.PS File Extension

PostScript File

Developer	Adobe Systems
Popularity	Average rating 3.6 / 5. Vote count: 143
Category	Vector Image Files
Format	.PS
Cross Platform	Update Soon

What is an PS file?

A .PS file, short for PostScript, is a page description language file developed by Adobe Systems. It’s used primarily for vector graphics and text, describing the layout and content of a document.

More Information.

Originally designed to control printing on laser printers, PostScript revolutionized desktop publishing by enabling WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) printing capabilities.

Origin Of This File.

PostScript was developed by Adobe in 1982 as a device-independent means of describing documents for printing.

File Structure Technical Specification.

Language: PostScript is a Turing-complete programming language, allowing for complex document layout and graphical operations.
Content: It includes instructions for drawing text, lines, shapes, and images, along with control structures and variables.

How to Convert the File?

Windows:

Adobe Acrobat Distiller:
- Open Adobe Acrobat Distiller.
- Drag and drop the .PS file into the Distiller window.
- Choose PDF as the output format and start the conversion.
Ghostscript:
- Download and install Ghostscript (available at ghostscript.com).
- Open Command Prompt or PowerShell.
- Use the following command.
- Replace gswin32c with gswin64c for 64-bit systems.
Online Tools:
- Use online PDF conversion services that support .PS to .PDF conversion.

Linux:

Ghostscript:
- Install Ghostscript using your distribution’s package manager (e.g., sudo apt-get install ghostscript on Ubuntu).
- Open Terminal.
- Use the command.
Okular:
- Okular, a document viewer, can directly print .PS files to PDF.
Evince:
- Evince, another document viewer, supports .PS files and can print to PDF.

Mac:

Preview:
- Open the .PS file in Preview.
- Go to File > Export as PDF.
Adobe Acrobat Reader:
- Open Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Drag the .PS file into the Reader window.
- Save or export as PDF.
Ghostscript:
- Install Ghostscript for Mac.
- Open Terminal.
- Use the Ghostscript command line similar to the Windows and Linux instructions.

Android:

Xodo PDF Reader & Editor:
- Download and install Xodo from the Google Play Store.
- Open the .PS file in Xodo.
- Use the Share or Export option to save as PDF.
Ghostscript-Based Apps:
- Look for Android apps that utilize Ghostscript for .PS to .PDF conversion.

iOS:

Adobe Acrobat Reader:
- Download and install Adobe Acrobat Reader from the App Store.
- Open the .PS file in Acrobat Reader.
- Export or save as PDF.
PDF Viewer:
- Install a PDF viewer app from the App Store.
- Open the .PS file and use the app’s export feature to save as PDF.

Others:

Online PDF Converters:
- Use web-based services that support .PS to .PDF conversion.
Ghostscript on Other Platforms:
- For other operating systems or platforms, install Ghostscript and use the appropriate command line options as mentioned for Windows and Linux.

Advantages And Disadvantages.

Advantages:

Device independence: Documents can be printed on any PostScript-compatible printer.
Scalability: Vector graphics ensure sharp output at any size.
Complex documents: Supports intricate layouts and graphics.

Disadvantages:

File size: Can be large due to the inclusion of detailed printing instructions.
Processing: Requires interpretation before printing, potentially slowing down printing speeds.