[comp.graphics] Wanted: Postscript to HPGL Laserjet

davel@vision.UUCP (davel) (07/25/89)

We have two printers here...one is capable of postscript, so we already have
_lots_ of postscript stuff generated. Unfortunately, the other printer is _not_
capable of postscript interpretation, so...

Does anyone know of/have access to/can mail me a bit of code (for either Unix
or MS/DOS) that would convert a postscript file into a form suitable for
sending to a HP Laserjet+ ?

Thanks in advance.

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ecf_ulw@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU (Lee Watkins) (07/28/89)

I have this add from a PC retailer in New Jersey in the US that
describes a program called GoScript, which supposedly allows
postscript output to be printed on a HP DeskJet (which uses the same
printer language as the LaserJet, PCL, which BTW is not the same as
the HP plotter language HPGL).  It must be a translator, but someone
suggested to me that the name is a pseudonym for GhostScript, a
product of the Free Software Foundation (the GNU people).

Lee Watkins 

wesf@watdcsu.waterloo.edu ( FROM W - COMPUTING SERVICES ) (07/31/89)

In article <2145@jhunix.HCF.JHU.EDU> ecf_ulw@jhunix.UUCP (Lee Watkins) writes:
>I have this add from a PC retailer in New Jersey in the US that
>describes a program called GoScript, which supposedly allows
>postscript output to be printed on a HP DeskJet (which uses the same
>printer language as the LaserJet, PCL, which BTW is not the same as
>the HP plotter language HPGL).  It must be a translator, but someone
>suggested to me that the name is a pseudonym for GhostScript, a
>product of the Free Software Foundation (the GNU people).
>
>Lee Watkins 

There is indeed a conversion program called GoScript, and also one called
Freedom of Press.  They are software implementations of PostScript that 
allow you to print PostScript on non-PostScript printers.  To the best of
my knowledge, HPGL is NOT one of the output formats that they can translate
to (the vector/raster dichotomy).  I believe they are both reviewed in the
April 11, 1989 edition of PC Magazine (p. 218 ?).

				Wes From
				Department of Computing Services
				University of Waterloo
				wesf@watdcsu.waterloo.edu

vic@zen.co.uk (Victor Gavin) (08/01/89)

In article <6161@watdcsu.waterloo.edu> wesf@watdcsu.waterloo.edu ( FROM W    - COMPUTING SERVICES    ) writes:
>There is indeed a conversion program called GoScript, and also one called
>Freedom of Press.  They are software implementations of PostScript that 
>allow you to print PostScript on non-PostScript printers.  To the best of
>my knowledge, HPGL is NOT one of the output formats that they can translate
>to (the vector/raster dichotomy).  I believe they are both reviewed in the
>April 11, 1989 edition of PC Magazine (p. 218 ?).
>
>				Wes From

GoScript and Freedom of the Press only run on IBM PC-a-likes. The review said
that they basically worked, didn't produce the same output as each other or a
postscript printer and were vvvvveeeeerrrrryyyy ssssssllllooooowwww.

GhostScript from GNU is an interpreter for displaying postscript on bitmapped
displays. I have been informed that in the next release it will allow the
images to be saved to a file and from there they can be dumped to a raster
printer.

I can't remember but I don't think that any of them come with Adobe fonts.

			vic
--
Victor Gavin						Zengrange Limited
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..!mcvax!ukc!zen.co.uk!vic				Leeds England
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pfafman@manta.NOSC.MIL (David F. Pfafman) (08/04/89)

>Does anyone know of/have access to/can mail me a bit of code (for either Unix
>or MS/DOS) that would convert a postscript file into a form suitable for
>sending to a HP Laserjet+ ?


There is a very good program called GoScript by Lasergo. Inc.  which
does exactly what you want.  However it is not  Public Domain and costs
$195.  At least that is what it cost a year or so ago it may be cheeper
now, I don't know.  GoScript supports not only Laserjets but Dot matrix
and ink jet printers as well.

Disclaimer: This is strictly my opinion I have no ties to LaserGo, Inc.

Dave Pfafman
Computer Resource Center NOSC