Using ps2pdf in Linux
There is a Linux utility called ps2pdf which will convert from a PostScript file to PDF format.
The syntax for using ps2pdf is as follows:
ps2pdf source.ps output.pdf
You can convert a document to PostScript from Windows by installing a non-existing PostScript printer which prints to file.
Using Windows and Linux to Generate PDF Documents
Method Win-Linux:
Use Windows to print to a PostScript printer driver. Linux will then be able to convert the PostScript file to .PDF.
| Operating System Used: | Windows 2000 Professional | |
| Source Document Format: | Microsoft Word | |
| Solution to convert from .DOC to .PS: | Install a PostScript Printer | |
| Printer Driver Installed (Non-Existing Printer): | “HP Color LaserJet PS” | |
| Local Printer Port Used: | “file: Print to File” |
I then made the following adjustments in the printer configuration
section (Make these changes under Start, Settings, Printers):
HP Color LaserJet PS Advanced Options:
| Graphic: TrueType Font: | Substitute with Device Font | |
| Document Options: PostScript Options: PostScript Output Option: | Optimize for Portability | |
| Document Options: PostScript Options: TrueType Font Download Option: | Outline |
Then print your Microsoft Word Document to the non-existing PostScript Printer.
The print driver will then ask for a filename and location to save the print job.
Then copy the file to Linux, then
run ps2pdf filename.ps filename.pdf
After a short bit you will have a finished filename.pdf
Check out filename.pdf and see if it looks correct using your .PDF reader.
Suggestions for making a portable .PDF is to have the fonts embedded in the .PDF document. This will of course make the .PDF file a bit larger than being without the embedded fonts. If you are using basic fonts then there shouldn’t be much of a problem with this, that is why I have chosen to “Substitute with Device Font”.
Other Choices for “Graphic: TrueType Font:”
- Substitute with Device Font
- Download as SoftFont
Other Choices for “Document Options: PostScript Options: PostScript Output Option:”
- Optimize for Speed
- Optimize for Portability
- Encapsulated PostScript (EPS)
- Archive Format
Other Choices for “Document Options: PostScript Options: TrueType Font Download Option:”
- Automatic
- Outline
- Bitmap
- Native TrueType
After I finished the above method (ps printer with proper settings and then ps2pdf) I couldn’t tell the difference between the .DOC and the .PDF when both were printed on my “Lexmark Optra S 2450” printer (and both printed from the same Windows 2000 Professional workstation).
The first time I viewed the .PDF the fonts were really bad, then I adjusted the PostScript printer settings, now the final result is very clean. I am pleased with the conversion.
Using Linux Only to Generate PDF Documents
More information will be available on this method “after” I do it myself.
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