How to send a PS file to a Win GDI Printer

[BOB MECHLER]

If I have a PostScript File and don't want to convert to a PDF for printing because I don't want to have to use Acrobat reader or a commercial tool to do it, isn't there a way to send PostScript level 2 files directly to any printer using a Windows GDI driver?

In reviewing GSVIEW it gives you a choice of Ghostscript or Windows GDI Printer but again, I don't know enough to take a PS file and send it to a dumb 'WinPrinter'. Sending to a PostScript enabled printer I know is just sending the file directly but the sensible thing to me is to use a method that doesn't care what printer is out there as the default printer.

Loading a PS file into GSVIEW, I can send it to my HP LaserJet 5p and it prints fine. Sending it directly produces garbage.

Any help would be appreciated.

Every report we create gives the option for preview or print now. It's my idea to create a PDF for a preview (easy to do with free PDF Printer software) and a PS file for printing now since I don't want to have to deal with Acrobat Reader and DDE and AxAcroPDFLib and all that stuff.

Is this nuts!!?

Bob Mechler

[Simon Morgan]

Postscript is not natively supported in Windows nor in any 'normal' printer driver. The only things that can deal with a Postscript file are (1) a Postscript printer, or (2) software that incorporates a Postscript interpreter, such as Ghostscript.

Therefore, you can't get an ordinary Windows printer to interpret and print a Postscript file without using additional software.

[BOB MECHLER]

Thanks Simon.

Is the flow

PS -> Ghostscript -> Bitmap -> any laser printer?

Bob Mechler

[BOB MECHLER]

The answer is installing Ghostscript 8.63 and using the following through ShellExecute.

gswin32c -q -sDEVICE=mswinpr2 -dNOPAUSE -dBATCH culand2.pdf

Bob Mechler