Overview

GSgrab is still under development.  Expect to find problems.

GSgrab is a utility to capture the output of the MS-Windows PostScript printer driver and automatically print it using Ghostscript.

GSgrab will add GSGRAB to the the list of available printer ports.  A PostScript printer driver connected to GSGRAB will direct its output into the file GSGRAB in the Windows directory.

GSgrab periodically checks for the existence of the GSGRAB file. If the file is accessible, GSgrab gives it to Ghostscript for Windows for printing. When Ghostscript for Windows has finished, GSgrab deletes the file GSGRAB then restarts periodically checking for the existence of the file.

Installation

Setup

Copyright

Problems and Tasks


Installation

This version of GSgrab works best with Ghostscript for Windows 3.12  or later, but will work with Ghostscript 2.6.1.

Install GSgrab by copying gsgrab.exe and gsgrab.hlp to your Ghostscript directory.

From the Program Manager, create a program item for GSgrab. Start GSgrab and the Installation help (which you are reading now) and the GSgrab Setup dialog box will be displayed.

From the Setup dialog box, edit the Ghostscript Command to enter the correct executable path and include path for Ghostscript. For example

  c:\gs\gswin.exe -Ic:\gs;c:\gs\fonts

It is essential that you get both the executable and the include path correct otherwise GSgrab will either complain that it cannot run gswin, or it will start and then immediately exit with an error code.

Next set the correct Printer, Resolution and Port. Then select Ok.

Now start up the Control Panel, then Printers, add a PostScript printer (Apple Laserwriter II NT is suitable) and then Connect it to D:\WINDOWS\GSGRAB.

GSgrab should now work. Try it by printing to the PostScript printer which should write to the file GSGRAB.  After a few seconds GSgrab will start Ghostscript which will then write output to a real printer port. If all works properly, you may wish to put the GSgrab program item into the Startup group.

To uninstall GSview, remove the files you installed above, then remove c:\windows\gsgrab.ini from the appropriate windows directory. Next edit win.ini, find the section [ports] and remove the line D:\WINDOWS\GSGRAB=

If you have problems, try reading the help topic Common Problems.


Setup

Options that can be changed using GSgrab Setup are:

Ghostscript Command

This is typically "c:\gs\gswin.exe -Ic:\gs;c:\gs\fonts;c:\psfonts" This must include the full path to gswin and the include path for gswin.

Printer

A name of a Ghostscript printer device. A drop down combo box contains the names of printers in Ghostscript 3.0.

Resolution

Resolution of the Ghostscript printer device in dots per inch. A drop down combo box contains the resolutions compatible with known Ghostscript 3.0 printer devices.

Port

The printer port to be used by Ghostscript.

If using GSgrab with Ghostscript 2.6.1, you must set the printer port to <Unknown>.  Ghostscript will ask you for a printer port.

Interval

The time interval at which GSgrab checks for the existence of the GSGRAB file.


Copyright

The About button shows the GSgrab copyright message and GSgrab version number.

 GSgrab.EXE - A Ghostscript printer interface

Copyright (C) 1994, Russell Lang.  All rights reserved.

This program is distributed with NO WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.  No author or distributor accepts any responsibility for the consequences of using it, or for whether it serves any particular purpose or works at all, unless he or she says so in writing.  Refer to the GSview Free Public Licence  (the "Licence") for full details.

Every copy of GSview must include a copy of the Licence, normally in a  plain ASCII text file named LICENCE.  The Licence grants you the right  to copy, modify and redistribute GSview, but only under certain conditions  described in the Licence.  Among other things, the Licence requires that  the copyright notice and this notice be preserved on all copies.

    Author: Russell Lang

  Internet: rjl@aladdin.com


Problems and Tasks

16bit Ghostscript for Windows is a large model program.  Only one copy can be running at a time.  If a user tries to print while Ghostscript is already running (e.g. for preview with GSview) then an error message will result.

The user must wait until Ghostscript has finished before printing another file to GSGRAB.  Not sure if Ghostscript accessing the file will stop the Print Manager from overwriting the file.

Requires quit.ps to be on the Ghostscript include path.

Printer port selection will confuse Ghostscript 2.6.1. Must use <Unknown>.