Don  Lancaster's Guru's Lair  Acrobat PDF & SVG Graphics Library
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Acrobat from Adobe Systems is far and away the finest method
to present or distribute online or print based information. Acrobat
completely, utterly, and totally blows HTML away. On all counts.


This library shelf gives you the key tutorials and utilities you'll
need to use and apply net-friendly Acrobat 4.0. or higher.


You can click here for free PostScript & Acrobat official docs.
Or you can click here for free Acrobat Reader downloads.

While Acrobat uses PostScript, the differences are that PostScript
is a totally general purpose computing language that happens to
excel at dirtying up otherwise clean sheets of paper. While Acrobat
is a "just the facts maa'm" distilled format that uses only the bare
minimum needed to effectively describe a web, print, or production
document. And does so largely device and platform independent. In
addition, Acrobat also offers web features, disability access, alpha
transparency, eBook pubs, and interactive forms extensions.

Some of what follows also appears in our larger PostScript library.
Custom PostScript & Acrobat PDF consulting is found here.


SVG, short for Scalable Vector Graphics, is the non-proprietary "next
big thing" for the web that offers many Acrobat like features without
any need for special plugins.

Most library files require an Adobe Acrobat 4.0 plug in for online
viewing.  Offline, these may be accessed by an Acrobat Reader or
an eBook Reader or any other .PDF accepting program.

Gonzo PS Powerpoint Emulator GONZOPOW.PDF #20      Converting PowerPoint slides for .PDF web presentation presents all      sorts of problems that are completely eliminated by using this direct      raw PostScript slide show emulator. Uses Gonzo utilities.

Click here to for the MSINTRO1.PDF demo.
Click here to for the DELTAMS1.PDF demo.
Click here for the MSINTRO1.PSL sourcecode.
Click here for GONZOPOW.PSL source code.
Click here to reach the PostScript library.


Acrobat "Galley Slave" GALLERY.PDF     Tutorial and insider secrets for PDF thumbnail gallery      generation. The many advantages over HTML include data base      sourcing, single file delivery and fast images.

Click here for an Earlier Version.


Click here for a Gallery PDF demo.
Click here for more Acrobat PDF assistance.
Click here to view our eBay live auctions.

Auto-Tracking PDF web links AUTOURL.PDF      Sourcecode and insider secrets for automatically repositioning      Acrobat url links. These can be data base entered and are totally      source document controlled. They move correctly upon editing.

Click here for additional GuruGrams.
Here's some sourcecode and earlier info:

Use Distiller as a General Purpose PostScript Computer       Acrobat Distiller or GhostScript makes a superb general purpose       interpreting PostScript computer with amazing capabilities. This       HTML tutorial includes fundamentals and a dozen+ linked demos.

Click here for Don's Gonzo PostScript Utilities.
Click here for Don's PostScript Beginner Stuff.


HTML to multi-page Acrobat Linking Demo       Once you know the rules, it is easy to jump from a HTML page to       any position or magnification in an Acrobat .PDF file. Tutorial and       demo shows how to use and link Acrobat named destinations.

Click here for more Adobe Acrobat assistance.

Exploring the Acrobat 5 SDK STARTSDK.PDF #11      Here's a summary of the rude surprises I found when I started to      use the new Acrobat 5 SDK. Along with precompiled links for url      checks, transparency mods, image insertion, and watermarks.

Click here to reach the GuruGram library.
Click here to reach the Acrobat library.
Click here for the STARTSDK.PSL sourcecode.

PostScript web site analysis utility WEBSITAN.PSL       Utterly amazing utility converts Acrobat's Distiller into a super power       web site analyzer! Download as PostScript file; read as tutorial, then       modify. Then distill. Results appear in the generated .LOG file.

Click for more Webmastering help.

Blatant Opportunist #34 ACROCAT.PDF       An Adobe Acrobat tutorial that shows how to upgrade existing       printed catalogs into interactive online net marketing tools. Has       been newly revised to include Acrobat 3.0 capabilities.

Click here for Blatant Opportunist columns.

Six clicks to Display PostScript  SIXCLICK.HTML       Absolutely genuine Adobe Display PostScript has been available for       Windows 95 and newer platforms. For side by side source code and       visual display. Here are the utterly trivial insider secrets involved.

Click here for email contact or feedback.

Blatant Opportunist #72 FUNSTUFF.PDF      Fun with Stuff.. Bubble accelerometers. HPNA home phone networks.     Tut LR2000T's. Acrobat 5.0 upgrades. PostScript transparency.      Tower fans. Hexapods. Stewart Platforms, Lumeloid, more...

Click here for Tut LR2000T bargains.
Click here for the Blatant Opportunist library.
Click here for more Hexapod info.
Click here for FUNSTUFF.PSL sourcecode.

Searching Acrobat on the web SRCHPDF.HTML      Yes, it is possible to do an online mixed HTML and PDF search      using IE 4.0 This brief tutorial outlines the process and several key      insider secret gotchas that seem to be involved

Click for a mixed PDF & HTML Search demo.

Blatant Opportunist #52  PDFLINK.PDF          Secrets of PDF Links and PDF Link Checking. Reference docs.       Creating Acrobat PDF Links. Exchange. Document Generators       Gonzo utilities. Internal linking solutions. Link checking routines.

Click here for PDF Link Checking sourcecode.
Click here for Blatant Opportunist columns.

Blatant Opportunist #50  TWENTY47.PDF         Secrets of 24/7 publishing where content is continuously provided       to online and hard copy venues. 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.      Advantages. The downside. Income options. Insider techniques.

Click here for book-on-demand publishing info.

Acrobat Security Flaws INSECURE.HTML      Brief Don Lancaster tutorial on Acrobat security flaws in Acrobat 2.1      Security is hypersensitive to added characters or non-transparent data      channels. Worse, a "print to disk" circumvents all other user security.

Click here for a Magic Sinewave development proposal.

Blatant Opportunist #40 SPOTCOLR.PDF      Insider secrets to making B/W print more colorful include      papers, preprints, toners, diecuts, color toners, Kroy Color,      Bakerizing, hiliters, and a sneaky new PostScript Colorizer.

Click here for more Blatant Opportunist columns.

Showing Acrobat which end is up WHICHUP.HTML      Acrobat's automatic intelligent positioning can sometimes cause big      problems on duplex printed catalog covers or two sided foldovers.      Short tutorial shows the problem , an example, and two workarounds

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Blatant Opportunist #47  TRIMODE.PDF        Guidelines for tri-mode publishing. Advantages of electrons       and plastic over paper. Use Acrobat. Optimize for PostScript.       Colorize. Link up. Provide search options. Optimize web viewing.

Click here for more PostScript details.


Resource Bin #92  RESBN92.PDF       Exploring some PostScript possibilities. What is PostScript? Adobe       Acrobat. GhostScript. Gonzo Utilities. PostScript and the web. PS as       Examples. Scripting combo. PostScript Robotics. More..

Click here for more Resource Bin columns.

PostScript "alpha" transparency (!)  ALPHADEM.PDF      Everybody knows it is "impossible" to get real PostScript to paint in      translucent pixels. Demo shows how easy it is done. Transparency       consulting and development services are newly available.

Click here for alpha transparency sourcecode.


                          The latest Illustrator 9 and Acrobat 5 PostScript
                          implementations have largely obsoleted the above
                          alpha technique. See Adobe ATN5407 for details.

JPEG to PDF file conversion JPEG2PDF.HTML       Simple PS proc textfiles sent to Acrobat Distiller can easily convert       host resident JPEG disk files into PDF images. Here is a brief Don       Lancaster tutorial on the short and simple code that is needed.

Click here a more detailed STEPPREP.PDF example.
And its detailed STEPPREP.PSL companion sourcecode.

Information & Background on Byte Serving      Your ISP should already be providing you with the Byte Range      Delivery essential for fast page-by page Acrobat PDF use. If not, here      is some background and support info. Both for you and your ISP.

Click for a summary Byte Range Delivery spec.
Click here for the full Byte Range Delivery web spec.


Sourcecode for Tech Musings #67 STEPPREP.PSL      Secrets of Step-by-step Image Prep. Postprocessing. Scanner vs      camera. knockout knockouts. Pixel locking. Adding detail. Improving       lettering. The small stuff. For more help.

Click here for the actual STEPPREP.PDF file.

Tech Musings #147  MUSE147.PDF (april 2000)      A look at pendulum accelerometers. Servo and feedback books. PS      Log file 404 error extractor. Listening in on bat navigation. Using      synchros and seslyns. USB Complete book. More...

Click here for Instant Consulting solutions.
Click here for Live Auction bargains.

Netscape PDF full screen displays FULLSCRN.HTML        Getting Acrobat's nice full screen displays out of Netscape Navi        4.1 seems tricky. There's three Netscape modes: Default, plugin, and        helper. Each with problems. Tutorial reviews your options here.

Click here to view our eBay live auctions.

Resource Bin #56  RESBN56.PDF     How to start your own web page. The Internic registration. Why     HTML must be avoided. Template & layout sources. Speedup secrets.     Importance of Acrobat. Promoting your site. Showing a profit.

Click here for more Webmastering resources.


Palatino & Pathforall Workarounds DISTPALO.HTML      Acrobat Distiller does not directly or internally support Palatino      or other "extended 35" fonts. Here are workarounds to let you      use Palatino and the PostScript -pathforall- operator with Distiller.

Click here for Patent Avoidance info.

Secrets of  GRABREFS.PSL        PostScript-as-language utility reads a log file, then extracts only        offsite and non-search-query referrals. View in editor, modify and        then send to Acrobat Distiller or GhostScript.

Click here for more Webmastering tutorials.

Resource Bin #53  RESBN53.PDF    Exploring fundamental information distribution tools. With    strong tutorial emphasis on Adobe Acrobat, PostScript, Acrobat    precedents and multiple master typefaces.

Click here for more Resource Bin columns.


Blatant Opportunist #26  PICOJUST.PDF       Don's "third stage" text justification scheme gives you outstanding       results. Justification fundamentals. Fill justify basics. Adding bells       and whistles. Picojustification concepts. Sourcecode listings.

Click here for Custom Gonzo Utility assistance.


Font conversion tutorial and demo OLDFONTS.HTML      Older Adobe "printer only" fonts are tricky to install into PC ATM.      Tutorial shows how to combine PFA2PFB.PS with readable .PFM files      found in Type on call. Read as HTML document.

Click for Custom Research solutions.

Hot linking newsgroups by Acrobat NEWSLINK.HTML       Acrobat's ability to link newsgroups seems restricted to bizarre       access of certain web servers. This brief note is a combination       tutorial and plea for help on this serious problem.

Click here to view our eBay live auctions.

Resource Bin #55  RESBN55.PDF      How to explore the web for the first time. How to get      Netscape Gold and Acrobat Amber. Getting email. Surfing      and hypersurfing. Gateways. Searching for useful sites.

Click here to visit the GuruGram library.

Showpage Diverting Sourcecode DIVERTSP.PSL       Diverting the showpage operator is an extremely powerful tool to       provide color underlays, watermarks, standard borders, page       renumbering, etc. Read in wp or editor; send to Distiller.

Click for a Showpage Diversion PDF demo.

Some Acrobat web page utilities  AWEBUTIL.HTML       Acrobatic web page advantages can be compelling. Tutorial and       code shows how to do a "HTML-like" only better web page menu       selection. Includes hot buttons and linked urls. All in one file.

Click here to view the AWEBDEMO.PDF demo

Acrobat url Extractor/Tester GRABURLS.PSL        Utility extracts PDFmark url links from any Acrobat file. Use for       proofing & link testing. Read in wp or editor, change filename, then       send to Acrobat Distiller. Output appears in separate HTML file.

Click here for a Sample URL Extraction.

Copyright Symbols & ISO Encoding COPYRITE.HTML     There are dozens of "hidden" characters in a "normal" PostScript font     By going to an ISO Encoding, many of these characters can newly     be used. Examples include copyright, registered, and trademark.

Click for our Surplus Bargain pages.

PostScript "web friendly" colors  WEBCOLOR.PS       Tutorial, utilities and demo show you how to do 215 "web friendly"      and simply numbered PostScript colors. Read first in editor or wp      then send to Acrobat Distiller.

Click here for a web friendly colors demo.
Click for the Guru's Gonzo PostScript Utilities.


Acrobat url extractor & tester GRABURLS.PSL      Utility extracts PDFmark url links from any Acrobat file. Use for      proofing & link testing. Read in wp or editor, change filename, then      send to Acrobat Distiller. Output appears in Distiller log file.

Click for an HTML transfer file Sample Output.

Don Lancaster's Gonzo PostScript Utilities       The combination pagemaking and illustration package Don uses for       all of his work. It is powerful, flexible, and device independent.       But not wysiwig. Also see the PostScript Beginner Stuff.

Click to directly download the Gonzo Utilities.
Click for lots of additional Gonzo Utility support.

Duplex Auto-addressing Catalog  BODCAT.HTML       Tutorial and PostScript sourcecode for a duplex, 16 page, auto-       addressing, auto-collating, auto-tumbling, dual paper stock       saddle stitched BOD brochure or catalog printing.

Click for the BODCAT.PSL sourcecode.
Click for an Older Catalog demo. (contents not current)

Improved web colorizer utility  COLORIZ2.HTML      Revised PostScript utility to simply upgrade existing gray tone      documents so they print in continuous selectable color tints on      lline and on screen, yet appear as original grays on a B/W printer.     This disgustingly elegant code also shows you how to write a     PostScript program that writes its own PostScript programs!

Click here for the PostScript Sourcecode.
Click here for a Colorizer Demo & Directory.

PostScript .PFA to .PFB font conversion PFA2PFB.PSL      Uses Acrobat Distiller (or GhostScript or ps printer with disk) to      convert PC .PFA (hex-ascii) format font files to .PFB (binary) format      font files. Read with wp, then Distill. PFB files are used internally.

Click here for an Energy Efficiency breakthrough.

PostScript .PFB to .PFA font conversion PFB2PFA.PSL       Uses Acrobat Distiller (or GhostScript or ps printer with disk) to       convert PC .PFB (binary) font files to .PFA (hex-ascii) font files.       Read with editor, then Distill. PFA files can be modemed as text.

Click here to visit the GuruGram library.

Tech Musings #149 MUSE149.PDF        Where to get parts. Acrobat web searches. New touch screen        chip. Reformation free fuel cells. PostScript proc diversion. Secrets        of transmission line transformers. NDT resources More...

Click for more Tech Musings columns.

PS Referral log query extractor GRABSRCH.PSL      PostScript-as-language utility reads a log file, then extracts only      referring reasearch engine query terms. View in editor, modify,      and then send to Acrobat Distiller or GhostScript.

Click for Custom Research solutions.

PostScript & Distiller disk file utilities DISKTOOL.PS        PostScript, Ghostscript or the Acrobat Distiller can easily access        printer or host hard drives. This is a collection of Don's disk file        access tutorials and utilities. Includes web site analysis examples.

Click for our Electronic Bargain pages.

Blatant Opportunist #40  SPOTCOLR.PDF         Insider secrets to making B/W print more colorful include       papers, preprints, toners, diecuts, color toners, Kroy Color,       Bakerizing, highliters, and a sneaky new PostScript Colorizer.

Click here for bookbinding books info.

Sourcecode & Template MUSE110.PSL       The sourcecode and template usd to generate MUSE110.PDF.       Text file written in raw in Guru Gonzo PostScript. Newly includes       URL links pre-built into the source code using pdfmark.

Click for the actual MUSE110.PDF column.
Click here for more Tech Musings columns.

Pre-embedding Acrobat source URL's URLINDOC.PSL      Tutorial and Guru Gonzo PostScript patches that let you embed url       links directly into your pre-Acrobat source documents. Short and       simple PostScript routines make the job really easy.

Click here for a newer URL Embedding Update .


PDF to JPEG HTML Banner Conversion Demo        Load into Exchange or Reader. Screen grab with Screen Thief 95.        Extract to cropped BMP file with Paint. Convert to GIF with Spry        Image View. Import into Netscape. Or substitute similar utilities.

Click for Custom Research solutions.

Acrobat Catalog File Formats ACATDATA.PSL      Shows how to read Acrobat Catalog file internals so that new custom     features can easily be added. Read tutorial in editor or word processor,     modify filenames, then send to Acrobat Distiller or GhostScript.

Click here for Acrobat Catalog consulting.

Acrobat Catalog Keyword Reader CATWORDS.PSL      Extracts alphabetical keyword list from Acrobat Catalog data.      Read tutorial in editor or word processor, modify filenames, then      send to Acrobat Distiller or GhostScript.

Click here for Electronic Surplus bargains.


Acrobat Catalog Utility Tools CATOOLS1.PSL       Some PostScript utilities that let you read Acrobat catalog internals.       Includes a word frequency extractor. View in wp or editor, modify and       then send to Distiller or GhostScript. Generates ASCII textfiles.

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Scalable Vector Graphics, is the non-proprietary "next big thing"
for the web that offers many Acrobat like features without any
need for special plugins.

SVG Creator and Sponsor W3.ORG      Home of the SVG source documents and responsible        for web implementation. and accepatance.

Click for the full SVG Technical Specification.


Adobe System's SVG Support Center      Adobe has a strong commitment to SVG web development and        offers readers, tech docs, links, and various support services.

Click for Adobe's free SVG Viewer downloads.
Click for Adobe's third party SVG links .


Apache's Batik SVG Toolkit       A Java based toolkit for apps that want to use images in the SVG      format for viewing, generation ,or manipulation.

Click for some assorted Batik SVG  demos.


      Click to reach our SVG Books list.

Here's a master link list to Acrobat plug-in resources.
You can also create your own by using Adobe's Help.

www.activepdf.com www.adobe.com www.ambia.com www.appligent.com www.aroundtablesolution.com www.callas.de www.digapp.com www.dionis.com www.enfocus.com www.elcomsoft.com www.fileopen.com www.gohtm.com www.imagesolutions.com www.jawspdf.com www.lantanarips.com www.pdfcreation.com www.pdfresearch.com www.pdfzone.com www.planetpdf.com www.quite.com www.((soton.com.uk).com www.tumbleweed.com www.tinaja.com www.virginiasystems.com www.visual.co.uk www.xman.com

Adobe System's Adobe.com      "Horse's mouth" PDF home includes free Acrobat and eBook        readers software, product details, developer's info, much more.

Click for free PostScript & Acrobat technical docs.


Independent Acrobat Resource PDF Zone     Lots of PDF support products. Commercial, shareware, news,      links, consulting, more.

Click here for their freee PDFZone Newsletter.


Independent Acrobat Resource Planet PDF      Includes Acrobat news, weblogs, forums, PDF tools, commercial        products, developer assistance, and commercial products.

Click to reach Planet PDF's ePublish Store.


Harold Goldstein's Acrobat Resources       Extensive link farm arranged into Acrobat PDF Resources,       plugins, tricks, issues, forums, newsgroups, and books.

Click for Acrobat & PDF training from Agitraining.


Acrobat games (!) and doodles from The PDF Corner       University of Nottingham site for unusual PDF programming. Games,       doodles, embedded PDF in HTML, text to PDF conversion, etc.

Click for Image Alchemy format conversions.

Don Lancaster's PostScript-as-Language Library       Unique set of tutorials, tools, books, links, and other help for       understanding both beginning and advanced PostScript concepts.

Click for Custom Research solutions.

Peter Deutsch's GhostScript       GhostScript is a freeware PostScript clone that offers on-screen       displays on Mac and PC platforms. Includes PostScript site links.

Click for Acrobat & PDF training from Ledet.


Test or use "Acrobat Distiller" at Internet Distiller       Uses GhostScript as an online service to let you approximate       online generation of a PDF file without using Adobe software.

Click here to view our eBay live auctions.

Acrobat PDF and PostScript:

Acrobat Reference Manual (the PEWTER book) Acrobat 5 PDF Bible ( Ted Padova ) Adobe Acrobat 5 PDF for Dummies ( Greg Harvey ) Adobe Acrobat 5: The Professional User's Guide ( DonnaBaker ) Double Trouble (PDF and Palm Pilot formats) ( Betty Sullivan ) From Paper to Web: Making Information... (Tony McKinley) Internet Publishing with Acrobat (Gordon Kent) PDF Bible: The Complete Guide... (Mark Witkowski) PDF Printing and Workflow ( Frank Romano ) PDF with Acrobat 5: Visual QuickStart Guide ( Jennifer Alspach ) PDF Printing & Publishing (Mattias Andersson) PostScript & Acrobat PDF Applications... (Thomas Mertz) PostScript & Acrobat PDF Bible (Thomas Mertz) Real World PDF with Adobe Acrobat 5 ( Anita Dennis ) Teach Yourself Visually Adobe Acrobat 5 Pdf ( Ted Padova ) Web Publishing With Acrobat PDF (Thomas Mertz) Web Publishing With Adobe Acrobat (Bruce Page) PostScript by Example (the MAROON book) PostScript Reference Manual (the RED book) PostScript Tutorial & Cookbook (the BLUE book)

SVG Scalable Vector Graphics:

Data Visualization on the Web with SVG  ( Jacek Artymiak ) Designing SVG Web Graphics  ( Andrew Watt ) Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) 1.0 Specification ( Jon Ferraiolo ) SVG Essentials  ( David Eisenberg ) Teach Yourself Svg in 24 Hours  ( Micah Laaker )

comp.lang.postscript comp.text.pdf www.adobe.com www.blueworld.com www.infomania.com www.planetpdf.com www.pdfzone.com

Ask Don a PostScript or Acrobat question.   Go to the Acrobat PDF library page.  Explore an Energy Efficiency Solution.  Find Instant Research Answers.

Please click here to... 

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