Aspose.Words PostScript File Processor for .NET

Aspose.Words PostScript File Processor for .NET is a lightweight plugin that extends the capabilities of the Aspose.Words Document Converter by enabling high-quality generation of PostScript (PS) and Printer Control Language (PCL) files. While Aspose.Words does not support loading PS/PCL directly, this plugin works in combination with the Converter (or any import plugin) to produce printer-ready outputs for publishing, batch printing, and archival.

Installation and Setup

  1. Install the Aspose.Words for .NET package via NuGet or download assemblies from the Releases .
  2. Apply your license at application startup to unlock full functionality. See Metered Licensing .
  3. For detailed instructions on package integration and framework support, visit the Installation Guide .

Key Features

High-Quality PS and PCL Generation

  • Exports PostScript Level 2/3 and PCL 5/6 outputs.
  • Preserves typography, layout, vector graphics, and images.
  • Produces device-independent files compatible with a wide range of printers.

Page Setup and Layout

  • Control paper size, margins, orientation, and bleed settings.
  • Supports standard (A4, Letter, Tabloid) and custom page sizes.
  • Define tiling/stacking for large-format printing.

Fonts and Graphics

  • Embed or subset TrueType/OpenType fonts for accurate reproduction.
  • Render charts, shapes, OLE objects, and images as scalable primitives.
  • Maintains anti-aliasing for smooth curves and diagrams.

Compression and Optimization

  • Apply image compression (Flate, LZW) and stream optimizations.
  • Balance output size and rendering performance for networks or archives.

Color Management

  • Supports RGB, CMYK, and grayscale.
  • Embed ICC profiles for color-managed workflows.

Document and Page Manipulation

  • Merge multiple PS/PCL outputs into a single file.
  • Insert, reorder, or remove pages programmatically.
  • Edit metadata (title, author, subject, keywords).

Integration with Converter

  • Use with Converter plugin after importing DOCX, PDF, HTML, or other formats.
  • Ensures end-to-end fidelity when exporting to PS/PCL.

Code Example: Create PS File with Chart 

var doc = new Document();
var builder = new DocumentBuilder(doc);

// Insert a pie chart
var shape = builder.InsertChart(ChartType.Pie, 432, 252);
var chart = shape.Chart;
chart.Title.Text = "Produced by Aspose.Words";

chart.Series.Clear();
chart.Series.Add("Series 1",
    new string[] { "Category 1", "Category 2", "Category 3" },
    new double[] { 2.7, 3.2, 0.8 });

// Save as PostScript
doc.Save("Output.ps");

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Aspose.Words load existing PS or PCL files? No, loading is not supported. The plugin only generates PS/PCL files from other formats (e.g., DOCX, PDF, HTML) using the Converter.

Q: Which formats can be converted to PS/PCL? Any format supported by Aspose.Words (DOC, DOCX, RTF, PDF, HTML, MD, ODT, etc.) can be exported to PS/PCL.

Q: Are fonts embedded in the generated files? Yes, TrueType/OpenType fonts can be embedded or subset automatically.

Q: Can I merge multiple PS/PCL documents? Yes, the API allows merging, page reordering, and metadata editing.

Q: What industries use PS/PCL processing? Publishing, enterprise IT, healthcare, finance, and any industry that requires high-volume batch printing or proofing.