I’m having trouble getting my PostScript files to work properly in Google Drive. Most of my advanced PS programs won’t display correctly using the Artifex viewer.
I’ve been trying to fix these issues one by one, but so far only about 20 out of my 2000+ PostScript programs are working correctly. I’ve found some workarounds for missing error logs and got some basic linking to work.
The main problem seems to be that Google Drive doesn’t use regular file paths like desktop applications. Instead, it uses some kind of cloud-based ID system.
I need help with these specific PostScript operations:
How do I properly define a PS read file operation?
How can I execute a PS file as a subroutine (similar to how you’d run “gonzo.ps” as a subprocess)? In Distiller, this works with a special /F command.
How do I export a modified bitmap as PostScript output? This is really important for my eBay product photos.
Basically, I want Google Drive to handle PostScript the same way Distiller does. Has anyone solved similar compatibility problems?
Google Drive’s PostScript viewer is garbage compared to desktop tools like Distiller. That cloud ID system breaks everything because PostScript needs actual file paths, not whatever Drive uses. The Artifex viewer can’t handle complex PS operations - I’ve tried and it’s unreliable as hell. You can’t read external files either - everything has to be embedded directly in your PS code. And forget about subroutine execution between files. Drive sandboxes everything, so it won’t work. Just process everything locally first, then upload the final result. For bitmap exports, convert to PDF before uploading. Drive actually handles PDFs decently, unlike raw PostScript files.
Your problem is that Google Drive wasn’t built for PostScript processing - it’s just document storage. Drive treats PS files like static documents, not executable code that can run file operations or call external resources. Here’s what’s breaking: Drive doesn’t let PostScript access its file system, so your file reads will always fail. Those cloud IDs mess up traditional file paths. Your subroutines can’t talk between PS files because Drive isolates each one when rendering. The bitmap export won’t work either. Drive’s Artifex viewer runs in restricted mode - it’ll display stuff but won’t let you output anything beyond basic rendering. That kills your eBay photo workflow right there. Honestly? Set up a hybrid system. Keep a local PostScript setup for development and testing, then just upload your final outputs to Drive. Get Ghostscript running locally for the complex bitmap stuff. You’ll save tons of time instead of trying to force 2000+ programs to work around Drive’s limitations.
totally feel u! google drive kinda sucks for handling postscript, i also struggled. best bet is to run ur scripts on a local interpreter and just upload the finished files to drive. way smoother that way!