From: cpw8034@zeus.tamu.edu (CHI PIN WEN)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.applications
Subject: PageStream2.2: Importing EPS and DRAW formats + MULTIPLOT V1.1
Date: 9 Apr 92 08:24:00 GMT
Organization: Texas A&M University, Academic Computing Services
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41


Okay, when I recently griped about the Amiga not being able to produce
jaggie-free quality plots on COMP.SYS.AMIGA.ADVOCACY, I received a number
of suggestions to use multiplot.  In conjunction with the PLT-Handler it 
delivers some laser-quality graphs on my HP DeskJet.  However, I'm 
dissappointed by the fact that it's suppose to be able to save to a number
of formats including AegisDraw and EPS (encapsulated postscript)... and that
I can't seem to be able to import them as I should be able to with
PageStream2.2.  I read the directions on both programs very carefully and I
can't seem to be able to get anything printed at all.  

Please correct me if I'm incorrect:  Importing an EPS is more or less the
same as if I imported an IFF/ILBM to a PageStream document...  Select
IMPORT/GRAPHICS and select the file at the requestor.  PageStream will then
show me what type of format it is in or tell me that it can't recognize it.
I then just select the format to which is to be converted to (eg as an object
or as a picture window or whatever).  When PageStream shows me a "paste"
pointer/icon, I simply select a location and either resize it or just plop 
it down... right?  Now, I also understand that PageStream will however not
be able to display some formats such as the postscript although I'm able to
manipulate and print it out.  All I get is a object "box" where the picture
should be...

Now, trying to isolate the problem to either PageStream, MuliPlot (in 
generating the EPS and DRAW files to begin with), or me, I used crossdos
to send it over to my roomate's 486 running PageMaker 4.0.  He in exchange
transfered HIS EPS file to a 720k disk which I crossdos'ed it to my Amiga.
NOPE... still no go.  I got the same result with his EPS file as I did with
the MultiPlot generated EPS files.  My roomate has his own HP DJ as well...
Same thing on his PageMaker.  He loaded the EPS file onto his document.  He
was able to resize, move, and what have you the EPS object as a PageMaker
object.  He wasn't able to view it either.  Attempting to print it out
resulted in the same thing...

I tried a lot of differnet techniques... nothing.  I can only plot it out
from Multi-Plot through the PLT-Handler (really good output I may add).  
Well, here's the last thing I tried that didn't work... I set the output
driver on PageStream from HP DJ to HPGL Plotter but sent the output to a 
disk file instead of the PAR: or SER: device (yes, I tried it through the
PLT: device too...).  Then with the HPGL format saved on disk, I copied
the file contents literally to the PLT: and it printer-plotted my printer
output on my DeskJet just as it would have on a real plotter... well the
EPS object still didn't show up although the rest of the page did just as
if I sent it to the PAR: -DeskJet straight.  

As far as using the AegisDraw file format, even though PageStream will 
recognize that it's a DRAW file, it won't even give me a paste pointer/icon.

I tried all day with the setup and still to no avail.  BTW, I'm running 2.04
if that has anything to do with it.  Being able to import structed plots
mixed with digitized samples and outline text will be less than spectacular
on my lab reports if I can get it to work.  BTW, I also wonder what would
happen if I filled a Pagestream page with an IFF picture and saved it as
a HPGL file and plotted it out on a real HP Plotter?  Hmmm...  anyway,
I'll REALLY appreciate ANY suggestions anyone may be able to provide me on
this.  Just look at the time this message was posted!  Hope to hear from 
you VERY soon!

Alan Wen
Texas A&M University