PostScript Secrets
Don Lancaster’sPostScriptSecrets
Copyright c. 1989-91 by Don Lancaster and Synergetics Press, Box 809,Thatcher AZ 85552 (520) 428-4073ISBN 1-882193-45-8Book-on-demand self-published using the Apple IIe computer and the LaserWriter NTX.All graphics were done in their entirety by ProDos AppleWriter 2.1.
IntroductionIn April of 1987, I decided to expand my Computer Shopper coverage of theApple LaserWriter line of PostScript-speaking laser printers. What started out asa sidebar to my ongoing Ask the Guru column quickly became a new column ofits own known as Don Lancaster’s LaserWriter Corner.Don Lancaster’sPostScriptSecretsSince editorial space was severely limited, the key operative word here wasintense. In a cross between "minute manager" and "Just-the-facts-Maam" styles,each month would usually see a few concise use tips ranging the gamut fromunique beginner ideas on up to through the utterly gonzo.There would be a Material of the Month that hopefully would lead you into somenew and profitable gee-whiz uses for your LaserWriter. And a similar Publicationof the Month which would get you lots of ongoing information. While many ofthese ended up as free, all of them were thoroughly user-tested.IntroductionFinally, each month included a new Free Font. I defined a "free font" as any trickyou can apply to your already existing fonts to make them do totally new thingsin uniquely different ways. As you will see, quite a few of these are real mindblowers. All of them are original. Very few have appeared elsewhere.Despite its name, much of the column’s coverage applied to just about anyPostScript speaking laser printer and to desktop publishing in general.I always tried to let the readers in on the real inside stuff – things that Apple orAdobe or Canon or random printing equipment salesmen definitely did not wantyou knowing about.Secrets such as reducing your toner costs by 15:1 to the 0.3 cents per pagerange; completely eliminating expensive AppleTalk cables; using decent graysinstead of the seventeenth most putrid gray that most canned programs forceon you; those full color Kroy and Omnicolor processes; methods to recoat SXcartridge drums; capturing bitmaps back to the host; sight reading eexec files(any patient seventh grader can do this); finding useful service manuals andrepair parts; the hidden IWEM imagewriter emulator; workarounds for the NTXhard disk blowup insidiousities; sources of 1200 LaserWriters; the exact pixellocks for dropout free gray grids; working with random numbers and screens;unique sources for badges, stamps, barcodes, bumperstickers, and paddingcompound; useful binding systems; and great heaping bunches more.What you have here are all the original LaserWriter Corner columns rewritten,reset, and fully upgraded, in a new layout with a complete index and a new"levelling" of the topics to bring everything up to date.Incidentally, by the term "LaserWriter", I mean a LaserWriter, LaserWriter Plus,LaserWriter NT, or LaserWriter NTX. The overpriced, awful print quality, and thetotally useless black sheep of the family, that LaserWriter-SC is definitely notincluded here, since it by no stretch of the imagination deserves to even getcalled a LaserWriter.You are holding the sixth in a rapidly expanding series of my book-on-demandself-published books. Each book gets custom and individually printed as it isordered. Everything you see here was literally beat out on a brick in my ownbackyard, with some brand new economics that totally revolutionize technicalpublishing. And each new volume gets a little better than the previous ones.As always, I do maintain a free PostScript and LaserWriter help line at (602)428-4073. The best calling times are 8-5 weekdays, Mountain Standard Time.Don LancasterThatcher, ArizonaNovember, 1989For more help:(602) 428-4073
About the AuthorDon Lancaster’sPostScriptSecretsAbout theAuthorAs he said in his classic Incredible Secret Money Machine book, Don Lancasterwrites books. And quests tinajas.Microcomputer pioneer and guru Don Lancaster is the author of 26 books andcountless articles. He is considered by some to be the father of the personalcomputer for his early ground-breaking work with hacker digital electronics andlow cost video terminal displays.Some of his other titles include his CMOS and million-seller TTL Cookbooks ,Micro Cookbooks volumes I and II, Enhancing your Apple II, volumes I and II,the Applewriter Cookbook , All About Applewriter , the Active Filter Cookbook ,his Apple Assembly Cookbook, and Don Lancaster’s PostScript Beginner Stuff,along with his Introduction to PostScript videotape.Other book-on-demand titles in this ongoing series are his Hardware Hacker ,volume II, and the Ask The Guru, volumes I and II reprints.Don’s current software offerings include both his PostScript Show and Tell, andhis PostScript Technical Illustrations, plus numerous companion disks for all hisvarious books. Write or call (602) 428-4073 for a current listing.Among his popular columns, Don is well known as the Guru over in ComputerShopper , as the Hardware Hacker in Radio-Electronics magazine, and as theBlatant Opportunist in Midnight Engineering.Don is the head honcho of Synergetics, a new-age design and consulting firmspecializing in Apple computing, laser printing, electronic prototyping, desktoppublishing, technical writing, and in innovative software development. Hisavocations do include firefighting, cave exploration, bicycling, and, of course,tinaja questing.For more help:(602) 428-4073
Table of Contents9Dover art booksUnibit cartridge drillSwitch forced resetsMaking a font bolderMultiple stroking ideasSearching text markersLandscape printingPrinting ImpressionsItalic & reverse italicPostScript fractal fernHorizontal pixel locksUnibind binding system103-D lettering fontPrinting backwardsVersion 47 upgradeKroy laminating filmTypography cheat bookEncapsulated PostScript3FotofoilMetalphotoUsing the font matrixPersistant downloadsSubtle caps & numbersCX & SX repair manuals114Point RulerAdding a reset knobBlackflashing secretCoburn sheet stocksGraphic Arts MonthlySave and restore tricks12New shinyfont effectPS integers into textFrench cut envelopesReverse slash secretsU&lc typography magScotchcal & Color Key5Vertical FontsTransfer MagicBakerizing secretsTranslation sequenceAPDA Developer stuffStep-and-Repeat utility13Smaller text fontsChemical cleaningBadgemaking stuffBarcode resourcesElectronic PublishingIIgs AppleTalk hassles6Arccos and ArcsinInstant Printer magDictionary overflowsCourier font revisitedTamperproof Torx bitsFine Gray Grid Example14Fatter calligraphyFast irregular clipIn-Plant magazineKerning a numberKroy Kolor processBackwards printing7Hot stamping foilsGarbage collectionAsk The Guru I & IIRebuilt LaserWritersClassic litho chokesToner refill supplies15Font charactersDictionary orderRedefining procsLine breaker fontThe FORM-X FilmsAdobe Systemdict8Screen Printer magDouble stroked fontSilk screen suppliersDiablo page creep fixStretching waittimeoutToner Cartridge Refilling16A "Mafia" fontThe green bookSave/Restore bugPadding compondCommunications bugUsing the flying wedge1A fancy scroll borderCertificates & bordersWriting PostScript codeLaserWriters in schoolsBackwards printing fontStopping/starting test page2Don Lancaster’sPostScriptSecretsTable ofContents1Sturdy Macho fontAuto-collating trickRubber stamp glopExotic string widthsCuring white stripesWhole Earth’s SignalFor more help:(602) 428-4073
Table of Contents, continuedDon Lancaster’sLaserWriterSecrets17Font and FunctionSelf-Adhesive filmsSight-reading eexecA clip and stroke fontImageWriter emulation2-way communications25Isometric tech fontGettting badge partsNasty AppleTalk bugReal World PostScriptNTX serial to AppleTalkNTX AppleTalk to serial18Paper Plus storesUnusual boxit fontUhlrichts DictonaryPrinting to the edgeReverse slash trickerySecret 300 DPI Gray Map26Compiled PostScriptThe Printer’s ShopperNon-woven interfacingSuperinsidestroke fontPostScript superstrokingShorter makeready times19Pixie Dust magicArc-justified fontsForms ProfessionalSecrets of superexecHalftone spot patternsIBM/LaserWriter cables27Outline-and-Fill fontLaserWriter SC ripoffQuick Printing journalSneaky bitmap accessKnotting and macrameDrum recoating service20A dotted outlinerSigncraft MagazineGOCCO silk screensPersistent downloadAuto-background fontRandom number intro28Backup secretsNTX disk blowupsSignmaking catalogLaser to litho platesDirect toner printingTrue perspective font21AppleTalk cablesUnderlining rulesFomeboard sheetsPixel boundry lockingLaserWriter ReferencePopular Star Wars font29Red and Blue BooksThermal binding tapesNon-putrid grays againBrickwall setdash trickStopping NTX blowupsSneaky 3-D striped font22New banner fontDisplay PostScriptColorease processRoundpath routineInternaldict FlxProcSecret access password30Avoiding paper curlAlphabet Soups bookPixel line remappingWraparound label fontRubber stamp suppliesRandom number tricks23NTX paper jamsPen skip effects31A rather snotty fontSpeeding up a logoRedefining showpageThermal transfer tonerAdobe developer stuffBackwards green knob24Ticket BlanksA Copperplate fontIBM serial COM portsNTX second side jamsBove & Rhodes ReportZero Cost LaserWriter nets32A true radial fontDie-O-Perf productsSee-through iconsDrawing a "no" logoParchment path toolRecharger newsletterTable ofContents2For more help:(602) 428-4073Adobe IllustratorA random screenMatrocolor proofingPrinting error trapper
Table of Contents, continued33Static cling vinylLarge letters fontI/O error messagesAdobe Type ManagerFont lists & printoutsThermal binding ideas41VM errorsPhotolabelsHidden mirrorsNew Gary bookStarwars free fontKeystone justification34Autoboxing fontPostScript spiralExclusive-or procsMenu cover sourcesA Printer’s Ink bookPersistent downloads42TypeWorldMICR tonerInvalidrestoreFineline free fontArray justification35NT save level bugPrinter’s sharewareMore on roundpathStarburst font ideasMissing case commandSandblasting & etching43Log graphsStriped fontString exec trickJPEG Tech Specs9-up Post-it notesPaper printing plates36Menu font lotsadotsThat Adobe DistilleryBadge centering tricksRepeat procs for formsScoring and perforatingPassing beyond restore44Paper cup fontBakerizing filmRoman numeralsCalligraphic capsPaper out indicatorPS: A Visual Approach37Simple right justify3-D perspective fontSimple center justifyA photosensitive vinylType I font black book45Applique filmFancy bordersEmbossing fontError reportingSiggraph ProceedingsSerendipitous border38Heavy paper jamsQuick border routineHidden font characters1 500 typeface directoryPelsaer thermal binding46HygrometersA shadow fontBeeswax tricksFast insertion sortPurple Book revisedShortening filelengths39Pad printing detailsCollege pennant fontPad printing resourcesStandard Rate and DataTargeted Marketing listsNonlinear transform use47Black paperBlack stripe fixBinding systemsClassic bubble sortAuto tracking artworkSoftware Developer Kit40A keycap free fontRevised Red Book IIUseful sticker routineNTX ROM upgrade 3.0Hard coated SX drumsMake-a-Sticker variations48Vertical fontRotating textCustom kerningCustom envelopesUndefinedfilenameToner ThermographyDon Lancaster’sPostScriptSecretsTable ofContents3For more help:(602) 428-4073
To cancel your LaserWriter test page on power up, try using . . .serverdict begin 0 exitserver statusdict beginfalse setdostartpage end quit % true restores itBut note that this is not nearly as good an idea as it sounds. It is best to letyour LaserWriter run continuously, since each reboot trashes the font cache.The test page gives you a quick check on toner and paper quality. On the NTX,a start page is mandatory to verify that your hard disk has not blown up again.Here’s a good everyday scroll routine for certificates, etc. . ./bline {gsave -0.5 0 moveto 0.3 -0.6 0.7 -0.6 1 0 rcurveto strokegrestore} def/bloop { gsave -0.5 0 moveto -1 3 1 3 0 0 rcurveto stroke grestore} def/bcorner { gsave 0 -0.8 moveto 0.4 0.15 0.1 0.6 0 0.8 rcurveto -3.8 1.8-1.8 3.8 0 0 rcurveto 0.2 -0.1 0.65 -0.4 0.8 0 rcurveto stroke grestore} def/drawscrollborder {borderlinewidth borderthickness div 0.37 divsetlinewidth gsave translate borderthickness .37 mul dup scale 2.25hloops 1 sub 0.0 mul add 3.853 vloops 1 sub 1 mul add translate bcorner1.3 0 translate hloops 1 sub {bloop bline 1 0 translate } repeat bloop 0.30 translate -90 rotate bcorner 1.3 0 translate vloops 1 sub {bloop bline 10 translate } repeat bloop 0.3 0 translate -90 rotate bcorner 1.3 0translate hloops 1 sub {bloop bline 1 0 translate} repeat bloop 0.3 0translate -90 rotate bcorner 1.3 0 translate vloops 1 sub {bloop bline 1 0translate } repeat bloop grestore} defDon Lancaster’sPostScriptSecrets1A fancy scroll borderCertificates & bordersStopping the test pageLaserWriters in schoolsBackwards printing font% /// demo - remove before use. ////borderthickness 50 def /borderlinewidth 0.5 def /hloops 34 def /vloops25 def -90 rotate -792 0 translate % for landscape37 28 drawscrollborder showpage quitMATERIAL OF THE MONTH –For real CERTIFICATE AND BORDER BLANKS, try Goes Lithography. Cost is in thedime range. But be sure to thoroughly vacuum out your LaserWriter after use,since some gold print flecks may remain. From Goes Lithography 42 West 62ndStreet, Chicago, IL, 60621. (312) 684-6700 . Also available retail through thePaper Plus chain. Call (213) 436-8291 for nearest location.PUBLICATION OF THE MONTH –COMPUTER USAGE FOR SCREEN PRINTING IN EDUCATION is a free Apple Australiapublication that covers classroom uses of LaserWriters for silk screen printing,printed circuits, on glass etching, fabric printing, business cards, and for colorseparations. Through Apple Computer at 20525 Mariani Avenue, Cupertino, CA95014 (408) 996-1010.TNOF EERFBackwards printing can be most handy for store decals, auto stickers, or anyother "look through the window" uses. Here are two ways to do it . . .% To completely reverse everything on a portrait page:612 0 translate -1 1 scale % use 792 0 for landscape% To only reverse some lettering:/AvantGarde-Demi findfont [-40 0 0 40 0 0] makefont setfont300 200 moveto (This is a test) show showpage quitWhen you are just reversing some lettering, be sure to start at the right endwith your positioning!For more help:(602) 428-4073
Writing and using "raw" PostScript code Don Lancaster’sLaserWriterSecretsThe key secret to writing and using your own custom PostScript code is to usean ordinary word processor and then set up some two way comm environmentbetween your printer and host. Here’s some machine-specific details On an Apple IIe or the Apple IIgs, use AppleWriterBonusSupplement#1driving a Super Serial Card. Use your glossary to do a[Q]-I modem receive immediately after sending any file;this gives you a half duplex comm environment. To findyour printer status, do a [t]; to reset, slowly do a [c] [d].Initial recommended serial comm parameters are 9600Baud, 7 data bits, the seldom-used Space parity, 1 stopbit, and XON/XOFF handshaking activated. Use of theAppleWorks program is not recommended.How to writeand use your ownraw PostScript codeOn a Macintosh, use any old word processor tocreate your PostScript file. Then save that file as astandard ASCII textfile and not as a word processordocument. If you are using AppleTalk, send and debugyour PostScript file using Send PS or the send filefeature of the Adobe Font Downloader. If you are usingserial comm, use FreeTerm or some other suitabletwo-way communications package.On an IBM or PC Clone, you use any old wordprocessor to create your PostScript file. Then save thatfile in a standard ASCII textfile form and not as a wordprocessor document. Do NOT, under any circumstancesuse the copy LPT1 command! Instead, use Crosstalk orProTerm to send your file and receive your two-wayreturn error messages. Initial comm values can be9600 baud, 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, no parity, with theXON/XOFF activated. Use [t] to check printer status, anda slowly sent [c] [d] to force a printer reset.OOther Systemsn any, use a word processoror an editor to create a standard ASCII textfile. Thensend that file in a two way comm environment, using [t]to query status and a slow [c] [d] to force any printerreset. Start with the IBM comm parameters above.Avoid the use of any packet style network that makesreceiving error messages tricky or impossible.Regardless of your system, it is essential that the LaserWriter is idle or "solidgreen" before attempting to send any file. Later on, you may want to add aprinting error trapper to help you with your debugging. These are available inthe Adobe developer tools disk or in my PostScript Beginner Stuff book/diskcombo package.For more help:(602) 428-4073Once your raw PostScript is working to your satisfaction, you can import it intomost any applications package by converting it into an Encapsulated PostScriptor EPS file. Full details on these files appear in the free EPS ap-note from AdobeSystems at (415) 961-4400.
To automatically collate your LaserWriter or LaserWriter Plus output, just placeyour printer on a two-drawer filing cabinet and open the top drawer. The pageswill automatically flop over in the right order.The PostScript command that’s used to select landscape printing is . . .-90 rotate -792 0 translateDon Lancaster’sPostScriptSecretsThis usually will get placed very near the beginning of your PostScript file, andshould preceed any other translations, rotations, or scalings.Tolock things to exact one, two, three, or four pixel horizontal boundaries,use one of these commands:currentpoint transform round exch round exch itransform movetocurrentpoint transform 2 div round 2 mul exch round exch itransform movetoFree order reversalcurrentpoint transform 3 div round 3 mul exch round exch itransform movetoLandscape printingcurrentpoint transform 4 div round 4 mul exch round exch itransform movetoPrinting ImpressionsThese are handy for fine and dropout-free gray grids or for the elimination ofvariable widths of thin lines. Vertical pixel locks can also be done. Justeliminate all of the exch commands from the above listings.Horizontal pixel locksItalic & reverse italicUnibind binding systemMATERIAL OF THE MONTH –The UNIBIND system is the best I’ve found so far for small scale perfect bookbinding. The covers are clear vinyl with a hot glue strip down them; they areideal for protecting toner-over-parchment title sheets. Cost is around a dollarper book. The machine is a simple toaster, and is available on free lease if youpurchase enough covers. Unibind , from Leonard’s Distributors at 4125Prospect, Carmichael, CA, 95608. (916) 967-6401.PUBLICATION OF THE MONTH –PRINTING IMPRESSIONS is a free middle-of-the-road printer’s trade journal withlots of ads for paper, materials, machinery, and services in it. From PrintingImpressions , 410 North Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19108. (215) 238-5300 .They also publish many other useful magazines.FREE FONTIngeneral, if an italic or oblique version of a font is available, it should getused. But the Benguiat type you see here is not yet available in italic, so youhave to fake it. Here is how you can tamper with the third value in the fontmatrix to get any amount of lean you want . . dfontfindfontfindfont[40[40[40[40000014 40 0 0] makefont setfont} def10 40 0 0] makefont setfont} def6 40 0 0] makefont setfont} def2 40 0 0] makefont setfont} indfontfindfontfindfont[40[40[40[400000-2 40 0 0] makefont setfont} def-6 40 0 0] makefont setfont} def-10 40 0 0] makefont setfont} def-14 40 0 0] makefont setfont} def0 0 moveto 2 0 font1 (F) ashow 2 0 font2 (R) ashow 2 0 font3 (E) ashow 2 0font4 (E ) ashow 2 0 font5 (F) ashow 2 0 font6 (O) ashow 2 0 font7
Secrets About the Author For more help: (602) 428-4073 About the Author As he said in his classic Incredible Secret Money Machine book, Don Lancaster writes books. And quests tinajas. Microcomputer pioneer and guru Don Lancaster is the author of 26 books and countless articles.
Using T E X Fonts in the Gnuplot Postscript Terminal Harald Harders, h.harders@tu-bs.de 2003-03-03 The Postscript terminal can embed Postscript Type1 fonts (with extensions .pfa and .pfb ) andrueTType fonts (extension .ttf ) 1 using the command set terminal postscript fontfile '' The fontfile option can be used multiple times.
does so with a forged PostScript file object. CVE-2015-2545 Details CVE-2015-2545 is a use-after-free vulnerability in forall enumeration in Encapsulated PostScript (EPS). Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) is a DSC-conforming PostScript document with additional restrictions that is intend
Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me Installing the Adobe PostScript Printer Driver Install Adobe PostScript 4.5.3 printer driver onto Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows Me by following the procedure below. This section describes how to install the pr inter driver for Windows 98, as an example.
HP DesignJet Z6610 60-in Production Printer 2QU13 HP DesignJet Z6810 42-in Production Printer 2QU12 HP DesignJet Z6810 60-in Production with PostScript/PDF upgrade 2QU14 HP DesignJet Z6610 60-in Production with PostScript/PDF upgrade 2QU13 HP DesignJet Z6810 42-in Production with PostScript/PDF upgrade 2QU12 2 Chapter 1 Introduction ENWW
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(1)Put in place a system for identifying trade secrets Identifying and categorizing the trade secrets is a prerequisite for starting a trade secret protection program. The steps taken to protect your trade secrets should be dictated by the nature of the secrets themselves. a.The basic questions to ask
l'équipe de Soft Secrets. Hugo Madera, le rédacteur de l'édition espagnole de Soft Secrets est même venu accompa-gné de plusieurs amis pour participer au jury. Et grâce aux potes hollan-dais du secteur venu y accomplir leur devoir, ce fut un événement réelle-ment international. Avec les lois en application en Tchéquie,
Secrets of War: Themes Secrets and Lies Most of the major characters in the film either tell overt lies or keep secrets from each other. While these are lies are usually designed to protect loved ones from either physical danger or emot
