JOHNBARNES@ENH.NIST.GOV (12/01/89)
Degas to Postscript:
I handle this problem on a regular basis using the following tools:
1). Import the Degas picture into TOUCHUP and get rid of the jaggies. This
step is needed for images that are to appear large on the final page.
It is not needed for small things like logos. The procedure generally
works only for line art. I have not yet tried it with DEGAS pictures
derived from continous tone sources (VIDI ST or Computereyes).
2). Save the result as an .IMG file.
3). Import it into Timeworks' Publisher ST. This must be installed using
The Postscript option. PageStream may also work, but I am not sure
of this.
4). Print the file as Postscript. Publisher ST saves the result as a
disk file containing Postscript commands.
5). Image it out using an SLM804 with Ultrascript. It may be possible
to print the file using a printer with built-in postscript. I have
just never tried this option.
This is admittedly a high-priced solution, but not outrageously so. I
certainly get the job done more quickly than if I tried to mess around
with writing my own code for this.
It should also be noted that PicTeX is another way to get hardcopy from
an image file. Since this is an open software environment it should not
be too difficult to write a program to convert Degas to PicTeX.
PicTeX is available on the Current Notes TeX distribution kit.
While we are on this subject I would like to respond to Dylan Yolles
on the matter of TeX DVI to Postscript conversion. With my imperfect
knowledge of the subject it appeasr that such a conversion would not
make sense. The font files used to generate the DVI document in TeX
do not correspond in any sense to those used in Postscript. It is
therefore unreasonable to expect that the layout of the document would be
preserved in such a conversion.
The basic function of a DVI***.TTP program is to bit map the text for
output to a device that supports some sort of raster. Even if we assumed
that a psosctript printer could be trained to do this it would seem like
horribly inefficient use of postscript.
My experience in beta-testing the TeX distribution put together by Horace
MItchell for Current Notes is that it is best to stay in the TeX
environment once you are in it. The SLM804 is an outstanding output device
and the software runs with satisfying speed on a 1 meg or larger Atari ST.
We currently lack a DVI driver for a 24 pin printer, which would make
TeX much more affordable and accessible.
I am not sure what Dyllan's application is, but if he would care to share
it with us maybe we can find another way to solve his problem.
One final thought: Maybe the TeX for the Macintosh would run under
Spectre GCR and produce Postscript output. Has anyone tried this?scott@cs.odu.edu (Scott Yelich) (12/04/89)
> While we are on this subject I would like to respond to Dylan Yolles > on the matter of TeX DVI to Postscript conversion. With my imperfect > knowledge of the subject it appeasr that such a conversion would not > make sense. The font files used to generate the DVI document in TeX > do not correspond in any sense to those used in Postscript. It is > therefore unreasonable to expect that the layout of the document would be > preserved in such a conversion. Hmmm... Of course, I am talking about a sun system... but we use dvi2ps constantly.... -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Scott D. Yelich scott@cs.odu.edu [128.82.8.1] After he pushed me off the cliff, he asked me, as I fell, ``Why'd you jump?'' -----------------------------------------------------------------------------