Here is a description of the Filter/Driver Pack Plus release from Aldus. It includes the 5.0a patch as well. This is a must for anyone experencing printing problems. Thanks Jeff Bone and Mindy James for this info. There are two separate releases: Mac and Windows. Geof. (gwp@cs.purdue.edu) -------------------------------------------------------------------------- MACINTOSH VERSION RELEASE -------------------------------------------- Filter/Driver Pack Plus available for PageMaker 5.0 for the Macintosh November 29, 1993 A Filter/Driver Pack Plus will be available for PageMaker 5.0 for the Macintosh in early Q1 1994. The Macintosh Filter/Driver Pack Plus includes several new and updated filters, including import filters for Microsoft Works 3.0 and MacWrite Pro files, as well as the most recent LaserWriter driver, version 8.1.1. Other filters on the disk include updated and enhanced versions of the Excel 4.0, WordPerfect 5.x, TWAIN, and RTF filters. The Filter/Driver Pack Plus also includes a patcher utility which will update PageMaker 5.0 to version 5.0a. This patcher corrects a handful of reported customer problems. Detailed technical information on the contents of the Filter/Driver Pack Plus can be obtained by calling FaxYI at (206) 628-5737 and requesting document 215001. (FaxYI is a free service that will fax you technical information about Aldus products.) You can download individual components of the Filter/Driver Pack Plus from the Aldus Forum on Compuserve or America Online; to speed delivery and distribution of these files to customers, component files will be posted online as they're complete. Downloaded files may be shared with other registered PageMaker owners. Filter/Driver Pack Plus disk sets will also be available directly from Aldus for $9.95; call (206) 628-2320 to place an order. A Filter/Driver Pack Plus for PageMaker 5.0 for Windows will be available in December 1993. What's included in the Filter/Driver Pack Plus for the Macintosh... * New MacWrite Pro import filter * New Microsoft Works 3.0 import filter * New LaserWriter 8.1.1 driver * Excel 4.0 import filter update * RTF import filter update * WordPerfec5.x filter update * TWAIN filter and "Acquire image" Addition update * Updates to PPDShell and Update PPD utilities * Pantone color libraries update * Support for the Adobe Acrobat Addition * Patcher that updates PageMaker 5.0 to 5.0a and corrects a handful of reported problems. Some of the problems solved: * Grayscale, RGB, and CMYK TIFF images now print correctly on all imagesetters. Previously, these types of images appeared too dark when printed on certain imagesetters. * Downloadable fonts now print for all pages in a publication, regardless of the number of pages printed and the number of EPS graphics in the publication. Previously, downloadable fonts in publications that also contained EPS graphics with downloadable fonts would sometimes stop printing after a certain number of pages were printed. * A problem with EPS graphics in publications created in PageMaker 3.x and converted to PageMaker 5.0 printing low resolution or bitmapped has been fixed. * Background printing works when printing on Macs with System 6. WINDOWS VERSION RELEASE -------------------------------------------- Filter/Driver Pack Plus available for PageMaker 5.0 for Windows November 29, 1993 A Filter/Driver Pack Plus will be available for PageMaker 5.0 for Windows in late December. The Windows Filter/Driver Pack Plus includes several new and updated filters, including an import filter for WordPerfect 6.0 files. Other filters on the disk include updated and enhanced versions of the WordPerfect 5.0, TWAIN, CGM, RTF, and Microsoft Excel import filters. The Filter/Driver Pack Plus also includes a patcher utility which will update PageMaker 5.0 to version 5.0a. This patcher corrects a handful of reported customer problems. Detailed technical information on the contents of the Filter/Driver Pack Plus can be obtained by calling FaxYI at (206) 628-5737 and requesting document 315001. (FaxYI is a free service that will fax you technical information about Aldus products.) You can download individual components of the Filter/Driver Pack Plus from the Aldus Forum on Compuserve or America Online; to speed delivery and distribution of these files to customers, component files will be posted online as they're complete. Downloaded files may be shared with other registered PageMaker owners. Filter/Driver Pack Plus disk sets will also be available directly from Aldus for $9.95; call (206) 628-2320 to place an order. A Filter/Driver Pack Plus for PageMaker 5.0 for the Macintosh is planned for early Q1 1994. What's included in the Filter/Driver Pack Plus for Windows... New WordPerfect 6.0 for DOS import filter * GIF import filter update * WordPerfect 5.x import filter update * Excel 4.0 import filter update * RTF import filter update * TWAIN filter and "Acquire image" Addition update * CGM filter update * New UpdatePPD utility * Pantone color libraries update * Aldus Dictionary Editor update * Aldus Table Editor update * Patcher that updates PageMaker 5.0 to 5.0a and corrects a handful of reported problems. Some of the problems solved: * Grayscale, RGB, and CMYK TIFF images now print correctly on all imagesetters. Previously, these types of images appeared too dark when printed on certain imagesetters. * TrueType fonts sent to a printer as Type 3 (bitmap) fonts are now sent at the actual resolution of the printer, so the printer will have enough memory to print publications with Type 3 versions of TrueType fonts. * PageMaker now automatically switches a printer to PostScript or PCL mode, depending on the type of printer driver (PCL or PostScript) selected for the target printer. * PageMaker is now able to send publications to fax machines using any supported fax driver. * PageMaker now sends pages in discrete bands for non-PostScript printers that support banding (such as the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet II and III series and the Canon BubbleJet). * Downloadable fonts now print for all pages in a publication, regardless of the number of pages printed and the number of EPS graphics in the publication. Previously, downloadable fonts in publications that also contained EPS graphics with downloadable fonts would sometimes stop printing after a certain number of pages were printed.