Leo:Print To PDF

PDF writer Setup (description by Leo Selavo)

You can set up a printer in Microsoft Windows so that whenever you want to create a PDF file, you just print to this virtual printer.

A PostScript (PS) file sent to a RedMon (Redirection Monitor) port can be converted to a PDF file using Ghostscript. Here is how:

1. Install RedMon to create a redirection port on your computer
2. Install a Postscript printer driver (preferably color)
3. Configure the RedMon port so it starts Ghostscript.
4. Make sure there is a pdfwrite device with correct paths defined in your Ghostscript folder

You will need to look for RedMon and Ghostscript yourself, and download the latest versions. Same goes for a PS printer driver.

Setup Details

1. Download, unzip RedMon.zip and run setup.

2. Install a printer driver for a colour PostScript printer, e.g. Apple Color LaserWriter 12/600. If you select a black and white printer such as Apple LaserWriter II NT you will end up with your color images becoming greyscale.

When asked for port, use the local RedMon port (RPT1 or similar). If the port is not present, add it as a new local port.

You may wish to rename the printer from Apple Color LaserWriter 12/600 to Ghostscript PDF writer.

3. RedMon can be configured from ThePrinter->Properties->Ports->Config.Port:

The Ghostscript command in the port configuration dialogue would be

   c:\gs\gs8.00\bin\gswin32c.exe

and the arguments

   @c:\gs\pdfwrite.rsp -sOutputFile="%1" -c .setpdfwrite -f -

Make sure you include the space and dash at the end of the line. Failure to do this could result in Ghostscript stalling the print queue.

Output should be set to

   Prompt for filename

All other settings should be left the same.

4. To use RedMon and Ghostscript to create a PDF writer, you need to use the Ghostscript device pdfwrite. My c:\gs\pdfwrite.rsp would contain:

-Ic:\gs\gs8.00\lib;c:\gs\fonts
-sDEVICE=pdfwrite
-r300
-dNOPAUSE
-dSAFER
-sPAPERSIZE=a4

Make sure you have all the paths correctly pointing to existing locations.

Disclaimer

I assume no responsibility if anything happens. This worked for me, use at your own risk. Good luck.