HOWTO: Convert Power Tab Scores To The Adobe Portable Document Format (.pdf)

Summary

This article demonstrates how to convert a Power Tab score to the portable document format. (.pdf) The portable document format allows users on other operating systems to view Power Tab scores.

More Information

Solution #1 - Using the *pdf995 Print Driver

1. Download and install the free pdf995 print driver from http://www.pdf995.com/download.html.
2. Start Power Tab Editor, and then load the file you want to convert to the .pdf format.
3. On the File menu, click Print.
4. In the Name box, select the PDF995 printer, and then click OK.
5. In the File name box, type the name for the new pdf file and then click Save.
6. Browse to where you saved the pdf file, and open it using Adobe Reader.

* Since the publishing of this article, several other pdf printer drivers have become available that you may wish to try:

• PDF Creator
• CutePDF

Font Problems

If you have problems with the music notes and symbols not appearing correctly after you've exported to .pdf, proceed as follows:

1. Go to the Download Center and grab the latest version of the Power Tab true type font. Delete the Power Tab font that's currently on your machine and replace it with the download. For instructions on how to install the font, see the Related Links.
2. In Windows, click Start -> Control Panel -> Printers.
3. Right-click on the PDF995 printer, and then click Properties in the pop-up menu.
4. Click the Fonts tab.
5. Click Always use True Type Fonts and then click OK.

If the above doesn't work, try uninstalling PDF995 (via the Add/Remove Software icon in Control Panel - don't use the Printers folder) and then download and install the latest release of pdf995.

Solution #2 - Using Adobe Distiller

If you have a copy of Adobe Distiller, you can convert a .ptb file to .pdf as follows:

1. Start Power Tab Editor, and then load the file you want to convert to the .pdf format.
2. On the File menu, click Print.
3. Select the Print to file check box.
4. In the File name box, type a name for the new .prn file and then click Save.
5. Start Adobe Distiller.
6. On the File menu, click Open.
7. Select All files from the Files of type drop-down list.
8. Select the .prn file you saved in step 4, and then click Open.
9. Select the Print from the Job Options drop-down list.
10. Click OK.

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