A PRN file extension is a Windows file format that allows you to use the “print to a file” option. You can convert PRN to PDF file format, by renaming it as a file of the PS extension, if your printer is a PostScript printer. You can then run it with a program like GhostScript. This tutorial will show you how to convert PRN files to PDF.
1. Install a PostScript printer driver, which is necessary to create PostScript files. You will likely find a driver on your Windows CD ROM. Here’s how to install a PostScript driver:
*Click the Start button located at the bottom-left corner of the desktop.
*Once the Start menu opens, click Settings and then Printers. Click Add Printer.
*Select Apple LaserWriter Plus or its nearest equivalent. When asked for the location of the printer, say that is a local printer so you can print to file.
NOTE: Do not make this printer your default printer.
2 After installing a PostScript driver, you will need to download and install two utilities: GhostScript and GSview.
*GhostScript is a PostScript interpreter that can be downloaded from http://www.ghostscript.com/.
*GSview is a graphical user interface used on Windows that makes GhostScript more user-friendly.
3 To install and set up GhostScript, double-click on the GSview icon and then click Option. Next, click on Advanced Configure. Change the fonts path to: -dNOPLATFONTS -sFONTPATH="c:\windows\fonts"
4. Now create the graphic files. You can first create a PDF file from a PRN by loading your Sibelius file. After doing that, click File and then Print. Go to the Printer Name box and select the nonexistent Apple LaserWriter. After clicking Print, you will be asked to save your newly created PRN file. Save the file to your desktop for easy access in the future.
5. Next, you need to open your PRN file in GSview. To do this, all you have to do is select the PRN file you saved on your desktop.
6. After opening your PRN file in GSview, click the File button located near the top of the window and select Convert on the dropdown menu that appears. You will then receive a list of the GhostScript conversion options. Select the option labeled pdfwrite. This will effectively convert your PRN file to PDF format. Make sure the resolution is set to High. Click OK when you are done.
7. Save your PDF file. And you are done!
