PDF File Processing Resources
If you use pdflatex, a PDF file is created directly from the .tex file.
There is no need for any conversion. However, if you need to convert graphics files in
EPS format into PDF, MiKTeX includes a command-line utility called epstopdf.
Just give it the name of the eps file, and it will be converted into PDF.
If using the latex-dvips method, you can still create PDF files using GhostView
(instructions below).
These can be read using Acrobat Reader
Acrobat Reader.
For more information on PDF and Acrobat products, see the
Adobe website.
To create PDF files, you can either:
- Purchase
Acrobat from Adobe.
This has many other features (Word to PDF, thumbnails, etc)
- Use GhostView to convert from PS to PDF
(instructions below)
Note: if your intention is create onscreen-viewable documents (rather than
printed ones), it is best to change to Helvetica font in the original document.
To do this, simply use
\usepackage{pslatex}
in the original LaTex file.
Note: This may cause problems with some math fonts, such as $\jmath$. Instead, try
\renewcommand{\sfdefault}{phv}
\renewcommand{\rmdefault}{phv}
To create PDF files from EPS using the Command-Line
MiKTeX has a utility called epstopdf. Simply use it from the command-line
to convert the supplied EPS file into a PDF suitable for inclusion in a LaTeX document.
PDF ToolKit
This is a command-line utility for manipulating PDF files.
See pdftk - the pdf toolkit for downloads and
instructions for use.
To create PDF files using GhostView
You must have GhostView installed, as previously described.
- Start GhostView, and open the PostScript (.ps) file.
- Select File-Convert, select device pdfwrite and
a resolution of at least 300 (600 preferred).
- Click OK, and enter an output file name with .pdf extension.
- Open the PDF file in either GhostView or Acrobat Reader, and check that the resolution is acceptable.
If you prefer to do this using a batch file in a command window, use the following commands
(modify depending on where your GhostScript is installed)
path=%path%;c:\gs\gs8.14;
ps2pdf file.ps file.pdf
To convert PDF files back to EPS
This situation occurs sometimes if you have external documents in PDF format,
and you wish to include the document in a LaTeX document as an EPS file.
You must have GhostView installed as previously described.
- Start GhostView, and open the Portable Document Format (.pdf) file.
- Select File-Convert, select device pswrite and
a resolution of at least 300 (600 preferred).
- Click OK, and enter an output file name with .ps extension (PostScript).
- If you require an encapsulated PostScript (.eps) file for inclusion in LaTeX,
open the .ps file and select PStoEPS, and enter an output file
name with .eps extension (encapsulated PostScript).
- Open the EPS file in GhostView, and check that the resolution is acceptable.
Also click "Options-Show BoundingBox" to see the extent of the EPS
image file and make sure it is acceptable.
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