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From: samalone@athena.mit.edu (Stuart A. Malone)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.system
Subject: Re: Generating Postscript with TrueType
Message-ID: <1991Mar25.203300.28039@athena.mit.edu>
Date: 25 Mar 91 20:33:00 GMT
References: <48316@nigel.ee.udel.edu> <1991Mar22.033251.3536@vax5.cit.cornell.edu> <1991Mar22.144200.24389@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
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I've also had problems after installing the TrueType INIT and the new
LaserWriter driver on my SE/30 running System 6.0.7. In the past I have used
the hidden "Disk File" check box to generate PostScript code and then
downloaded the code to my Adobe PostScript DEC LN03R printer via the modem
port.  (No, I don't use a modified LaserPrep file.  The version that comes in
the Apple Color Folder on System 6.0.7 works just fine as is.)  I was delighted
to see the new "PostScript File" option in the new LaserWriter driver, but I
ran into several problems:

	1. The new PostScript files are HUGE.  They include what was 
	formerly LaserPrep, and the TrueType font definitions--even for 
	Times and Helvetica, which are, to the best of my knowledge, 
	available in ALL PostScript printers.  I had a PostScript file
	that usually takes 30k grow to over 300k.

	2. The file prints on my Adobe PostScript DEC LN03R printer
	using the TrueType fonts, even though Times and Helvetica are
	available as PostScript fonts in the printer.

	3. The TrueType fonts that come out of the LN03R look really bad
	compared to their PostScript counterparts, especially at 12 points
	or less.  Many letters like "o", "d", "g", and "f" that contain
	thin lines become disconnected at this size, and the thin cross-
	bars in the "t" and "f" nearly dissappear.

As an experiment, I've kept the TrueType INIT installed but gone back to the
LaserWriter driver that came with System 6.0.7.  So far I've had no problems,
and I'm in the best of both worlds: TrueType for screen display, and PostScript
for printing.  My worry is, what happens when I want to upgrade to System 7?  I
fear that the 6.0.7 LaserWriter driver won't work with System 7, and I'll be
faced with the unpleasant choice of either taking a step backwards in
PostScript printing or postponing my upgrade to System 7 until Adobe can
provide a new PostScript driver.  Is there some way I can get the new
LaserWriter driver to behave better?

				--Stuart A. Malone
				samalone@athena.mit.edu