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FAQ: PostScript Files

How do I create PostScript output files (such as .eps, .ps, or .pdf)?

PostScript files can be easily imported into many other applications. With the right printer drivers, Sketchpad sketches can be exported as Postscript (in .eps, .ps, or .pdf format) and used in other documents. Exporting your sketch in PostScript, rather than just copying the objects in your sketch and pasting them into another document, is useful when you are typesetting production graphics in environments such as TeX or Quark.

Creating PostScript files under Windows
Check if your printer is capable of generating pure PostScript output. (The easiest way to check is by following the steps below and trying to import into Word: if it works, it's pure PostScript; if not, you'll need to download a driver.) If your printer does not generate pure PostScript, you will need to download and install a generic PostScript driver from http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/main.html

Create an image in Sketchpad. Choose File | Print. Select the "Generic Postscript Printer" from the list of printers. Choose "Print to File" and click the Properties button. On the Properties page, click "Advanced." In the options dialog that appears, set the PostScript Output Option to EPS. Click OK twice to return to the Print dialog. Click OK in the Print dialog, and then change the output file name to use the extension ".eps".

Difficulties with Windows 7

Some Windows 7 printer drivers are unable to print .eps files. In this case the following steps should help:

  1. Go to the following Hewlett-Packard driver web site.
  2. After choosing your operating system, download the printer driver whose name includes “For Windows Postscript.”
  3. Install this driver on the 'FILE' port.  Set that printer to the default.
  4. In Sketchpad 5, select 'Print'
  5. In the print dialog, click the 'Properties' button
  6. In the 'Advanced' tab, under Document Options > PostScript options, change the 'PostScript Output Option' to 'Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)' and click OK.
  7. Click OK to the Print dialog. (Note: do not check the 'Print to file' checkbox, as this will create a .prn file instead of an .eps file.)
  8. Now, you will be presented with an un-user-friendly 'Output File Name' dialog, where you need to input the entire path to your file.  (You must choose a path that you have permissions to write to, which generally means it must be inside your User's folder.  eg.  C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\Documents\myFile.eps )