RE: UNIX PostScript (Was: Distiller Trivia)

[Dov Isaacs <isaacs@xxxxxxxxx>]

With FrameMaker, the advantages of keeping PDF creation entirely on
Windows as opposed to UNIX are several:

(1) Full support for TrueType and OpenType fonts.

(2) An integrated environment, including support for OLE links 
(if used) to data in other applications, etc.

(3) Print subsystem support for arbitrary page sizes, multiple
resolutions, etc. in the generated PostScript.

(4) PostScript is optimized for PostScript 3 as opposed to 
PostScript Level 1.

Having said that, I will point that I am NOT trying to convince
anyone that is currently using any of the UNIX platforms on which
FrameMaker is still supported to abandon that for Windows. If you
have a workflow under UNIX that meets your needs, great. Ultimately,
the real issue is whether you are getting your work done with the
desired quality in the necessary timeframe at an acceptable cost.

HOWEVER, that is very different from encouraging someone using
FrameMaker under Windows to shell out (pun intended) many, many,
many, many dollars (euros / pesos / shekels / whatever) to buy
a proprietary UNIX workstation, a UNIX FrameMaker license, a
UNIX Acrobat license, etc. simply for the privilege of producing
FrameMaker PostScript. I see no advantage to this whatsoever for
99.999+% of users of FrameMaker under Windows and for many users
and workflows, it doesn't work at all!!

        - Dov



At 3/22/2002 01:33 AM, Thomas Michanek wrote:
>(corrected a misspelling in the Subject line...)
>
>> The PostScript generated by FrameMaker under UNIX is quite "bland"
>> and I doubt whether there is anything in it that would cause any
>> problems with distillation.
>
>OK. This begs the question: are there any advantages with the PostScript
>generated in Windows when printing from FM to a properly configured
>Acrobat Distiller printer? Is it in any way "better" than the generic
>PS created by FM on UNIX, for the purpose of distillation to PDF?
>Are there perhaps PDF features that are better supported, e.g. color?
>
>Jeanette Feldhousen wrote:
>> I've seen a big advantage distilling on UNIX--
>> [snip]
>> For this reason we do all of our postscript creation for PDFs on UNIX
>> instead of Windows.
>
>Another big advantage with creating PDF from FM on UNIX is the size
>of the intermediate PostScript file and the resulting PDF file. In my
>experience, they are significantly smaller on UNIX compared to Windows,
>without losing any features or resolution, as far as I can tell.
>Not to mention that you can automate and batch PDF creation without
>user intervention and without using any third-party software.
>
>So, if you have the choice to produce PDF files from FM on UNIX or
>from FM on Windows, I would recommend you to try UNIX. Unless Dov
>can pinpoint any direct disadvantages or shortcomings.
>
>(Perhaps this is one way to solve the PDF creation troubles in
> Windows: use the PS creation code from FM on UNIX and bypass the
> drivers (when the user selects to create PDFs, not otherwise).
> The Print dialog is certainly more user-friendly on UNIX.)
>
>
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
>Thomas Michanek, Technical Writer
>IAR Systems AB, Sweden: http://www.iar.com
>mailto:Thomas.Michanek@iar.se
>Tel: +46 18 167800, Fax: +46 18 167838
>- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -


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