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Adobe · PostScript

#Dot Matrix Interpreter

5 messages in this thread

#6142From: Joseph PescatelloOct 20, 1988 5:08 PM

Does anyone know of a PostScript interpreter that will work with dot matrix printers? Thanx, Joe Pescatello

#6159From: Richard S. Rose,M.D.Oct 20, 1988 11:39 PM

Joe, Before I got my Laserwriter, I asked this question of lots of people. Couldn't understand why Adobe hadn't developed an Epson-compatible driver considering all the Epson and Epson clones out there (as well as the millions of other dot matrix printers). Now seeing PostScript output on 300 dpi, I can understand the advice that I received that less than 300 dpi just wouldn't do PS justice. I had argued that I just wanted to use the dot matrix printer for 'rough' proofsand that high quality output was not needed. The r The reality is, however, that the rounding off errors that occur in placing a character on the page at resolutions below 300 dpi are significant, and you often can't tell exactly where a line actually falls, to say nothing of the appearance of fonts and highly detailed graphics. Even the newer dot matrix printers that claim 300 dpi do not really give this resolution. The print 300 dots to an inch, but the dots are much larger than 1/300 inch and overlap significantly. Still, someone may have developed such a driver. I'm not aware of one that's commercially available. Rich

#6167From: Scott R. LeyesOct 21, 1988 8:48 AM

If you ever DO want dot-matrix printout, you can always print to an Imagewriter from Illustrator; or save a file as Encapsulated PostScript, then "place" the file into another application (like Pmaker or XPress) and print from that …there may be epson drivers for those other apps. -Scott Leyes

#6185From: Richard S. Rose,M.D.Oct 21, 1988 11:18 PM

Scott, Thanks. I have seen a few dot matrix printouts (proofs) of PostScript programs. I don't know what program produced them, but they were just awful. They couldn't even be used to tell where the images actually fell on the paper. Thank goodnessfor the Laser printers. Of course technology marc marches on. Some of the inkjet or thermal transfer printers may wind up as good proofing machines at a much lower price than any laser printer. Rich

#6183From: Joseph PescatelloOct 21, 1988 9:41 PM

Rich, I don't imagine that any dot-natrix would look as good as the laser and I'm sure that PS is best used with 300 dpi, but I cant help but think that some primitive stuff might look OK on a 9 pin. I haven't had much luck locating anything. The guys over at PC-MAGNET are looking into it. Thanks for your reply, Joe P.