iCalamus 2 > Appendix > Tips and tricks Index

Configure PDF output for the web

OS X provides the Print dialog, and programs like iCalamus can integrate their own functions there. But the PDF output is basically prepared by OS X, and many people think that it cannot be changed.

Under certain aspects, creating a PDF using the Print dialog and its function Save as PDF can have disadvantages: Sometimes an optimum print quality and the resulting large file size are not desired or required. If you want to send a PDF file with email, a smaller file size is often much more important. This can be done by using OS X standards:

1. Download this tiny archive from our website:
   https://www.icalamus.net/files/PDFServices_Compress.zip
2. Decompress the ZIP archive with a double-click, if necessary. It contains a folder named Compress and a file.
3. Place the uncompressed file Compress.workflow into the folder Macintosh HD/Library/PDF Services. This is best done by chosing Go To in the Finder menu, while you keep the [Option] key pressed. Then the Library folder will be shown there and can be easily opened.
4. In the Print dialog of each application which conforms to the system (iCalamus too, of course) you now will find the menu entry Compress in the popup menu when you click the [PDF] button.
5. When you select this menu entry, you will be able to choose the compression rate and compression type on PDF output. The result will be placed into a new folder named Compressed PDF Output on your Desktop.