QuickDraw GX: Discussion Of Key Features

This article discusses the key features of QuickDraw GX.
QuickDraw GX is a Macintosh system software extension that provides printing features as well as advanced graphics, type, and color capabilities. QuickDraw GX works with existing Macintosh applications and fonts and provides enhanced printing functionality and document portability.

KEY FEATURES
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PostScript integration

QuickDraw GX automates the typographic process determining proper kerning, justification, and ligature sets. It also provides a number of ways of working with PostScript:

Enhanced font management

 QuickDraw GX uses Adobe Type Manager GX (ATM GX) to provide complete
 support for Type 1 fonts. You can work directly with Multiple Master
 fonts, eliminating the need for multiple weights and instances.


Smarter printing of type

 QuickDraw GX controls the downloading of all font formats, including
 TrueType, to PostScript printers. QuickDraw GX downloads only the
 characters needed from any font so that more fonts can exist in the
 printer RAM.


Extended functionality of existing PostScript devices

 QuickDraw GX provides real-time color interaction between objects
 (transfer modes), perspective transforms on graphics and type, and
 high-level type features on existing PostScript devices through ColorSync
 color management technology.


Customizable, Extensible Printing

QuickDraw GX lets you use a printing enhancer background application to customize your printing process to provide increased control, security, and feedback. Examples of this feature are print multiple document pages to a single sheet of paper, or printing grayed Confidential across every page of a document.

Capabilities of QuickDraw GXdrivers may be expanded by adding QuickDraw GXExtensions to a users system folder.


Printing Interface

You can create a desktop icon of your printer then drag any document on top of the icon to have it printed. You can use the printer icon to reorder the print queue, postpone a print job, or transfer print jobs to other printers by dragging document icons to a new location or printer icon.

Printer Sharing

Using desktop printer icons, you can share any output device attached to an individual Macintosh across an entire network.

Password Protection

You can control access to output devices, such as film recorders, to control the use of costly consumables, such as color film, color toner, or expensive types of paper.

BUNDLED SOFTWARE
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- Drivers
   LaserWriter GX
   ImageWriter GX
   ImageWriter LQGX
   StyleWriter GX
   LaserWriter 300 GX
   LaserWriter IISC GX
   Portable Digital Document Maker GX


- Fonts
   Apple Chancery
   Skia
   Tekton Plus
   Hoefler & Hoefler Ornaments


- Utilities
   SimpleText 1.1.1
   LaserWriter Utility 7.7
   QuickDraw GX Helper 1.0
   Type 1 Enabler 1.1.9
   PaperType Editor 1.0


- System Software
   QuickDraw GX 1.0.1
   ColorSync 1.0.5
   ATMGX 3.7


COMPATIBILITY
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System 7.5 is compatible with most applications that are compatible with System 7.1. However, in order to use some new features of System 7.5, application programs must be written to take advantage of its capabilities.

QuickDraw GX is compatible with Type 1 and TrueType fonts.

The LaserWriter GX driver is compatible with many third party laser printers that use the standard LaserWriter driver.

The following devices may not be compatible with QuickDraw GX until their manufacturers write and distribute suitable drivers or software:

Non-Apple products:                  Apple products:

 fax modems                            Express Modem (fax capabilities)
 laser printers                        LaserWriter PostScript Fax Cards
 ink jet printers                      Color StyleWriter Pro
 color imagers                         Apple Color Printer
 plotters                              Portable StyleWriter


Check with the appropriate third party vendor for additional information about specific products.

USAGE REQUIREMENTS
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QuickDraw GX requires a Macintosh, Performa, or PowerBook computer with 8MB DRAM and a 68020 microprocessor or better. It runs on all PowerMacintosh computers with 16MB of DRAM.

QuickDraw GX runs with System 7.1 or later.

Published Date: Feb 19, 2012