I get virtual memory (VM) errors when printing QuarkXPress documents with Adobe Illustrator graphics. What can I do?
Occasionally when you are printing a complex document (one that contains long paths, streamlined objects, blends, masks, and/or patterns), Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Separator will generate an error message. Typical error messages include: "Limitcheck," "VMerror," "The document is okay but cannot be printed," "Please use the Chooser to select a printer," and "-8133."
These errors occur when the document is too complex to be printed with the memory currently available on the printer. Installing additional memory into the printer (if possible) will help; however, there are several other things you can try to solve this problem:
Working in Adobe Illustrator, follow the instructions below. Work with a copy of your original file, not the orginal itself.
1. Choose Preferences from the Edit menu. If you are working in Adobe Illustrator 88, set the Split Path Resolution to 5080; this is the maximum setting and will split long paths automatically. If you are working in Adobe Illustrator 3.0, check Split long paths on Save/Print. You may see a series of horizontal lines across your illustration; they indicate where the paths are divided, but they do not print.
2. If patterns and/or custom colors are being used, make sure to check under the Style menu for these items and delete all unused patterns and custom colors; deleting these unused elements will simplify the document. (To avoid virtual memory errors, use no more than three patterns in a single document. See "Patterns" note below.)
3. Flatness under the Paint menu can be increased to approximately 4 or greater for a laserprinter (8 for an imagesetter). This option should be used carefully, however, since it will alter the appearance of the illustration if set too high.
4. Blends may have to be replaced by new blends that contain fewer steps.
5. Use a printer with more RAM, or print at a lower resolution (1200 vs. 2400, for example).
If the document still does not print, it may have to be done in sections that can then be stripped together for printing.
Patterns
Patterns require a lot of memory. Here are some tips for creating memory-efficient patterns.
1. Use the background as one of the pattern's colors or as solid objects in a pattern rather than drawing the background as a separate object.
2. Group objects within the pattern tile with common paint attributes to make a pattern print faster.
3. Make the tile smaller by reducing the number of its objects.
4. Use objects with simple paths, or decrease the number of points on a path when you draw a pattern object.
5. Remove any detail too small to appear in the final printed output.
If you have further questions, call Adobe Technical Support at 415-961-0911.
Quark, Inc. has made every effort to see that QuarkXPress works with third-party products. However, due to periodic updating by other manufacturers, we cannot warrant compatibility. Quark, Inc. also makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of FaxFacts. However, Quark, Inc. makes no warranties or guarantees regarding the accuracy of the information herein. Information for this edition of FaxFacts was provided by Adobe.
