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How do I view more than the first page of a composite Summary Postscript file (Project.PS) using GhostView?
A:
Because of the way the FDOT Project Browser application constructs this file (by
concatenating the source files for the plans sheets), GhostView may not be able
to page forward (the [+] button on the interface) through the composite Summary
Postscript file (Project.PS) using GhostView default settings.
To have best chance of success paging forward, enable the "ignore DSC" option in the Options pulldown menu. Adobe has defined a set of extended comment conventions that provide additional information about the page structure and resource requirements of a Postscript file. The Project.PS file created does not contains these Document Structuring Convention (DSC) comments, therefore one can not display pages in random order using Goto Page and display pages in reverse order using Previous Page.
By setting GhostView to "ignore DSC," you should be able to review each page in the composite Summary Postscript file (Project.PS) using GhostView by paging forward [+] .
To have best chance of success paging forward, enable the "ignore DSC" option in the Options pulldown menu. Adobe has defined a set of extended comment conventions that provide additional information about the page structure and resource requirements of a Postscript file. The Project.PS file created does not contains these Document Structuring Convention (DSC) comments, therefore one can not display pages in random order using Goto Page and display pages in reverse order using Previous Page.
By setting GhostView to "ignore DSC," you should be able to review each page in the composite Summary Postscript file (Project.PS) using GhostView by paging forward [+] .
What is going on with the different versions of GhostScript, and the ED Software, and why does GhostScript, crash when I'm running some of the ED applications?
A:
GhostScript, is a processing engine that is used by many of the FDOT software to
convert Postscript (*.PS) files to Portable Document Files (*.PDF) and vice
versa. The ED programs that use GhostScript, include the Electronic Delivery
Indexer (EDI), Project Browser, StrungProject, and qSheet. GhostScript 8.1 is
loaded in the \FDOT2004\Win32\UTL\GS folder in the FDOT2004 installation. The
programs expect this specific version of GhostScript, and should point there for
GhostScript (See the ED program's Options > Support Applications pull down menus
- except EDI, which always points there internally).
GSView is a viewing program that also uses GhostScript, The GSView / GhostScript combo that is available for download on the FDOT website or loadable from any of the FDOT Installation CD's is a different version of GhostScript packaged by the author for that specific deployment. When installing the GSView / GhostScript, package, one should always accept the default options during the installation and keep GSView pointing to supplied GhostScript version - that is never redirect GSView to point to the version of GhostScript, found in the \FDOT2004\Win32\UTL\GS folder. Likewise, never redirect the Project Browser, Strung Project, or qSheet applications to point to the GhostScript, installed by GSView (typically found in the \GSTOOLS\ folder).
Another common problem that causes GhostScript to crash is failure to follow the rules for folder naming and file naming. GhostScript, is very limited in its ability to process folder/file names. That is why FDOT has some of the restrictions in the CADD Production Criteria Handbook (CPCH, chapter 4).
One additional problem that might cause GhostScript, problems is when using PDF files as plans sheets, where the PDF files have any security or file protection implemented (Check File > Document properties > Security in Acrobat Reader for a questionable PDF). If security has been enabled where GhostScript, can not "UN- Distill" a PDF back to Postscript, an error will occur (and GhostScript, doesn't display a very user-friendly error message either). So don't ever use any security options for your PDF files if they are going to be plan sheets, and watch out for plan sheets that you produced with your scanner too!
GSView is a viewing program that also uses GhostScript, The GSView / GhostScript combo that is available for download on the FDOT website or loadable from any of the FDOT Installation CD's is a different version of GhostScript packaged by the author for that specific deployment. When installing the GSView / GhostScript, package, one should always accept the default options during the installation and keep GSView pointing to supplied GhostScript version - that is never redirect GSView to point to the version of GhostScript, found in the \FDOT2004\Win32\UTL\GS folder. Likewise, never redirect the Project Browser, Strung Project, or qSheet applications to point to the GhostScript, installed by GSView (typically found in the \GSTOOLS\ folder).
Another common problem that causes GhostScript to crash is failure to follow the rules for folder naming and file naming. GhostScript, is very limited in its ability to process folder/file names. That is why FDOT has some of the restrictions in the CADD Production Criteria Handbook (CPCH, chapter 4).
One additional problem that might cause GhostScript, problems is when using PDF files as plans sheets, where the PDF files have any security or file protection implemented (Check File > Document properties > Security in Acrobat Reader for a questionable PDF). If security has been enabled where GhostScript, can not "UN- Distill" a PDF back to Postscript, an error will occur (and GhostScript, doesn't display a very user-friendly error message either). So don't ever use any security options for your PDF files if they are going to be plan sheets, and watch out for plan sheets that you produced with your scanner too!
How do I configure the GSView application to view Postscript and PDF Files?
A:
Take a look at
Configuring Ghostview (pdf).
