Adobe Systems Inc, Mountain View, California is to release an upgraded version of its PostScript printing and display software which will include new forms, patterns, colour models and screening capabilities. The forms feature in PostScript Level 2 enables users to define a form that stays cached between pages, so only information that changes between forms will need to be interpreted for each page. Pattern operators describe an image used to tile an area of the page and will be saved in a pattern cache, to improve performance. The algorithms for determining the angles and frequencies which are used for half-tone screens have been improved to produce higher-quality colour seperations. Deviceindependent colour spaces has also been incorporated. This enables users to specify their choice of colours and receive them exactly in their output, regardless of which PostScript device is used to create that output in print or on a display. Adobe says it has enhanced existing PostScript features by optimising performance of the PostScript interpreter, incorporating data and image decompression techniques that reduce time of transmission for PostScript language programs and adding new graphics and text operators, optimised for performance. Printer support and memory management have also been improved. Systems-level drivers for the Macintosh, Windows 3.0 and OS/2 environments are being written to take advantage of the new features in PostScript Level 2 printers and enhance the performance of existing PostScript devices. The drivers will reduce printing time and include support for printer-specific features, such as multiple paper trays and duplex printing. The company is also developing new controllers based on RISC technology to make use of the speed and processing power of RISC microprocessors. PostScript Level 2 is upwardly compatible with existing PostScript language programs and print drivers. Adobe expects the first Level 2 products to be introduced early in 1991. Original equipment manufacturers developing the products will announce exact delivery dates.
