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Troubleshooting PostScript
(3 days, hands-on)
Printable course description (PDF)

A course in diagnosing and fixing PostScript files

Troubleshooting PostScript is a three-day, hands-on course in diagnosing troublesome PostScript files. This is not a full programming course, but a streamlined, practical course in determining what is wrong with a PostScript file and what to do about it

This class teaches enough PostScript programming to understand what a troublesome file is trying to do; it introduces you to debugging techniques that establish the source of the trouble; it teaches you how to look for problems that may lie with the RIP or printing environment, rather than the PostScript code; finally, the class applies its debugging techniques to samples of "bad" PostScript code.

Students are encouraged to bring their own samples of troubled PostScript for examination in class.


Objective

Students will leave class knowing how to examine, diagnose, and fix problematic PostScript code. When presented with a PostScript-related problem, the student will know how to inspect the file, step through the code locating the error, and determine the probable cause of the problem.


Prerequisites

A good technical background. Programming experience will be helpful, though not necessary.


Audience

Printer field support engineers and other support personnel who must deal with failed print jobs, but do not need to be PostScript programmers.


Course Outline

Day 1

  • Basic PostScript Drawing: Line Art & Text
  • Coordinate systems
  • Operand Stack
  • Basic Color
  • gsave & grestore
  • Variables & Procedures
  • Loops

Day 2

  • Conditional Execution
  • Save, Restore & Exiting the Server Loop
  • In-line data & Filters
  • Resources
  • Color Spaces
  • Printing Images
  • Trapping Errors With stopped
  • Selecting Printer-Specific Features

Day 3

  • Fonts, Font Management & Font Problems
  • Document Structuring Convention
  • Sample PostScript Output
  • Using PPD Files for Research
  • PostScript Debugging Operators
  • Debugging Techniques
  • Common PostScript Errors


Pricing & Availability

See class schedule for a list of locations, dates and class cost.



Copyright © 2012 John Deubert

Class Locations

Acumen teaches its classes in three venues:

Our place (SoCal)

We teach regularly-scheduled classes in our classroom site in Southern California, near the Santa Ana/John Wayne Airport.

Click here for a schedule of upcoming classes and course fees.

Your place (On-site)

We can teach a class of up to 16 people on your organizationŐs site. If you have four or more people who need training, youŐll save money by arranging an on-site class.

Site requirements for an on-site are relatively minor: youŐll need a computer for each person, a whiteboard (or its equivalent), and a VGA projector. Acumen Training supplies sample files and printed student materials.

Click here for more information.

Any place (WebEx)

WebEx Logo We can teach a class of 1 to 4 students via WebEx. This completely eliminates travel expenses while providing the same quality instruction as an on-site class. The student sees the instructor, an electronic whiteboard, sample files, and everything else he or she would see if the instructor was present in the room.

Click here for more information.

Register for class

Please click here for online class registration