Hello,

I have a client with 2 requirements where they need to implement a print security solution, where the user authenticates at the printer device before their print job is released. This is taken care of by a print security server. The other requirement is storing a PDF of every job that goes through the Print security server.

The second requirement is where we want to use PlanetPress. Typically a user will print to a print queue monitored by PP Production, PP Production will intercept the print job, create a PDF, save it to disk and the job is then redirected to the print security server which takes care of the rest (authentication/releasing print job to the appropriate printer device).

The printer driver that we are using to which the user prints is a PostScript based driver for the HP M5035 MFP. I am using Winqueue input and select this driver from the list with "Spool print jobs in RAW format" selected.

All is working fine when we use create pdf action (passthrough, no document selected) followed by send to folder - copy of any incoming job is created and saved as PDF and the job is then sent to the print security server. This is as required.



However when I tried to implement the same creation and saving of PDF using PP Image (passthrough, no document selected), I get the following error in the PP Service console for PP Image.



INFO: Processing file C:\ProgramData\Objectif Lune\PlanetPress Suite 7\PlanetPress Image\QueuedJobs\18C2A33.ps
DEBUG: Reading job options from input file
DEBUG: Watch Process Name : PS-PPFM-A4-debug-PPImage
INFO: Starting conversion...
INFO: Initializing PlanetPress Alambic...
INFO: Distilling file to PPI-Microsoft Word.pdf...
DEBUG: %%[ ProductName: PPAlambic (evaluation) ]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 1]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 2]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 3]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 4]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 5]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 6]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 7]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 8]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 9]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 10]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 11]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 12]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 13]%%
DEBUG: %%[Page: 14]%%
DEBUG: %%[LastPage]%%
ERROR: I1013 : No pages defined in the index file (i.e. pdi/xml), moving files to error directory
ERROR: I1005 : Error while processing job; moving file to error folder: 18C2A33.ps


We need to use PP Image, so that the archiving of all the incoming print jobs is done on a separate machine to have dedicated processing for the PDF craetion.

Any pointers will be much appreciated.

Thanks!

cube,

Try using Digital Acton instead of CreatePDF or Image. There is one difference between Digital Action and PlanetPress Image output, and it's that Digital Action can accept postscript files that were not created via PlanetPRess itself (e.g. not with a PlanetPress Design Document), whereas PlanetPress Image will generally not be able to process them.

Hi Eric,

Great, it works!, thanks for the information.

We are wanting to use PP Image as it has the feature of running on a separate machine than the one that has PP Production on it. I do not see the option to select "Host" in the Digital action properties like in PP Image plugin.

Is there a way to accomplish digital action running on a separate machine like PP Image and then having PP Production send the data to it, to create the PDF?

Thanks again.

cube,

Unfortunately not, that is the limitation of Digital Imaging in regards to this. The only way you could do this is to actually have a separate Production activation and to send it the data file, so costs would be involved.

Hi,

Would printing the original PDF to the PlanetPress printer help in any way before sending it to PlanetPress Image?

There has to be a better way than buying a second production license...

I also am wondering how digital imaging would be friendlier to foreign PDFs than PP Image. Same RIP, same libraries. Are we sure something else is not coming into play. Please feel free to enlighten me.

I suggest you open a support call so we can assist you in finding a viable workaround to your current issues.

Thanks. Regards,

Olivier

The differences between Digital Action and PlanetPress Image are known by the training & support department, though I'm not completely certain they are specifically documented. Even though the same engine is used, let's remember the Digital Imaging action is run from PlanetPress Workflow, not as a separate service. Since it uses the Watch service instead of the Image one, that explains the differences.

Besides that, Olivier is talking about an "original" PDF as if there was one - cube is using RAW input which, I'm assuming, is specifically for performance reasons since creating a PDF as this point is as CPU-Intensive as using the Create PDF or Digital Action.

I do agree however that there may be some workaround that I'm not aware of, so opening a support call would be a great idea. You can do this by phone or through the web.

Thanks Eric and Olivier for your input.

FYI, We are using RAW along with the PS driver, so that all the job information (No. Of pages, color/BW, simplex/Duplex etc) are available to the print security server software for accounting purposes, when it is re-directed to it thorugh PP, after PP saves a PDF of the incoming print job.

I have opened the support call. Waiting for their response.

Thanks and Regards

Cube

Hi,

I have one last query. We have decided to go with Digital Action and use it to archive all the incoming print jobs in PDF format.

What is the minimum requirement for it from licensing point of view?. Is a PP Imaging licnese required to run Digital Action Plugin? Will the scenario described in the first post above work if only PP Watch is purchased? or will it require PP Watch + PP Image?

Thanks again for your times.

PS: I have not yet had any response for the support call I logged.

Cube,

Using Digital Action requires both Worfklow Tools (Watch, Office or Production) as well as the Imaging license (which includes PlanetPress Image, PlanetPress Fax, Digital Action and PlanetPress Search).

In terms of the support call, perhaps the agent is doing research on the issue depending on how you presented it. You can call 1-866-348-5863 then choose the options for Support and "I already have an open issue". Put in your ticket number and you'll reach the agent that is assigned to it.