Creating PDF, JPG etc. files using Ghostscript and GSView

Note that these instructions are for Windows users only.

1. Install a PostScript printer driver

In order to create PostScript files, you need a PostScript printer driver installed on your computer (although you don't need actually need a PostScript printer). A suitable driver is included on your Windows CD-ROM.

Go to Start > Settings > Printers, then click Add Printer, and add an Apple LaserWriter Plus (or nearest equivalent). When prompted for the location of the printer, state that it is a Local printer, and should print to FILE: (not to LPT1:). If asked whether you want to make this new printer your default, click No.

2. Download and install GhostScript and GSView

GhostScript is a freely-available PostScript interpreter. It is used to convert PostScript files so that they can print on a non-PostScript printer. GSView is a graphical user interface (GUI) for Windows that makes using GhostScript a lot friendlier. You must download and install both GhostScript and GSView before proceeding.

Further instructions on downloading and installing GhostScript and GSView can be obtained here.

3. Setting up GhostScript

Run GSview and go to Option > Advanced Configure. Make sure the fonts path in the Ghostscript Options (3rd box down) says this -

-dNOPLATFONTS -sFONTPATH="c:\windows\fonts"

(where the path in quotes is the directory where your TrueType fonts are located; this will usually be "c:\windows\fonts" as above.)

4. Creating graphic files

You now have various options:

• Creating a PDF file from another document:
  • Open document.
  • Click File > Print and in the Printer Name box, choose your non-existent Apple LaserWriter. When you click Print, you will be prompted to save your .prn file. Save it to your desktop.
  • Open the .prn file in GSView.
  • Click File > Convert and you will get a list of the GhostScript conversion options. Choose pdfwrite for PDF files. Keep the resolution high and click OK. Save the file. N.B. you will have to add the file extension .pdf yourself here.
• Converting a document to another graphics format
  • Open your document.
  • Click File > Print and in the Printer Name box, choose your non-existent Apple LaserWriter. When you click Print, you will be prompted to save your .prn file. Save it to your desktop.
  • Open the .prn file in GSView.
  • Click File > Convert and you will get a list of the GhostScript conversion options. Choose your favoured graphics format (jpg etc) and save the graphics pages - again remember you need to add the file extension (.jpg etc.)

Instructions  by Barbara Griffith from Sibelius help-pages.