The -P option is used to specify the output device. If the option is omitted, the default LaserWriter (-Plw) is used.
For MacPaint pictures, PostScript files may be generated using paintps (local) or using the method described below.
For other output, you must (currently) use the procedure described below to get the Macintosh to create the PostScript file.
Make sure the LaserWriter printer driver file is installed on your system disk. You may use the "Chooser" desk accessory to select the LaserWriter driver. You may have to turn on AppleTalk first. "Chooser" will give you instructions.
Use the Page Setup menu item to specify whether you want the LaserWriter to substitute its built-in fonts for the Macintosh fonts, whether you want smoothing, and so forth.
Open the document with the required application and choose the "Print..." menu item. In most applications (such as MacWrite) a dialog box will appear. Answer the questions and click OK. After you click OK, hold down the command key (cloverleaf) and hold down the "f" key. When a box appears saying "Creating PostScript File", you may release the cmd-F keys. If instead a box appears saying "Looking for LaserWriter", you did not press cmd-F at the right time.
NOTE: MacPaint is slightly different. "Print Draft" prints without smoothing, and "Print Final" prints with smoothing. Also, no dialog box appears when you choose "Print ..", so hold down cmd-F right after you choose one of the print commands.
A file called PostScript will appear on your disk. This file is a plain text file readable by MacWrite and most other editors and word processors. This file is often extremely large (> 100K), so you might make sure you have lots of room on the disk before creating it. You will not be warned if you run out of space.
Now upload the PostScript file to your favorite UNIX machine. Several file transfer programs exist. For instance, using MacTerminal connected to a UNIX machine, you can give the UNIX command
% macget -u
Then choose "Send File" in MacTerminal and select PostScript. This will leave a file in your current UNIX directory called "PostScript.text".
Another common file transfer program is Kermit. While running MacKermit, issue the UNIX command
% kermit -x
Then choose "Send File" in MacKermit and select PostScript. When it finishes, choose "Finish". This should leave a file in your current UNIX directory called "postscript".
Now you may finally give UNIX the command:
% maclaser PostScript.text
to print the file "PostScript.text" on the default LaserWriter.
/usr/local/lib/allfonts/postscript/laser-prep-40.pro
LaserPrep version 40, for LaserWriter version 3.1
/usr/local/lib/allfonts/postscript/laser-prep-49.pro
LaserPrep version 49, for LaserWriter version 3.3
/usr/local/lib/allfonts/postscript/laser-prep-65.pro
LaserPrep version 65, for LaserWriter version 4.0