Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!cs.utexas.edu!sun-barr!newstop!texsun!csccat!larry
From: larry@csccat.UUCP (Larry Spence)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.postscript
Subject: Re: Postscript Interpreter
Message-ID: <3542@csccat.UUCP>
Date: 9 Feb 90 22:21:44 GMT
References: <28315@brunix.UUCP> <2173@scorn.sco.COM> <17892@rpp386.cactus.org>
Reply-To: larry@csccat.UUCP (Larry Spence)
Organization: Computer Support Corporation. Dallas,Texas
Lines: 49

In article <17892@rpp386.cactus.org> woody@rpp386.cactus.org (Woodrow Baker) writes:
>In article <2173@scorn.sco.COM>, bobs (Bob Stayton, Yoyodoc) writes:
>> 
>> >Does anyone know of any software, public domain or not, that
>> >can parse postscript output from any drawing program and
>> >convert it back to some typed format?
>> 
>> The latest PC Publishing magazine reviews Arts & Letters
>> Graphics Editor 2.0 that includes a stand-alone conversion
>> utility named Decipher that can "read and translate
>> virtually any Postcript file", including custom-written
>
>I have been using A & L rather extensively.  It works well.  Even though
>I have sent in my registration card, and recieved the co-processor version,
>I still have not recieve Decipher, or the remaining clip art that is promised
>for returning the card.  Evidently, the good folk are a tad behind, or the
>product has not been released yet.  I don't know which, and I am waiting
>for it to come.  When It does, I'll post a summary of how well it works.
>
>Larry Spence who did a lot of A&L follows this group, and can probably
>shed some light on the topic.  How about it, Larry?

Disclaimer:  I am an employee of Computer Support Corp., publishers of
Arts & Letters.  Product info follows which will be boring to many.  Hit
"n" before it's too late!

If Woody didn't get his Decipher and extra clip-art, he should call our
sales department at (214) 661-8960.  I can personally guarantee that both 
Decipher and the extra clip art have been shipping in large volumes since
at least November (October?).  Anyone who sends in a registration card
should get all the goodies.  The latest release as of 2/9/89 is v2.02.

In brief, Decipher is a software interpreter which renders PostScript
graphics into the A&L file format.  If your PS has a loop that draws
100 Beziers, the A&L file will contain 100 Beziers.  If there are images
in the PS file, they get translated into TIFF files, and are linked to
the A&L file.  Decipher reads the "flat" Illustrator/Freehand formats,
but can also build general dictionaries, execute conditionals, etc.  Once 
the PS file is in A&L-native format, A&L can read it and export it as CGM, 
SCODL, TIFF, EPS, or Windows Metafiles.

I've already posted way too much on A&L in previous postings, so if you
have further questions, please call our Sales or Tech Support people.
Thanx.

-- 
Larry Spence
larry@csccat
...{texbell,texsun,attctc}!csccat!larry