LaserFix 1.0 Documentation

About LaserFix
If you ever use the 'Save as Postscript' feature of the Mac's LaserWriter driver, then you will likely find LaserFix useful. If you are unfamiliar with this feature, then read the note at the end of this documentation.

LaserFix is an INIT that provides a standard file interface to the 'Save as Postscript' capability by patching two traps used by the LaserWriter driver. It also makes a checkbox button named 'Disk File' appear inside the Printing Dialog Box. By checking this box before clicking on 'OK', you avoid having to  hold down the CMD+F keys.

After running LaserFix the LaserWriter Dialog box will contain a new checkbox button called 'Disk File'.

Using LaserFix
First, make sure that you have the LaserWriter Diver in you system folder. Place LaserFix in your system folder and reboot the Macintosh. You will see the LaserFix icon displayed at the bottom of the screen. 
   Now, make sure that you first choose the LaserWriter via the Chooser Desk accessory (you don't actually have to have a Laser printer connected to your Macintosh).
 Now to save a file as PostScript, choose the "Print..." menu item from whatever application you are in. The LaserWriter Dialog box will appear. Click on the checkbox called "Disk File' and then click the 'OK' button. You do not need to hold down Cmd+F. After a brief pause, you will see a standard file dialog box appear that asks you where you want to save your postscript file. It will supply a default file name of 'PostScript0'. Choose a folder and type in a name just like always and click on 'OK'.  
   
A Few Comments:

1.  In the standard file dialog box that appears after you click 'OK' in the LaserWriter Dialog box, the Cancel button is useless. If you click Cancel, then the effect will simply be to save your file as PostScript0 etc. as if LaserFix were not installed. If you want to cancel the process then hold down the CMD and '.' keys just as you would have to do if  LaserFix were not installed.

2.  If you get the standard  file message
 
		"Replace existing <filename>?", 

choose another name. The file in question will not be replaced but rather the last character in the name you just chose will be replaced by a digit.

3. Don't alter the string resource 'PostScript0' that appears in the LaserWriter resource file. If you do, then LaserFix won't work anymore.

4.  If the 'Disk File' button is not present in your LaserWriter Dialog before you install LaserFix, then LaserFix will cause it to appear. If you have already installed the button (say by using ResEdit), then LaserFix will leave not alter it in any way.

5. If you hold down the SHIFT key after clicking on 'OK' in the LaserWriter Dialog, then the standard file dialog box will not appear. Instead the usual process of saving the file as Postscript0-PostScript9 will take place.

6. If LaserFix does not find the LaserWriter driver inside your system folder, it will emit a short beep, but will still install itself so that you can still use it by just placing LaserWriter in your system folder.

7. CMD+K also works with LaserFix (Just don't check the 'Disk File' box.)

8. If you hold down the SHIFT  key during powerup LaserFix will not install. 

Finally, LaserFix is free.  You may distribute this anywhere you like. However please include this documentation as well as the documentaion in WORD fromat.

In Case You're Not Familiar With 'Save as PostScript'
Sometimes it is desirable to have a copy of a file in PostScript format. The LaserWriter driver in the Macintosh allows you to do this. When you choose   the LaserWriter under the Chooser Desk Accessory, and then choose print under a standard application like Microsoft Word, you will get a LaserWriter Dialog. If you hold down the CMD+F keys after clicking on the 'OK' button of this dialog, then your file will be saved to the disk as a PostScript file named "PostScript0", "PostScript1",...or "PostScript9". Exactly where it is saved is sometimes a mystery. 

    LaserFix allows you to enhance this operation by 
1. Making the (generally invisible) button called 'Disk File' appear in the LaserWriter Dialog. By clicking on this checkbox, you avoid having to hold down the CMD+F keys.

2. Providing a standard file interface so that you can save your postscript image wherever you like and with whatever name you desire.


David P. Sumner
Department of Mathematics
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
CIS:  75515,1507

