epf2png converts files from EPS format (Encapsulated PostScript) to PNG (Portable Network Graphics), JPEG or GIF formats. It uses Ghostscript to produce the images. Since modern GhostScript programs do not support GIF due to copyright issues, GIF images are produced via an additional converter from the Portable BitMap package. This program is distributed under the Perl Artistic License and the GPL. PREREQUISITES ------------- Perl5.004 or better. Unix (although it is rumoured to work on Windows). A GhostScript installation that can handle the desired output formats (use `gs -h' to get a list of supported formats). If you want GIF format and your GhostScript cannot produce this, the Portable BitMap package (pbmplus or netpbm). INSTALLATION ------------ The program is distributed in the form of a gzipped tar (.tar.gz) file, eps2png-x.y.tar.gz, where x.y reflect the version number. Unpack this file in a scratch directory: % gzip -d < eps2png-x.y.tar.gz | tar -xvf - This will create a sub-directory eps2png-x.y. Change to this directory: % cd eps2png-x.y Execute the following commands. Note that this is the standard procedure for Perl extensions and programs: % perl Makefile.PL % make all % make test (see note below) % make install The last command requires superuser (root) privilege. Note that the program will be installed with the Perl binaries (e.g. /opt/perl-5.6.1/bin). If you want a different location, e.g. /usr/bin, use: % perl Makefile.PL INSTALLSCRIPT=/usr/bin % make ... The program is installed under the name eps2png. When invoked like this, it produces PNG images by default. You may install it under alternative names (or create links) for other default image formats: eps2gif -- will produce GIF images by default eps2jpg -- will produce JPEG images by default Note that, in any case, the desired output format can be selected using command line options. WHEN make test FAILS -------------------- The tests work by converting a test EPS to each of the supported formats, and comparing the results with reference images. Changes in the image drivers of Ghostscript may cause such a test to fail, when the generated image is not byte-by-byte indential to the reference image. When any of the 'make test' tests fails in test 4 or 5, please manually convert some images and decide whether the program is doing its job as it should. In this case, it can be safely installed. AVAILABILITY ------------ eps2png: http://search.cpan.org/search?mode=dist&query=eps2png http://www.squirrel.nl/people/jvromans/sw_eps2png.html Ghostscript: http://www.ghostscript.org (GNU Ghostscript) http://sourceforge.net/projects/ghostscript (AFPL Ghostscript) Portable BitMap package: These packages (libgr from RedHat, netpbm and pbmplus) seems so abundant that I couldn't find any official web links ;-). ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Johan Vromans jvromans@squirrel.nl Squirrel Consultancy Haarlem, the Netherlands http://www.squirrel.nl http://www.squirrel.nl/people/jvromans PGP Key 2048/4783B14D http://www.squirrel.nl/people/jvromans/pgpkey.html ----------------------- "Arms are made for hugging" ------------------------