When Apple introduced LaserWriter 8.0 (also known as Adobe PSPrinter 8.0), they began using PostScript Printer Definition files, or PPDs. Unfortunately, Apple chose to only include PPD files for Apple printers.
There are a great many PPD files available over the network, in particular from ftp.adobe.com. However, these files tend to use the MS-DOS naming conventions, which confuse the auto-configure mode of the new LaserWriter 8.0 driver.
One option is to manually configure the driver; another is to manually rename the files. However, this handy HyperCard utility will automatically convert a single PPD or an entire folder of PPDs with just one click!
HOW DOES IT WORK?
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PPD Converter scans each PPD file and checks to see that it is a valid Version 4.0 PPD. Once this is verified, it looks for the ╥Product╙ field within╤which is the name the LaserWriter driver looks for first. It then changes the name of the file to the Product name. If another file with that name exists, it then uses the ╥NickName╙ field. This sometimes occurs when there is more than one PPD for a printer model. It also changes the PPD file╒s type to ╥TEXT╙ and its creator to ╥PPDf╙. An enclosed icon-file will make these files show up as ╥PostScript Printer Definition files╙ when you select Get Info... and will also give them unique icons.
HOW DO I USE IT?
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Ñ To convert a single PPD:
Click on the ╥Convert One PPD...╙ button. You will be prompted for the name of a PPD file. This option will only show files of type ╘TEXT╒, ╘BINA╒, or ╘????╒.
Ñ To convert a folder of PPDs:
Click on the ╥Convert PPD Folder...╙ button. You will be prompted for the name of a folder. Any non-PPD files, or non-4.0 PPDs, will be ignored.
Ñ To copy PPDs instead of renaming:
Hold down the Option key while clicking on either of the above options, and the utility will copy the files and convert linefeeds to returns in the process. This is not necessary to use the PPDs, and will also signifigantly reduce the speed of the conversion. Please note, however, that if there are multiple PPDs with the same ╥Product╙ field╤i.e., printers that respond identically to queries╤only the alphabetically-last PPD with that Product will remain at the end of the copy process.
Ñ To give PPD files their own icon:
Copy the ╥PostScript Printer Definition╙ file anywhere onto your hard drive. Any PPDs converted with PPD Converter will now have a special PPD icon. Also, you will notice that instead of being called ╥document╙ by the Finder, they are called ╥PostScript Printer Definition document╙.
SPECIAL FEATURES SUPPORTED:
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Ñ Balloon Help under System 7.
Ñ Aliases are resolved under System 7.
VERSION HISTORY:
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Version 1.0 6/19/93
Initial release. Tested on a Macintosh IIfx running HyperCard 2.1 and System 7.1. Should work on other Macintoshes, I hope.
Version 1.0.1 6/22/93
╤Added a progress indicator to the folder conversion.
╤Fixed a bug that caused PPDs renamed with the NickName instead of the Product to have the wrong type/creator after conversion.
╤Changed the copy routine so that it is no longer necessary to hold down the Option button during the entire process.
╤Fixed a bug in the Cancel routine for folder conversions.
╤Updated the documentation to include instructions for using the ╥PostScript Printer Definition╙ file.
KEEPING IN TOUCH:
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Rob Levandowski Internet: macwhiz@cif.rochester.edu
