Help! PCX in Quark 6.5

[CathC]

Using OS 10.3.9; Quark 6.5.

I've received a job consisting of PC-based Quark files and PCX-format art files. While Quark 4 had a "PCX Import" Xtension, there is nothing of the sort in Quark 6. Numerous Web searches have not shown the existence of an Xtension that will enable me to use PCX files in Quark 6 (although the Quark site SAYS they can be used!) Does anyone know of a way that this can be done (other than going back to Classic/Quark 4)? I'd rather not have to convert the PCX files unless there's a quick, foolproof method.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Blue Velvet]

I'd rather not have to convert the PCX files unless there's a quick, foolproof method.

How many are there?

Without a second's hesitation, I would definitely batch convert the PCX files; who knows what problems they could conceivably cause on press or when distilling or RIPing?

A bit of effort now saves peace of mind later. I mean, let's be serious. Images in a file format originally for MS Paint are unlikely to be CMYK for a start and it will be also worth checking what resolution they are.

Set up an action in Photoshop to convert them to CMYK and then save them as TIFFs. You can then run them as a batch to convert them all in one fell swoop...

More on batch processing:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/214024/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/259833/

 

[CathC]

How many are there?

Images in a file format originally for MS Paint are unlikely to be CMYK for a start and it will be also worth checking what resolution they are.

You are absolutely correct about that: the few I opened in Photoshop are RGB/96 dpi. However, these are files from a book that has already been printed: my assignment is to simply pull some of the chapters and renumber them for a new book. There are literally hundreds of these files (pcx) and "they" will not want to pay for the work involved in making them right and then relinking one-by-one. I do appreciate your input, although I'm still in a quandary.

 

[Blue Velvet]

You are absolutely correct about that: the few I opened in Photoshop are RGB/96 dpi. However, these are files from a book that has already been printed: my assignment is to simply pull some of the chapters and renumber them for a new book. There are literally hundreds of these files (pcx) and "they" will not want to pay for the work involved in making them right and then relinking one-by-one. I do appreciate your input, although I'm still in a quandary.

OK, in that case... you are in a quandary because...

To import PCX files in QuarkXPress for Mac OS documents, the PCX Import QuarkXTensions software must be installed in the “XTension” folder in the “QuarkXPress” folder.

That's dated from 2005 BTW.
http://www.quark.com/service/desktop/support/techinfo/view.jsp?faq_id=235

But checking through the available free Xtensions on Quark's site, reveals nothing. I guess you've been through this already.

Have you posted your query on Quark's forums? I'm wondering whether PCX import might have been bundled into another new renamed xtension.
http://www.quark.com/service/forums/

Some clients are just not worth the bother, especially those who can't conform to industry standards.

 

[CathC]

But checking through the available free Xtensions on Quark's site, reveals nothing. I guess you've been through this already.

Have you posted your query on Quark's forums? I'm wondering whether PCX import might have been bundled into another new renamed xtension.

I did not post a query, but did various searches (PCX Import, PCX Filter, etc.) at the Quark site, other Xtension directories, and googled the entire Web with as many versions of the phrase "PCX Xtension for Quark 6" as I could think of. No luck with any of it.

I had finally given up with that angle and decided to go ahead and convert them all to CMYK tiffs. Alas, about a quarter of them wouldn't even open in Photoshop! At which point I returned the job, not having earned a penny on it after hours of trying to work it.

Chalking it up to some lessons learned, not the least of which is how much I appreciate this forum and your willingness to help out. Thanks again for trying!

Cathie

 

[Blue Velvet]

At which point I returned the job, not having earned a penny on it after hours of trying to work it.

Now that is a shame. Sorry it didn't work out, and yeah, we're a pretty friendly bunch around here. Well, most of us.