How to Apply a Quartz Filter to PDF
Quartz is a standard Mac OS X PDF graphics system that allows you to manage and manipulate the color, effects and file sizes of input and output PDF documents. Quartz filters are managed by the Mac OS X ColorSync Utility in the Applications folder; however, you can apply and customize PDF output using your system's Automator application or the Print Preview window to adjust a PDF's lightness, color tones or file sizes before saving or printing documents.
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Instructions
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Using Automator
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Open a new Finder window and click "Applications." Double-click the Automator icon to open a new Automator session.
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Click the "Workflow" template and select "Choose." Click the Files & Folders icon in the Library drop-down menu on the left side of the screen and drag the Get Specified Finder Items option into the empty Workflow portion of the screen.
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3
Open a new Finder window and locate your input PDF document. Drag its icon directly into the Get Specified Finder Items field. You may select several PDFs, if needed.
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4
Click the "PDFs" option in the Library drop-down menu on the left side of the screen and drag the Apply Quartz Filter to PDF Documents icon to the Workflow portion of the screen, underneath the Get Specified Finder Items field. When prompted by Automator, choose to apply the changes directly to your PDF, or create a copy to make changes to.
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5
Click the "Filter" drop-down box at the top of the Apply Quartz Filter to PDF Documents Workflow option and choose one of the presets. Options include Black and White, Blue Tone, Sepia Tone and Reduce File Size.
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Press the "Run" button in the top right corner of the screen to apply the specified Quartz filter to your PDF document or documents.
Using Print Preview
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Open your PDF document in Preview or desired Mac OS X application. Click the "File" tab and "Save As."
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Click the "Quartz Filter" drop-down box near the bottom of the window and select the desired filter. Options include Black and White, Blue Tone, Sepia Tone and Reduce File Size.
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Enter a name for your new PDF document and choose a save location on your computer. Click "Save" to save the PDF with the desired Quartz filter.
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Tips & Warnings
For general use, Print Preview is the fastest option. Automator is best suited for applying Quartz filters to batches of PDF documents.
