PPT: Patterns Print Incorrectly as Black or Gray Shading
  
PSS ID Number: Q121286
Article last modified on 05-16-1998
 
windows:3.0,4.0,4.0a,4.0c
 
WINDOWS
 

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The information in this article applies to:
 
 - Microsoft PowerPoint for Windows, versions 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, 4.0c
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SYMPTOMS
========
 
If you print patterned fills from PowerPoint on a system running
Windows version 3.1 to a Hewlett-Packard LaserJet Series II, III, or 4
printer, the patterned fill in the printout may look more like a shade of
gray or black, rather than the pattern displayed on the screen.
 
The graphics resolution of these printers can be adjusted to provide better
pattern printing, without affecting the resolution at which text prints.
 
STATUS
======
 
Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in PowerPoint for Windows
versions 3.0, 4.0, 4.0a, and 4.0c. This problem was corrected in PowerPoint
version 7.0 for Windows 95.
 
RESOLUTION
==========
 
PowerPoint 3.0 does not compensate for high-resolution devices when
printing bitmap pattern fills. The graphics resolution of LaserJet Series
II, III, and 4 printers (as well as LaserJet clones) can be changed to
optimize the printing of pattern fills. Note that the LaserJet 4 must be
set to Raster graphics mode to print these patterns.
 
PowerPoint 3.0
--------------
 
Use the following steps in PowerPoint 3.0 to change graphics
resolution:
 
1. From the File menu, choose Print.
 
2. In the Print dialog, locate the Print Quality section. This is
   normally set to High or 300. Change this setting to "Low" or
   "75", then choose OK to print.
 
If the pattern now prints too coarse, try setting the Print Quality
to Medium or 150.
 
NOTE: If the resolution of the printer is not changed as described
above, PowerPoint may override the new settings. In this case, the
graphics resolution will be whatever is set in the Print Quality
section of the Print dialog box.
 
PowerPoint 4.0
--------------
 
PowerPoint 4.0 improves printing of bitmap pattern fills to high resolution
devices (up to 300 dpi). This makes patterns more useful when you print to
the LaserJet Series II and III, but because the LaserJet 4 is capable of
printing at 600 dpi, the pattern may still be too dense. One way to obtain
a more satisfactory printed output is to change the Graphics Quality and
print in Raster mode rather than HPGL/2. Use the following steps to
change these driver settings:
 
1. From PowerPoint's File menu, choose Print.
 
2. In the Print dialog, click the Printer button.
 
3. In the Printer Setup dialog, click the Options button.
 
4. In the HP LaserJet 4/4M dialog box, click the Options button.
 
5. In the Options dialog box, switch the Graphics Mode setting from
   HPGL/2 to Raster.
 
6. Switch the Graphics quality to Low.
 
7. Click OK until you return to the Print dialog.
 
8. Click OK to print the presentation.
 
Notice that the bitmap pattern fills now print in a resolution that
is closer to your actual display resolution. If circles and diagonal
lines look too jagged at this resolution, try switching the Graphics
Quality (as defined in step 7 above) to Medium. This will render a
more condensed pattern, but it should still be quite recognizable. If a
coarser pattern is desired, leave the Graphics Quality setting at Low,
but change the Printer Resolution setting from 600 to 300 in the HP
LaserJet 4/4M dialog box mentioned in step 4 above.
 
When your results are acceptable, save the file. These printer settings
will be saved with the file and your Windows default settings for the
printer will not be changed.
 
MORE INFORMATION
================
 
For more information on the HP LaserJets, or to obtain the latest version
of the LaserJet 4 driver, contact Hewlett-Packard technical support at
(208) 323-2551.
 
Additional query words: 4.00 3.00 power point powerpt gray grey
4.00a 4.00c pattern black missing laserjet IV jet laser boxes box pattern
winppt
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Keywords          : kbgraphic kbprint
Version           : windows:3.0,4.0,4.0a,4.0c
Platform          : WINDOWS
Hardware          : x86
Issue type        : kbprb
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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1998.