Re: ps2pdf and xpdf problems.

[Alan Shutko <ats@acm.org>]

Dale Scheetz <dwarf@polaris.net> writes:

> I've been converting my Debian book to LaTeX so that I can release it
> under the GFDL. The layout is on a non-standard page size, which seems to
> be the cause of the problem.

[...]

> Any suggestions?

First, don't use ps2pdf.  Try using pdflatex or dvipdfm.  Both are
much less hazard-prone than ps2pdf, and in learning how to use them
you'll also find hyperref, which will make the resulting PDF much more
useful to people (ie, hyperlinks and bookmarks).

Second, if you have to use ps2pdf, you need a recent version.  You
need at least GS 6.0, which means you need one of the AFPL-licensed
versions.  Don't waste your time trying to make 5.50 output decent
PDF, since it converts all fonts except the base 14 to type 3 fonts,
poorly rendered by Acrobat Reader and not rendered at all by xpdf.
(Which is probably your problem.)

Third, use the Type 1 versions of Computer Modern.  By default, dvips
will use metafont-created bitmaps and turn them into a type 3 font.
*shudder* These cause so many problems in the acrobat chain it's
horrifying.  It seems this is also one of your problems since
Distiller was creating "sketched in" fonts.

Feel free to email me with detailed questions.  I do PDFs all the
time... email me for a sample.

-- 
Alan Shutko <ats@acm.org> - In a variety of flavors!
If you waste your time cooking, you'll miss the next meal.