PostScript Filter Specifications

The PostScript filter is Zenographics' ZScript module. It is a full-featured, level 2 PostScript language interpreter that translates PostScript page descriptions and Encapsulated PostScript (EPS) files into Windows GDI. This filter offers settings for Language Level, Accurate Images, Accurate Strokes, Accurate text clipping, and Ignore screens from PostScript file.

Language Level

Since PostScript level 1 is a subset of level 2, you should generally leave this setting on Level 2. All level 1 files and well-behaved level 2 files will work properly.

In rare instances, some level 2 files may cause errors during translation or printing. If this happens, switching to Level 1 may help get the job done. Well-written level 2 files are supposed to inquire about the level of the interpreter and dynamically accommodate the lower level interpreter. This workaround may result in some differences in the output, but these are generally not significant.

Accurate Images/Accurate Strokes

These settings are primarily for use with non-SuperDrivers. If you are using SuperDrivers, you can usually ignore these settings, leaving them in the off state.

There are inherent differences between the PostScript imaging model and the Windows GDI imaging model. SuperDrivers can compensate for some of these differences in ways that other Windows printer drivers cannot. Among these differences are scaling of color or grayscale bitmaps and rendering of lines.

With Accurate Images off, ZScript lets the chosen printer driver scale the bitmap on its own. The results you get in both throughput and quality will vary depending on the driver. With Accurate Images on, ZScript does the work of scaling the image and passing it along to the printer driver at the printer's native resolution. Use this option if your output displays either poor quality or imaging artifacts such as fine lines or unwanted patterns.

If the line widths, caps (line-end shapes), miters (shapes of corners), or dashed lines on your output are not accurate, try turning Accurate Strokes on. With this setting, ZScript will translate lines into filled polygons of exactly the thickness and shape requested. Depending on the complexity of the drawing, this may add some processing time.

Accurate text clipping

In rare instances, you may have a piece of text that, as part of a design, is clipped (chopped off) in mid-character. Most printer drivers recognize this clipping function and reproduce the effect accurately; some, however, do not. Accurate text clipping forces the ZScript filter to render clipped text as a bitmap, thereby ensuring accurate results. Depending on the complexity of the clipping, this may increase processing time. Unless you experience problems with clipped text, you should leave this option off.

Ignore screens from PostScript file

Some applications allow you to specify halftone screens within your PostScript file (for example, 133 line screen with a 45 degree screen angle). Such screens are usually needed only for pre-press imagesetting, not for desktop printing.

On your desktop printer, you may find that you get better looking results by using the halftoning (or dithering) that your printer uses by default. Also, depending on your printer driver and the complexity of the file, you may find that generating a custom screen adds processing time. If having exact line screen matching is not important, you can cause the filter to ignore the defined screens by turning this option on.

With this option off, any screens in the PostScript file will be imaged to the best ability of your printer and printer driver. Be aware that setting a screen frequency that is too high for your hardware will result in dark and posterized output. Also note that some programs (such as Corel Ventura Publisher) let you specify screens for particular images without setting screen values for other page elements. In such a case, the graphics with unspecified screens will use your printer’s (or printer driver’s) default screen.


Click the [image] at the top of the dialog and then click the item that you want information about.


A PostScript language level. It is a subset of Level 2, so in general, it’s best to use Level 2.


A PostScript language level that includes Level 1.


When off, ZScript lets the chosen printer driver scale bitmaps on its own. When on,  ZScript scales the image and passes it to the printer driver at the printer’s native resolution.


When off, ZScript lets the chosen printer driver scale bitmaps on its own. When on, ZScript translates lines and polygons of exactly the thickness and shape required.


When selected, clipped text is rendered as a bitmap, thereby ensuring accurate results inr designs that include deliberately clipped text characters..


When on, disables the PostScript defined halftone screens and uses the printer default halftoning.


If checked, the Filter Preferences dialog for this filter will always be presented when you add a document.


Closes the dialog box without saving any changes made.


Cancels the job in progress.


Returns settings to the defaults.


If checked, this dialog will no longer be presented when you add a document using the current filter.


Closes the dialog box and saves any changes made.