Fine-Tuning PostScript File Export

AutoCAD provides the PostScript user with a great deal of control over the formatting of the Post- Script file that is output with the File   Export and Psout commands. The options range from font- substitution mapping to custom PostScript prologue data.

However, you need to master the PostScript programming language to take full advantage of AutoCAD PostScript output. Most of this control is offered through a file named Acad.psf . This is the master support file for the Psout command. You can customize the PostScript file created by Psout by making changes in the Acad.psf file. Acad.psf is divided into sections that affect various parts of the PostScript output. Each section begins with a title preceded by an asterisk: the *fonts section lets you control font substitution, for example.

You will also want to know about the Psprolog system variable, which instructs Psout to include your custom prologue statement in its PostScript output. You add your custom prologue to the Acad.psf file by using a text editor. The prologue should begin with a section heading that you devise . The heading can say anything, but it must begin with an asterisk like all the other section headings. Everything following the heading, up to the next heading or the end of the file, and excluding comments, will be included in the Psout output file.

Tip  

A complete discussion of Psout PostScript support is beyond the scope of this book. If you are interested in learning more, consult the PostScript section of the AutoCAD Customization manual.

You can also add a PostScript plotter to the plotter configuration. When you do this, AutoCAD plots the drawing as a series of vectors, just like any other plotter. If you have any filled areas in your drawing and you are plotting to a PostScript file, the vectors that are used to plot those filled areas can greatly increase plot-file size and the time it takes to plot your PostScript file.