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The 640 MEG Shareware Studio 2
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The 640 Meg Shareware Studio CD-ROM Volume II (Data Express)(1993).ISO
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pslib.zip
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READ.ME
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1991-02-26
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FERRET PS LIBRARY (c)
This is version 0.2 of my Postscript (PS) laser library. (Look, it's
got a name!) I've been embedding PS code in Foxbase/Foxpro for a couple
of years and I figured it was about time to develop a library of basic
PS routines. I am totally self taught so any weird programming
techniques are my own fault. That's one of the reasons I'm throwing
this out is so those of you with more knowledge of PS can tell me how
crummy this is and give me lots of good constructive criticism. (Be
nice!) (Yes, I know there are shortcuts in the PS code I'm not using but
this is a reaquaintance exercise for myself.)
The code itself is commented and a sample program is provided to give
some examples. An inspection of the library will show something
unusual, I use the ??? and I add a CR-LF to it, which makes it
functually the same as the ? and ?? operators. There is a madness to my
method. The CR-LF addition makes the code more readable if I redirect
it to a file or a memo field.
One quick note. PS works on an X-Y axis with 0,0 being the lower left of
the page. My examples parallel a line increment most of us use due to
the way the @SAY works, except you subtract instead of add. (Furture
versions may change this) With this library you can move anywhere on the
page and place text before you eject it. The sample code should help
show this. By using SET PRINTER TO file.txt you can capture the output
(required for GoScript, etc.) and see what the PS code itself looks
like.
Hopefully I'll be adding error trapping routines (still missing in this
release, but a few small ones have been added) as well as additional
functions and routines if there is any interest. This is a primitive
version of what I hope to develop.
I use Goscript Plus at home to test this stuff and an NEC LC890
at work. The Goscript Select version can be bought for about $70 for
those who want to learn PS and have an HP compatible laser or Deskjet
available. I highly recommend the books put out by Adobe Systems:
Postscript Language Tutorial and Cookbook ("The Blue Book)
Postscript Language Reference Manual ("The Red Book)
Postscript Language Program Design ("The Green Book)
I can be reached through the Darwin BBS, the Crows-Nest BBS, through
Compuserve (70346,613) or by mail.
Feel free to use these early versions without any restriction as long as
proper credit (or blame) given. I don't want anybody out there trying to
pawn it off as their own and trying to copyright it and make big bucks.
(I'll save that option for myself). (Ha! Sure you will!)
Pax!
Richard Elliott
Ferret Software
1102 Burwick Drive
Herndon, VA 22070
By the way:
Postscript is a trademark of Adobe Systems, Inc.
Goscript is a trademark of LaserGo, Inc.
Ferret PS Library is a trademark of Ferret Software
********** TECHNICAL TIDBITS ***********
1. On many PS printers you will need to end the document with TWO
??? ejectit commands to clear the printer. This is usually not
needed with PS intepreters such as GoScript.
2. Numbers are currently RIGHT JUSTIFIED, meaning the coordinates used
will be where the right side of the number will appear. This was the
easiest way to line up numbers with proportional fonts.
********** RELEASE NOTES: ***********
Version 0.1 - Released 2/20/91
Initial release with basic functions/procedures for font management,
orientation control, shading, boxes, and line drawing.
Version 0.2 - Release 2/26/91
Added or changed the following:
1. Removed macros to speed up printing.
2. Added modifications to make output more readable if sent to a file.
3. Added all 35 basic PS fonts to first 12.
4. Added variable type checking to eliminate pre-conversion of number
or date variables to character.
5. Added right-justification for numerical data.
6. Corrected small typos in information.
7. Included more hot air in READ.ME file.
Future Versions - Released ???????
Coming to a BBS near you. The following are planned upgrades:
1. More graphics routines.
2. Font special effects routines.
3. Portrait/landscape/angled text on same page.