Generating EPS or PostScript File from LaserWriter 8.x Driver

• Macintosh system software versions 7.0, 7.01, 7.1

SUMMARY

The Apple LaserWriter driver versions 8.0 and later make it possible to export a document's image as an EPS file from any application. This is a new feature in the Apple LaserWriter 8.x, Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet 8.x, and Adobe PSPrinter 8.x drivers.

MORE INFORMATION

The Apple and HP PostScript drivers are based on the Adobe PSPrinter driver and therefore share the same characteristics. These drivers can generate four types of PostScript/EPS files: PostScript Job, EPS Mac Standard Preview, EPS Mac Enhanced Preview, and EPS No Preview. Each of these formats can be saved as ASCII or binary files, and you can select either the Level 1 Compatible option or the Level 2 Only option.

In addition, these drivers also support inclusion of font descriptions in the exported EPS or PostScript file. There are three options: None, All, and All But Standard 13.

To access the dialog box for creating a PostScript or EPS file, follow these steps:

1. Open the document for which you want to create a PostScript or EPS file.

2. For Destination, select the File option button. (The Print button then changes to a Save button.

3. Choose the Save button. (The printer driver then displays a dialog box containing EPS and PostScript file options and a place to enter a filename.)

Definition Of Terms

Following are definitions of the Adobe PSPrinter driver options mentioned above:

PostScript Job: This option saves a standard PostScript file, which can contain all the commands and operators in the Adobe PostScript language. This option generates a PostScript file that is useful for transport purposes (moving the file to a machine connected to a PostScript device when no PostScript device is available on the Macintosh on which the document was created). Formatting and fonts are preserved entirely, provided the fonts are available on the sending machine.

EPS Mac Standard Preview: This option generates an EPS file with a standard black-and-white Macintosh preview image. Use this option to minimize file size but provide an image for viewing the EPS file on the screen.

EPS Mac Enhanced Preview: This option generates an EPS file with a color Macintosh preview image, which can be printed to nonPostScript printers when inserted in an application document.

EPS No Preview: This option generates an EPS file that does not contain a Macintosh preview image. This format can be used on other platforms (MS-DOS, Windows, and UNIX). This format also minimizes the file size of the resulting EPS file because no embedded preview image is included.

NOTE: Because of the strict definition of an EPS file, it can contain data for one page of a document only. If you want to generate EPS files for your entire document, each page must be printed separately to an EPS file. A PostScript file can contain multiple pages, but generally, PostScript files cannot be imported in applications as EPS files can.

Level 1 Compatibility: This option generates a PostScript or EPS file that is compatible with both PostScript Level 1 and 2 devices.

Level 2 Only: This option generates a PostScript or EPS file that is compatible only with PostScript Level 2 devices.

ASCII: This option saves the PostScript or EPS file as a plain text file using only ASCII values 32-127. This option is necessary for transmitting the file through modes that support only the lower ASCII values. This is the normal format for PostScript files.

Binary: This option saves the file in 8-bit binary format. Using binary format can speed up printing, but the printer must be capable of receiving binary data.