Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!ames!ucsd!sdcsvax!ucsdhub!hp-sdd!hplabs!hpfcdc!hpfclm!hpfcdj!allen
From: allen@hpfcdj.HP.COM (Allen Norskog)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: PrintScript - Postscript Interpreter
Message-ID: <17110005@hpfcdj.HP.COM>
Date: 29 Mar 89 16:14:22 GMT
References: <17110004@hpfcdj.HP.COM>
Organization: Hewlett Packard -- Fort Collins, CO
Lines: 78

It seems to appear that my first posting on PrintScript, which described
some of the features, didn't really get sent around.  Anyway, here
is some info.  Sorry if it is a repeat to many.

PrintScript is from Pixelations and costs $89.  They started shipping
in February.  I saw their ad in the back of AmigaWorld.

Printer support:
You can use the Preference printers or they have special drivers for
a few printers such as the HP LaserJet and HP DeskJet.  Their DeskJet
driver makes use of the DeskJet's ability to read Run-Length-Encoded
data (compressed) to speed up printing.  If you use a LaserJet, you
need to be sure you have enough memory in the printer to hold a whole
page of graphic data, (>=1Meg), as you would expect.  You do not
need extra memory for the DeskJet.  You do not need font cartridges
either.

Print quality:
The program reads the description of the page size (which you set up
with a little configuration program) and the resolution of your
printer.  It builds its own internal bitmap based on this.  It appears
to me that it doesn't simply go out and make one big bitmap, but allocates 
parts based on where you are printing on the page.  That is it doesn't
always grab 1Meg for a full size 300dpi page.

The program comes with equivalent of Times-Roman and Helvetica fonts.
These are Postscript scalable fonts.  I've printed out letters several
inches tall, and they looked great.

You may want to use multiple configuration files -- one that prints
at 75dpi and one at 300dpi.  Using the 75dpi mode will run faster
as it has to compute a lot less dots.  This would be good for preliminary
layout where you want to make sure you have placed things correctly
on the page.  When you're ready, print at 300dpi.

The program supports most of the Postscript commands.  You can do
gray-scale, images, rotate text, etc.  I have used it with CityDesk
and excellence! and it has worked well with both.  A couple things
that are missing are arbitrary clipping (though you can to rectangular
clipping) and dashed lines (you always get solid).  The program
does not support color at this time.

The program can also write its bitmap out to a file.  It uses a
run-length-encoding technique for this to reduce the file size.  I
am making use of this capability in my screen previewer.

Screen previewer:
PrintScript doesn't come with a previewer, so I've been working
up my own.  It's getting in pretty good shape now.  I basically
use the program's ability to write data to a file.  I read the
file, and display it.  I have two display modes -- one that
shows the whole page on the screen, and one that shows a more
detailed look at part of the page.  

Other:
I am using an A1000 with 1.5Meg,  I have been able to do some
full page printouts with this.  I think it might be tough
if you only have 1Meg.  Pixelations says it can run on 1Meg
(probably for low dpi printers) but recommend 2Meg.  Their
flyer that they sent me said it could make use of a 68881
math chip - but I've never verified this.

A full page with text took about 30 minutes - about 20 minutes
to compute the page, and 10 minutes to convert their bitmap
and send it to the printer.  A lot of (perhaps simpler) things are
taking in the 10-20 minute range to run and print.

Hope this helps.  Let me know if you have any other questions.


Allen Norskog
allen_n@hpfcla.hp.com
...!hplabs!hpfcla!allen_n

Disclaimer:
I have no affiliation with any of the above mentioned products/companies
except my employer Hewlett-Packard which manufactures the DeskJet and
LaserJet printers.