This is the README for pdf2ps.2.18a.s.tar.gz [Download] [Browse] [Up]
This is the README file for pdf2ps.pl, a perl script to convert Adobe
Acrobat "PDF" files to PostScript (Level2 only !), PDF-1.0 and PDF-1.1.
Current version is 2.18a. (Now binary proof !)
Usage:
pdf2ps.pl [-abxhtv3] document[.pdf]
Besides some diagnostic messages (and possibly warnings
about all the stuff it doesn't know to handle) this will
produce a file "document.ps" in the same directory as
the input file, and possibly a file "document.thumb.ps"
if thumbnails are present in the file (unless supressed with -t).
That's roughly all to say about it. It might produce a
really large prolog, where all images are contained. This
could raise problems on printers with small memory. Some
day I'll put such stuff into the PageProlog instead of
the document prolog, this might help a little.
Missing features:
- support for TrueType (Type42) fonts
- substitution of fonts not included in the file by MM fonts
- handling of crop rectangles
- handling of rotated pages
- handling of new PDF-1.1 calibrated color spaces
- output of text in annotations into e.g. "document.annot.ps"
- ... (don't mind to give me some ideas)
Should run with perl 4.036 as well as with perl5.00x. (I hope - I use 5.000)
Options:
-a produce ASCII85 encoded data (default, SLOW, smallest pure 7-Bit files)
-x produce HEX encoded data (fast, rather large pure 7-Bit files)
-b produce possibly binary data (fastest, might mess up data transfer)
-h print this message and exit
-t don't generate seperate PS file with thumbnails
-v be a bit more verbose
-3 fake all Type3 fonts as Times-Roman
Known problems:
The ProcSet in the prolog uses binary object sequences. This is a
Level 2/DPS feature which causes problems on some PS clones. E.g.,
GhostScript up to version 3.33 doesn't like it. (But GS 3.33 knows to
display PDF files itself). In severe cases I can provide a workaround.
Feature?:
Beginning with version 2.12, pdf2ps will produce 7bit printable ASCII
output by default (PDF might contain 8bit data which was retained in
earlier versions). This will cause increased runtime, increased output
file size and increased transfer time to your printer. It is however
neccessary because some control characters might otherwise perform
job control commands on the printer like "end of job" or others.
pdf2ps tries to figure out itself where such encoding is needed.
By default encoding is done with ASCII85 encoding ("btoa"). This is
very slow in perl but the most compact (7-bit) format. You may choose
good ole HEX encoding with "-x", which is much faster but generates
considerably larger files. If all your transmission chanels are
8-bit clean you might consider the -b (binary) option which leaves
all binary data untouched - this is the fastest and smallest but
might cause the data transfer to the printer fail totally.
Format: Binary Ascii85 Hex
Size: 100 % <= 125 % <= 200 %
Time: 100 % 150-800 % ~ 130 %
Disclaimer:
This is just a crude hack. It was never intended to become a "real"
program - I just wanted to play around a little with the PDF format.
If it works for you - fine. If it doesn't, you can drop me a note,
and I'll see what I can do. Occasionally I will also expand its
functionality (perhaps upon request), but as I have some other work
to do, I'll do so on a decreased priority.
It works for the most files I tested it with, but it might make
assumptions on the file structure where the PDF specs allow a wider range.
In short: use at your own risk.
Have fun
Detlev
droege@informatik.uni-koblenz.de
Copyright (C) 1993-1995 Detlev Droege
You may freely use and distribute the script, but you must not charge
any money or other value for it, remove the copyright notice or claim
that you (or someone else other than me) wrote it.
--
Detlev Droege, Uni Koblenz, FB Informatik, Rheinau 1, D-56075 Koblenz, Germany
Tel:+49 261 9119-421,Fax:-497,NeXT/MIME/Email:droege@informatik.uni-koblenz.de
These are the contents of the former NiCE NeXT User Group NeXTSTEP/OpenStep software archive, currently hosted by Netfuture.ch.