Modifying a PPD for use with Print Accounting

On Mac OS X, the PPD selected for each print queue must be modified to include additional information, including the IP address of the server. Macintosh PPDs are normally in the folder /Library/Printers/PPDs/Contents/Resources. A sample PPD called
Access ConnectSample.PPD is included with the software.

To modify a PPD for use with Print Accounting, follow these steps:

1. Find the PPD you want to modify.
2. Default PPDs are compressed in the gzip format. Expand one by double-clicking it.
3. Open the uncompressed PPD in a text editor.
4. Copy the following lines to the PPD from the Access Connect sample PPD:

*%******************************************************************************
*% Access Connect Print Accounting CUPS Filter
*%******************************************************************************
*cupsFilter: “application/vnd.cups-postscript 0 Access Connect_filter”
*Access Connect_Print_Accounting_IP: “192.168.1.5”
*Access Connect_Print_Accounting_Queue_Name: “My Queue Name”
*%******************************************************************************
*% Access Connect Print registering UI element for plugin invocation
*%******************************************************************************
*OpenUI *Access ConnectValidationRequired/ValidationRequired: Boolean
*DefaultAccess ConnectValidationRequired: False
*Access ConnectValidationRequired True/Required: “”
*Access ConnectValidationRequired False/Not Required: “”
*?Access Connect_Validation_Required: “query code”
*CloseUI: *Access ConnectValidationRequired

Note: If the PPD you are modifying already has a CUPS filter it may conflict with the Access Connect filter.

1. Modify the line Access Connect_Print_Accounting_IP to be the TCP/IP address of the Access Connect server.
2. Modify the line Access Connect_Print_Accounting_Queue_Name to be the name of the queue as it is specified in the Access Connect Administrator.
3. Modify the NickName of the PPD. There should be a line that starts *NickName:
4. This name will appear when selected during creation of a desktop printer. If you don’t modify the NickName and, instead, leave the original compressed PPD installed, you will not be able to select the modified one.
5. Save the PPD from the text editor with a .ppd extension. The standard TextEdit application asks you if you want to append a .txt extension. Click Don’t Append a .txt and do not re-compress the PPD.