What on earth is PSAlter?

• View Mode (viewing PostScript files)
• Encapsulated PostScript conversion
• PSAlter and TWAIN
• Introduction to the PSAlter workbench
• Font handling details
• Programmer's guide to PSAlter level 2 support

Interesting fact? Since 10 May 1996 you are visitor number .

So assuming you have a passing interest in PostScript, what can PSAlter do for you? Here are the big things.

• PSAlter can view PostScript files on screen.
• PSAlter can convert PostScript files to a variety of formats.
• PSAlter has the only serious PostScript debugging environment available.
• PSAlter is the only PostScript application to give comprehensive explanations for all PostScript errors, as they occur, with the option to ignore or (possibly) fix them, and continue.

What's that about viewing files?

Tell me about conversion!

If you have applications that support TWAIN, you may not even have to use Export. PSAlter acts like a scanner to, in effect, scan PostScript direct into your application.

What about this debugging environment?

Here are just some of the features of the Workbench.

• Run PostScript programs flat out, or single step. Single stepping is not a line at a time (which is all our closest rival can manage) but right into procedures.
• Set breakpoints on a variety of conditions.
• Open viewers for PostScript data including all stacks, graphics state, and any PostScript object. Follow to embedded objects just by double clicking.
• View partial pages. You can overlay the current path and clip path to see how the PostScript program builds up images.
• Browse and edit large programs (up to tens of megabytes) quickly.
• Set 'watches' to see the current value of any object.
• Enter Executive mode to type your own PostScript commands at any time, even while another program is running.

Anything else?

What's the bad news?

• PSAlter does not contain an Adobe PostScript interpreter, and is in no way endorsed by Adobe Systems. It therefore joins the long list of PostScript clones referred to as PostScript compatible .
• PSAlter is for Microsoft Windows (3.1) and up, only.
• PSAlter is not free. This may seem a strange thing to bring up, but PSAlter will inevitably be compared with GhostScript, which is free. We believe PSAlter offers features which make it worth the difference - mainly ease of installation and use, and facilities for debugging.
• PSAlter does not have a 'print' facility, to allow you to turn a non-PostScript printer into a PostScript printer. There seem to be enough such programs already.
• PSAlter does not support full PostScript level 2, though you can switch on support for a limited number of features. Why? We thought you'd rather have PSAlter this year! The majority of PostScript files in circulation are still level 1, and almost all programs can produce level 1 PostScript, so this should not be a huge problem. In fact, the level 2 features in PSAlter are designed to match those most often used by programmers and drivers, so a high proportion of level 2 programs will, in fact, work. We have a list of level 2 features supported.
• PSAlter is not a graphical editor. You can edit PostScript programs, but not modify the images on screen. One program which claims to do just this is Corel Draw (version 5 and above).

First,check the system requirements. PSAlter needs Windows 3.1 upwards with 4 megabytes of RAM and 4 megabytes of hard disk space. If you want to view pictures at very high resolutions, especially in 24-bit colour, more RAM may be needed. PSAlter has been subjected to limited testing in Windows 95, Windows NT 3.51 (on Intel), and OS/2 Warp, and appears to work in those environments too.

PSAlter is available at the introductory price of £200 (UK pounds sterling) plus VAT at 17.5% (if you are in Europe), direct from Atlantic Coast. Shipping is 4 pounds to the UK, 8 pounds to the rest of the world. We accept major credit cards.

For information only: at the time of writing there are approximately 1.6 US dollars to each UK pound, so 200 pounds is around 320 dollars. Rates vary.

If you like, you can download order forms and post or fax them to us. Or call Atlantic Coast with your credit card now!

Atlantic Coast only handle sales, not technical enquiries. You can reach Atlantic:

• In the UK, 'phone (01297) 552222, or fax (01297) 553366.
• International, 'phone +44 1297 552222, or fax +44 1297 553366.
• By post to Atlantic Coast plc, Station Road, Colyton, Devon, EX13 6HA, United Kingdom.

You can reach Quite Software, for all technical queries, as follows:

• By e-mail to quite@dial.pipex.com.
• By post to Quite Software, 105 Ridley Road, Forest Gate, London, E7 0LX, United Kingdom.
• By 'phone at +44 181 257 1044 (In the UK - 0181 257 1044)
• By fax to +44 181 522 1726 (In the UK - 0181 522 1726)

If you buy now, you will receive PSAlter 1.01. If you send in your registration form, you will receive a free upgrade to the new version when the testing is complete!

Updated 3 May 1997.