Using EPS data with execform

[BillSanders]

I'm developing an application to take Delphax and Xerox LCDS variable data to PostScript. All of the variable data, font indexing, etc are worked out. Now I'm faced with the complexity of incorporating electronic forms merged with variable data.

The electronic form must be in-line to the PostScript program to facilitate printing on multiple devices. THe form will be referenced when needed using the &quot;<formname> execform&quot; operator. Experimenting with several 'execform' programs drawing boxes, etc. work fine.

However, when I converted the TIFF image to EPS using tiff2ps, I receive an error:
&quot;Error: /undefined in --get--
Operand stack:
--dict:1/1(L)-- --dict:1/1(L)-- Matrix
Execution stack:
%interp_exit .runexec2 --nostringval-- --nostringval-- --nostringval-- 2 %stopped_push --nostringval-- --nostringval-- false 1 %stopped_push 1 3 %oparray_pop 1 3 %oparray_pop 1 3 %oparray_pop 1 3 %oparray_pop .runexec2 --nostringval-- --nostringval-- --nostringval-- 2 %stopped_push --nostringval-- 1 3 %oparray_pop --nostringval-- false 1 %stopped_push 1 3 %oparray_pop --nostringval--
Dictionary stack:
--dict:1116/1686(ro)(G)-- --dict:0/20(G)-- --dict:92/200(L)--
Current allocation mode is local
Last OS error: No such file or directory&quot;

Any help understanding how to utilize graphical data such as TIFF images or EPS data would be greatfully appreciated.

Bill Sanders
NearStar, Inc.

http://www.nearstar.com

 

[tral]

Check

http://www.acumentraining.com/Acumen_Journal/AcumenJournal_Dec2002.zip

I found there information how to place TIFF into a PS.
In the post &quot;How to place EPS into a PS&quot; in this forum you can find the excellent explanation of Thomas D. Greer about using EPS data in PS file like form and calling it with &quot;<formname> execform&quot;.
regards,
Trifon Alekov

 

[tgreer]

TIFFs are a little tricky, because firstly there are many different versions of the TIFF format, so writing a GENERIC TIFF-handler would take... a long time.

Second, you'll have to have some method of determining where the image data in a TIFF actually begins. Of course this is given to you by the TIFF, so you either need to understand how to read the TIFF format, or have a utility that tells you: strip bytes, bits per component, # of colors, etc.

Search the posts on this forum, you'll find that the issue of how to deal with EPS's in a form has been dealt with, both by using the &quot;run&quot; operator to access an EPS on the filesystem, and by including the EPS within your PostScript program.



Thomas D. Greer

http://www.tgreer.com