Customizing the image saved in an Encapsulated PostScript file

When you print viewports to an EPS (Encapsulated PostScript) file, you can customize the resulting image.

Related Topics
Printed image formats
Controlling the destination and appearance of printed images

Context:

The Encapsulated PostScript Options dialog box allows you to configure the following:
Image Size

You can save an image that is the same size as the image on the screen, or you can specify the size of the image in inches or millimeters. You specify either the width or the height; Abaqus/CAE calculates the other dimension to maintain the aspect ratio of the viewports.

Text Rendering

You can specify how you want text in the viewports to appear in the printed image. You can use either PostScript fonts or request that text characters be output as small bitmaps.

Resolution

You can select from a list of standard resolutions. (For more information, see Printed image formats.) The maximum effective resolution of a raster representation EPS image is limited to the resolution of the device on which the image will be displayed. By default, Abaqus/CAE sets the resolution of an EPS image to 150 dpi. To save disk space, you should select the minimum acceptable resolution when generating raster PostScript images. For more information, see Hard-copy image quality.

Image Format

You can choose either Vector (default) or Raster format. Vector images are scalable and resolution independent. Raster (or bitmap) images are pixelated and resolution dependent and tend to decrease in quality when they are scaled.

Shading Quality

For vector images you can choose how fine curved surfaces will be shaded.

  1. From the main menu bar, select FilePrint.

    Tip: You can also click in the File toolbar.

    The Print dialog box appears.

  2. From the Destination radio buttons, choose File.

  3. In the File name text field, type the file name or click to select the file name from the standard file browser.

  4. From the Format field, select EPS.

  5. From the bottom of the Print dialog box, click the Encapsulated Postscript Format Options button.

    The Encapsulated PostScript Options dialog box appears.

  6. From the Image Size field, choose one of the following:

    • Choose Use size on screen to save an EPS image that is the same size as the overall width and height of the viewports that you select for printing. Abaqus/CAE displays the resulting size to the right of the Use size on screen radio button.

    • Choose Use settings below to specify the width or height of the resulting image in either inches or millimeters.

  7. From the Text Rendering field, choose one of the following:

    • Choose Always use PostScript printer fonts to print only font families that are commonly available on a PostScript printer (Courier, Helvetica, Times, and Symbol). Any other font is replaced by Courier, the default font.

    • Choose Use PostScript printer fonts when available to print any viewport text that appears in Courier, Helvetica, Times, or Symbol font. Text in any other font is output as small bitmaps for each character. This option requires more processing and results in a larger PostScript file. No fonts are replaced by the default font.

    • Choose Always use displayed fonts (WYSIWYG) to output all characters as small bitmaps.

  8. From the Resolution field, click the arrow and select from the list of resolutions.

  9. From the Image Format field, select Vector or Raster.

  10. For vector images, select the Shading Quality.

  11. Click OK to save your customization settings and to close the Encapsulated PostScript Options dialog box.

  12. When you have finished with the Print dialog box, click OK to generate the desired output.

    Abaqus/CAE generates the output and closes the Print dialog box. Your settings in the Print dialog box are saved for the duration of the session.