PSPV - A PostScript PreViewer v 1.0
MS-DOS Version

By
Greg Silva
(c) 1992



Introduction
-------------

PSPV allows the user to translate Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) files
into their ASCII equivalents. This means that all font information
is disregarded, as well as all graphics. It also means that the text
can be printed on any printer, and the translated file will be smaller
than the original PostScript file.


Running PSPV
------------

The translator is run from the command line with the following syntax:

PSPVDOS Filename.extension

The program will create a file with the same filename and a TXT extension
in the same directory as the original file. The program should be placed
in a directory in the path to allow it to run anywhere on your system.

Relative directory references should not be used with the filename. For
example, if you were in the directory C:\DIR1\DIR3 and wanted to translate
a file in C:\DIR1\DIR3, use

PSPVDOS C:\DIR1\DIR2\FILE.PS

instead of

PSPVDOS ..\DIR\FILE.PS

Or just change to the C:\DIR1\DIR2 directory and run PSPV.

To view the ASCII file use the MS-DOS editor, Windows Write or some other
editor that recognizes carriage returns.


Interpreting the output
-----------------------

For simple text formatted as paragraphs, the translation is simple. When
multiple columns and fonts are used, the results are harder to translate
into straight text. The following are some ways that parts of the
PostScript file may be interpreted when converted to ASCII.

A. Multiple Columns

Text such as:


Phrase This is an explanation of a
phrase. Note that the second
column in always indented.

would translate to:

Phrase This is an explanation of a
phrase. Note that the second
column in always indented.


B. Special Fonts

Special fonts embedded within a sentence will be preceded by one
or two tabs. For example:

The last word is in italics.

would look like:

The last word is in italics .


C. Proportional Spacing

Proportional spacing is not translatable into straight text. In
section of text that use it, such as table of contents, the text
will not be aligned, and more than 80 or 90 characters per line.


D. Special Characters

Special characters such as boxes and bullets are mapped to plus
signs (+) or asterisks (*). Diamonds are mapped to at-signs (@).


E. Small fonts

This program works best will fonts of point size 8 and up. The
text should translate correctly regardless of the font size,
however the resulting text may be formatted strangely. This may
include lines being more than 100 characters long.


Notes on running PSPV
---------------------

A. Tabs

PSPV was written with tabs assumed to be 4 spaces each. Because
of the complexity of some PostScript files, extra tabs may be
placed between text, so tab stops of 3 or 4 are recommended.


B. PostScript Header

PSPV assumes that the first line of the PostScript file contains
something like:

%!PS-Adobe-x.0 BlahBlahBlah

where x is a number from 1 to 3. This number has to appear some-
where between column 9 to 13 on the first line. No text will be
generated if the number is not found.


C. Formatting

PSPV translates files in Encapsulated PostScript format into a
straight text format. To produce a file in a format that may be
easier for you to read, you should edit the resulting ASCII file
before printing out.


D. Speed

PSPV is fairly fast at translating a file. A moderately complex
PostScript file of about 1.5 megabytes takes about 8 seconds to
translate, assuming the PostScript and ASCII files are on a hard
disk.


E. Limits

The evaluation has been limited to 100,000 character after the
end of the header. You will get varying amounts of translated
text, depending on the amount of any extra font information or
graphics in the PostScript file.


Shareware
---------

This program is shareware. If you find it useful please, pay for it.
Fifteen dollars ($15 US) will register you with a single copy.

If you would like a Windows 3.x (3.1 and above) version, along with
a Windows NT version, please send twenty dollars ($20 US). You will
be sent the programs, as well as be registered for all three
versions.

Make checks payable to: Greg Silva

Mail to: Greg Silva
P.O. Box 465
Mountain View, CA 94042-0465


Disclaimer
----------

There is no warranty for this program, either expressed or implied.
In no event will I be liable for damages arising out of the use,
misuse, or inability to use the program. This includes the loss of data,
data rendered inaccurate, losses sustained by you, or a failure of the
program to operate with any other programs.


Copyrights
----------

MS-DOS, Windows, and Windows NT are registered trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation.

PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.