you to set the paper size, before selecting the PDF submenu. Mine always defaults to Letter. Some applications expect you to set the paper size in Page setup, and that may be the key to Excel (as well as print area). Applications that export to PDF, and do not interject an optional application specific customization print panel, should also default to letter size. The paper size can be specified at the Objective-C level when creating a PDFContext, either by supplying NULL, which defaults to standard U.S. Letter size, or pixels as 612x792, also Letter.

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Answer 3

Bird flier Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 5, 2015 3:27 PM in response to VikingOSX

Sorry, you've lost me.

Yes, I'm aware of the two dialog options. And, yes, my options default to Letter BUT then create a document of 12.14 x 15.71. As I said this is being modified by Quartz PDFContext and I have no way of clearing that. What do you mean by the Objective-C Level.

PDFContext is being called automatically b y the appropriate app -- I have no way of interacting with it.

Cheers

Simon

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Answer 4

Bird flier Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 5, 2015 3:34 PM in response to Bird flier

To add to this - as an example I can open MP Navigator and open the Page Setup dialog, which displays a size of Other (12... x 15...)--I can reset that to Letter, Ok the change and Apply it in the main interface. Closing and re-opening MP Navigator reverts to Other.

This is without even creating the PDF

Cheers

Simon

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Answer 5

VikingOSX

Level 10

119,933 points

Sep 5, 2015 4:20 PM in response to Bird flier

MP Navigator has issues if you set it to Letter and it reverts back to other. Does it have a save as default button, so that Letter setting survives? Seems to me that the PDF creation is dutifully doing what MP Navigator sends it as a page size, and if it isn't retaining your settings, then that is not the fault of the Apple PDF library.

Never mind about the Objective-C level, that is what is going on inside the PDF Context Library in OS X.

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Answer 6

Bird flier Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 5, 2015 5:58 PM in response to VikingOSX

Sorry, don't think you've grasped the issue -- I used MP Navigator as an example but I have the same problem with other apps I'm using -- despite setting to Letter, regardless of before or after creating a pdf -- the paper size is generated as 12... x 15...

The issue is PDF Context has a corrupt setting which does not allow me to reset to Letter sizw. So how can I clear that?

Cheers

Simon

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Answer 7

Bird flier Author

Level 1

6 points

Sep 29, 2015 6:57 AM in response to Bird flier

So, I talked with Apple Support -- who couldn't help much as they couldn't get an active desktop link, but did suggest deleting preference plists and let OS re-create them.

Then talked with a local specialist -- we deleted all the print plist files, let OS re-create them and this has cleared the problem

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Answer 8

VikingOSX

Level 10

119,933 points

Sep 5, 2015 10:26 AM in response to Bird flier

Simon,

How are you generating the PDF on OS X?

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Quartz PDFContext corrupts page size