axel@coma.UUCP (Axel Mahler) (02/12/88)
More than a year ago, I posted the first version of 'mfps', my GEM Metafile to PostScript conversion utility to comp.sys.atari.st. The reception was positive enough that I continued working on the program. Today, I'm posting a new version of the program which has a number of bugs fixed and several new features. Most important are the extensions to the way text objects are handeled, and the support for Adobe's 'Encapsulated PostScript File format' (EPSF). EPSF is the basis for linking PostScript images into the output of your favorite word-processor. Well, right now, this statement may be a bit overdrawn but some day in the near future it will be valid. However, at a number of sites, mfps is in daily use to incorporate images created with GemDraw and EasyDraw into TeX and Troff formatted documents. If there's enough interest, I'd be willing to post a set of TeX macros that do the job for the 'dvi2ps' PostScript driver. For Troff there are some more problems to handle. Originally, I intended to publish the program in comp.binaries.atari.st but the moderator (turner@daisy) seems to be away (Hey, Jim are you still out there ???). The Posting consists of 5 parts. Together, these parts make up a uuencoded .arc file. For people, who like to upload their metafiles to a UNIX machine, there's also a UNIX version of mfps available on special request. >>> When you prepare the five parts of the posting for unpacking, don't >>> forget to delete the .signature-s at the end of each part. enjoy, Axel. ------------ So, here are the checksums: Name Length Stowage SF Size now Date Time CRC ============ ======== ======== ==== ======== ========= ====== ==== COPYRIGH 527 Crunched 33% 357 15 Dec 87 2:07a cb0a FITPS.MAN 4588 Crunched 49% 2376 15 Dec 87 2:07a 3eb3 FITPS.TTP 30594 Crunched 32% 20848 21 Dec 87 11:53p 7e2e MDUMP.TTP 28211 Crunched 30% 19930 15 Dec 87 2:07a 110d MFPS.MAN 4238 Crunched 47% 2277 15 Dec 87 2:07a 5cfd MFPS.TTP 53328 Crunched 27% 39379 11 Feb 88 5:53p f777 README 1427 Crunched 30% 1009 11 Feb 88 5:56p 65bb README.TOO 2600 Crunched 37% 1653 11 Feb 88 6:06p c2f2 ==== ======== ==== ======== Total 8 125513 31% 87829 And this is the README: This program enables you to combine the advantages of object oriented drawing (e.g. with GEM-draw) with the wonderful capabilities of PostScript printing devices (e.g. the Apple LaserWriter). If you're interested in the structure of VDI-metafiles, you'll with 'mdump' find a utility to print metafiles in a human readable form. The package consists of three programs: - mfps, program to convert VDI-metafiles to PostScript - mdump, this is a link to mfps. When called, it prints a human readable representation of the metafile. - fitps, to change size and position of PostScript graphics. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: 'mfps', 'fitps' and 'mdump' are copyrighted by the author. Permission is granted to copy and distribute the programs without charge provided this copyright notice is included in the copy. IMPORTANT: If you are planning to use mfps, fitps or mdump please send me a note. I'll try to maintain the the programs as well as possible (i.e. as my spare-time allows). All bug-reports and - of course - bug-fixes, as well as suggestions for improvements are most appreciated. ADDRESS: Mail comments, suggestions, trouble-reports, appreciations, gripes a.s.o. to: UUCP: unido!coma!axel or BITNET: axel@db0tui62 SNAIL: Axel Mahler, Tech.Univ. Berlin Sekr. FR 5-6 Franklinstr. 28/29 1000 Berlin 10 W-Germany Tel.: +49 30 314 73487 -- Axel Mahler, Tech.Univ. Berlin UUCP: axel@coma.uucp (unido!coma!axel) BITNET: axel@db0tui62.bitnet