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Translating PRN Files

Translating PRN Files

Translating PRN Files

(OP)
I have some .prn files and would like to view and edit the
contents.  Is there any software capable of importing or opening these files?

RE: Translating PRN Files

Stoker,

From what I have been able to glean, the .prn file format does not exist, per se.  What gets written to the prn file depends on which printer/driver was in use at the time.  It is simply a stream of printer commands and could represent PCL, Postscript, etc.  Sounds like a tall order for software to re-create the original data from this in a blind fashion.  Anyone else have more on this?

Regards,
M. Smith

RE: Translating PRN Files

I am sure that msmith is correct.  The only way to read the contents of the .prn file is to send it to the printer for which it was written (or to a very closely relasted printer).

eg try sending the same file as *.prn to two different printers and compare them - they will differ quite markedly.
(You don't need the physical printers, just tell your OS what printer you are trying to send the file to)

RE: Translating PRN Files

ProductVision will open it, and lets you manipulate them a bit. I use it to compare/contrast files, be they iges, dxf, postscript, prn's, bmp's or whatever.

RE: Translating PRN Files

If you take a look at the most recent edition of CADALYST Magazine (May 2002) they list several viewing programs that work iwth CAD Applications.  They give WiseVIEW a five star rating and I know that version 4.5 will work with PRN files.  You can see the product at www.wiseview.com.

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