[softwarelist] Re: pdf, ovation, risc oss

In message <dbc302164e.roger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
          Roger Foden <roger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> In message <377e60154e.martin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>           Martin Wuerthner <public@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> I have uploaded a RISC OS port of GhostScript 8.50 to
>>   http://www.mw-software.com/software/ghostscript/gs850_100.zip
>> 
>> It is a full replacement for the previous ports (version 7.03 and
>> earlier). The archive is not yet linked from the main GhostScript page
>> because this is not an official release yet, just a preview for those
>> who are interested. Comments are welcome (to me, not to this list).

I knew the request not to discuss it on the list would not work. ;-) 
As long as we discuss PDF generation from OP documents, it might be 
relevant for this list though. For all other matters I suggest using 
the GhostScript mailing list (send an e-mail to 
ghostscript-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx to join).

> I've tried your port of GhostScript.
>
> Attempting to convert a 13 page Impression document produced only the
> PDF script preamble (70bytes).

And you did not see any error messages? Try it in a TaskWindow which 
would allow you to see error messages from GhostScript. Simply type 
*psp2df <input PS file> <output PDF file>

> The document makes extensive use of the 'Wessex' and 'Revue' fonts,
> which are converted to bitmap by the PS printer.

"by the PS printer"? You mean by the RISC OS PostScript printer 
driver? No, the driver does not do that. Never.

> It is printed at 50% scale, giving 4 pages to an A4 page. (Award cards
> for our photgraphic club.)
> 
> Reducing the demand to just 1 page produced a .pdf file, but the
> bitmap reproduction of the fonts was poor.

This is very unusual because only GhostScript 7.03 converts text to 
bitmaps. One of the big advantages of the 8.50 port is that it does 
not do that.

> An example of the 'Paladin' font (Palatino) was converted by GS 8.5 to
> Homerton(Helvetica); to Trinity by GS 7.30

Again, this is very unusual. I think this can only happen if something 
is not set up correctly. There are three things that can happen to a 
font during PS printing:
1) if it has a Type-1 file, the Type-1 file is included
2) if you have configured it to be mapped to a PostScript name, this
   name is used and nothing is included
3) else a Type-3 font is generated

Font substitution in GhostScript can only happen in case 1) above if 
the Type-1 file is invalid or in case 2) above if you have specified 
an incorrect mapping or, again, in case 2) if your copy of GhostScript 
has not been set up correctly.

> Returning to GS 7.30 the .pdf file gave (to my eyes) an excellent
> representation of the Impression document.
> 
> The GS 8.50 pdf file was 31K
> The GS 7.30 pdf file was 43K
>             reflecting the drop in resolution with GS 8.50
> 
> I take the liberty of attaching the two pdf files.

The list does not allow any attachments and the PostScript file is 
more important anyway. Please send the PS file and the PDF files to me 
directly.

Martin
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Martin Wuerthner          MW Software          martin@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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