FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs about Overdrive 2 and Overdrive Layout for Mac OS X

What is Overdrive?

ColorBurst Overdrive for Mac OS X is a 64-bit PostScript RIP server that delivers high-end color, accurate proofing and Pantone matching.

What is Overdrive Layout?

Overdrive Layout is a separate application provided with Overdrive to allow nesting, cropping, and step and repeat of images with optional crop marks, image annotations, and colored image borders.

How do I download Overdrive Layout?

Overdrive Layout is part of the Overdrive download. It is located in the Overdrive folder with the Overdrive RIP application.

What does Overdrive do?

Overdrive processes your files and handles color in ways your print driver and applications can't. With Overdrive you can print documents with elements in different color spaces (CMYK, RGB, and grayscale all in one document), print complex transparencies correctly, match Pantone colors without trial and error. The Overdrive Job Manager makes printing easier by letting you reorder and prioritize jobs and reprint files by dragging them from the Done list to the Job list. Overdrive saves all of your print settings in an Environment that can be reloaded in a single step.

What is the Overdrive demo?

The Overdrive demo is a way for you to try Overdrive before you buy. We recommend you try the Overdrive demo before you purchase to make sure it works for your printer, system, and workflow.

How is the Overdrive demo limited?

The Overdrive demo is exactly the same as the full Overdrive RIP Server product except it expires after 15 days. The demo is the 64" Overdrive RIP Server, so you can print on printers up to 64" wide with the demo.

When does my Overdrive demo period begin?

Your Overdrive demo begins after you click the Try Demo button, send your information, and the program successfully launches. You will then have 15 days to try the product. Each time you run Overdrive the splash screen will indicate how many days are left in your "test drive."

Is a demo available for Overdrive Layout?

Yes. Overdrive Layout also has a 15-day demo period to try it with the Overdrive demo.

Purchasing Overdrive for Mac OS X FAQs

How do I purchase Overdrive?

Overdrive can be purchased online at www.overdriverip.com. The order form can be accessed by clicking "buy" at the top of any page.

What forms of payment do you accept?

The online order form accepts credit cards and PayPal account payments through PayPal. To use a credit card without logging in to PayPal, click the "Pay with Bill Me Later, Debit or Credit Card" link on the PayPal checkout screen.

What is your return policy?

Overdrive has a 45 day return policy. Please email ColorBurst Systems at cse@colorburstrip.com if you would like to return your product. You will need to deactivate your Overdrive license before you receive a refund.

How do I activate Overdrive and Overdrive Layout?

After purchase, you will receive your Overdrive and Overdrive Layout serial numbers by email. Launch each application and click the Activate button. Enter your serial number, including dashes, in the Activation dialog to activate your software.

Where can I find my serial numbers?

Your Overdrive and Overdrive Layout serial numbers are listed on your Overdrive invoice email. If you did not receive this email after purchase or can not locate your serial number, please email support@overdriverip.com.

I purchased Overdrive before Layout was available. Is it possible to get a serial number for Overdrive Layout?

Yes. Please email support@overdriverip.com with your Overdrive serial number to request an Overdrive Layout serial number.

How many computers can I use Overdrive or Overdrive Layout on?

Each serial number allows Overdrive or Overdrive Layout to run on one computer at a time. You may run Overdrive and Overdrive Layout on the same computer, or on different computers.

How do I move my license of Overdrive or Overdrive Layout to a different computer?

You must first deactivate your active license to use a license on a different computer.

How do I deactivate my license?

In Overdrive v1, go to the Help menu and select Deactivate to deactivate the license. In Overdrive v2, Deactivate is found in the ColorBurst Overdrive menu. In Overdrive Layout, Deactivate is found in the ColorBurst Overdrive Layout menu. Each program will quit when you select Deactivate, so make sure you are ready to close the program before deactivating.

Overdrive 2 for Mac OS X Support FAQs

Why is the Job List Off button dimmed? I can't turn the RIP On to print.

Overdrive won't print until you have created an Environment and your Output ICC profile settings are set properly. In the Job Manager window, look below the preview for an error message in red text. Once the errors are corrected, you will be able to print. Refer to the Overdrive 2 Quick Start Guide to build an Environment.

Why don't my settings look like the screen grabs shown in the Quick Start Guide?

The beauty of Overdrive is that it works with any printer. Your printer's driver settings are loaded into the New Environment dialog. Because every printer driver is different, your settings will probably not match those shown in the documentation, but many of the settings will be similar to yours. Overdrive's universal printer compatibility means you'll need to locate your printer settings that accomplish the same task.

My printer driver does not have a setting to turn off color management. Can I still use Overdrive 2?

Overdrive 2 provides the best results when color management is turned off in the printer driver. If you can't turn it off, you can still use Overdrive 2 by selecting a ColorSync profile instead, making sure to set Overdrive's output profile to match. You can use a custom paper profile, or select Adobe RGB 1998 in both settings.

Why does my file open in Preview when I try to print?

At the top of the Job List, you will see a Print Preview button. This is selected by default, and it sends a preview of the ripped file to Preview before printing. (The ripped file shows exactly how the file will print, but it is not color managed to your screen, so it is not an accurate indicator of color.) To print the file from Preview, click the Print button at the bottom of the window, or press the Return key. If you want to skip the Preview, deselect the Print Preview button.

Why are my files on Hold when they are placed in the Job List?

At the top of the Job List, you will see a Receive On Hold button. This is selected by default, and it places your files on Hold so you can perform any scaling or rotation before they print. If you want your files to come in with a status of Ready, deselect the Receive On Hold button.

One of my files came in with the wrong file size and the preview is distorted. Is there any way to fix this?

Many files contain multiple "geometries" such as page size, crop box, or art box. For most files, these geometries match, but some files have different sizes listed internally. Overdrive selects one of the sizes to use, but on occasion it may not be the size you intended. For files with multiple geometries, you can right-click the file in the Job List to select a different geometry to use. (Files whose geometries match will not show any sizes on right-click.)

Why do I only see the first page of my multi-page document?

When a multi-page file is opened in Overdrive 2.0, the first page is shown in the preview, but all pages will print. Additional multi-page support, including preview and selection of subsequent pages, is in the works and coming in a future update of version 2.

Why does the New Environment dialog open with AdobePDFPDE crossed out?

When creating a new environment in Overdrive 2, a disabled AdobePDFPDE screen may appear as the default printer setting for each printer. This is caused by an outdated Adobe PDF plugin, which is not compatible with Mac OS X 10.6 or later (see Adobe's support notice). To remove this screen from Overdrive's Printer settings, remove the AdobePDFPDE.plugin file from the Macintosh HD/Library/Printers/PPD Plugins folder.

CONTACT OVERDRIVE SUPPORT

Please send support questions to the Overdrive support team at:

support@overdriverip.com