[comp.sys.mac] LaserWriter Driver Changes

jonabbey@walt.cc.utexas.edu (Jonathan Abbey) (10/14/89)

Greetings.. I am trying to implement a UNIX based utility which will
print out a bulletin on a series of laserwriters stationed throughout a lab.

The problem is that I want to include a postscript file generated by MacDrawII
at the beginning of the postscript file that will eventually be sent to the
laserwriters.  I know how to modify the file to include my bulletin text,
but: not all the laserwriters in the lab are running the same printer drivers.

What I need to know, is what is the difference between 5.2 and the earlier
versions of the laserwriter driver.  The MacDrawII file I want to include
was generated using the 5.2 driver.. it would not output correctly using
an earlier driver (5.1?); the ring of letters around the circular logo would
be printed out at even 90 degree positions, instead of perpendicular to the
tangent of the circle, as it was drawn.

I have successfully moved this file and the AppleDict file to the mainframe,
and when I send the MacDrawII file appended to the LaserPrep file, it works
on the 5.2 laserwriter.  Could I just send that AppleDict file to each Laser
Writer and have it work with no problems?  Or does the LaserPrep file contain
dependencies on the driver installed?

In general, then, what I need is information on the role of the LaserPrep file,
the LaserWriter driver, and the changes in 5.2.  I would be particularly
glad to get some documentation on the AppleDict procedures.  All I have to
work with right now is the Adobe red book, so if any of you could point me in
the right direction, I would appreciate it.

Also, are there any PostScript interactive editors for the Mac (I'm assuming
there are, of course), and what sort of price range do they go for?  My next
project may well be converting HPPlot to PostScript, and that would be a
useful tool.

Thanks for all responses..please send me e-mail, and I'll summarize if it
would be of interest..

  // /\   /\/\   | Jonathan Abbey - jonabbey@doc.cc.utexas.edu - (512) 926-5934
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