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FastLane now accepts files in various formats and converts them to PDF Format.
Acceptable File Formats
The FastLane system uses the file extension (the part of the file name after the period) to determine the file format to properly interpret the information. If your software does not automatically append an extension, make sure to add the appropriate one when you save your file.
The FastLane system supports only the file formats listed below. If the file format you use is not listed, save the file in either Rich Text Format (.rtf) or Text only (.txt), which are both supported in the FastLane system.
| EXTENSION |
File Type |
| .doc |
Microsoft Word |
| .eps |
Encapsulated PostScript file |
| .gz |
TeX to PDF compiler (archive) |
| .pdf |
Adobe Acrobat Distiller 3.x or higher
NOTE: Fastlane currently supports Adobe Acrobat Distiller up to Version 5.0.
NOTE: PDF files created by PDFWriter and other
blocked PDF producers
will not be accepted. |
| .prn |
Print file |
| .ps |
PostScript file |
| .rtf |
Rich Text Format file |
| .txt |
Text file |
| .wpd |
WordPerfect file |
Acceptable Formats
FastLane supports TeX/LaTeX file formats with the following extensions:
| EXTENSION |
File Type |
| .dvi |
DVI file only
· No PostScript figures
|
| .dvz |
DVI file only
· No PostScript figures
· Compressed with gzip (not pkzip!)
|
| .dar |
DVI file and PostScript figures combined into a single TAR file
· Uncompressed
|
| .dgz |
DVI file and PostScript figures combined into a single TAR file
· Compressed with gzip (not pkzip!)
|
TeX/LaTeX Archive Submissions
TeX files and archives may be transferred for conversion. However, even though the following file extensions define the conversion process, this is
not recommended! FastLane uses the
MikTeX (1.20e)
compiler, and your TeX/LaTeX compiler, macros, style files, etc., may be different. You should upload the DVI file instead.
| EXTENSION |
File Type |
| .tex |
TeX/LaTeX file only
· No PostScript figures
|
| .taz |
TeX/LaTeX file only
· No PostScript figures
· Compressed with gzip (not pkzip!)
|
| .tar |
TeX/LaTeX file and PostScript figures combined into a single TAR file
· Uncompressed
|
| .tgz |
TeX/LaTeX file and PostScript figures combined into a single TAR file
· Compressed with gzip (not pkzip!)
|
Blocked PDF Producers
While the errors vary for each producer, the root issue is that PDF files created by these producers, while appearing fine as standalone documents, have one of the following problems:
- They cannot be easily concatenated with PDF files created by other producers.
- They have problems with the manner in which they embed fonts into PDF documents.
These PDF-producing applications are blocked:
More information on the nature of these problems and FastLane's recommendations when using these applications are below.
Canvas/Deneba PDF filter
FastLane has encountered significant difficulties when attempting to concatenate PDF files produced by the Deneba PDF filter with other PDF files. When PDF files that are produced by the Deneba PDF filter (usually created by Canvas) are re-distilled using Acrobat or Ghostscript, the resulting files are easily concatenated.
FastLane recommends that you use the "I would like FastLane to re-distill my file" button, if available. Otherwise, please re-distill this file using Acrobat or Ghostscript as described in the
Creating PDF Files
section of this document. You may also contact the FastLane Help Desk for assistance.
Dvipdf(m)
FastLane has encountered significant difficulties when attempting to concatenate PDF files created by dvipdf(m) with other PDF files. As a result, FastLane can no longer accept PDF files that were produced by dvipdf(m).
FastLane recommends that you upload your DVI files and allow FastLane to convert these into proper PDF format. Please refer to the
Creating PDF Files
section of this document for more information on uploading LaTeX/TeX DVI files.
FrameMaker
Even though FrameMaker is an Adobe Product, the "Save as PDF" option produces PDF files that can't always be accepted in FastLane because the option uses the PDFWriter drivers, which are known to produce PDF files that are difficult to concatenate.
If you have created your document in FrameMaker, the best option is choose File - > Print, and check the "Print to File" option. This procedure will not send a document to a printer, but it will save a file to the location that you specify as either a PostScript (.ps) or Printer (.prn) file. You can then upload this .ps or .prn file to FastLane.
Alternatively, you can use Acrobat Distiller or Ghostscript to create the PDF files from the PostScript or Printer file. The
Creating PDF Files
section of this document contains instructions on the use of Acrobat Distiller/Ghostscript for creation of PDF files.
GhostScript Versions Prior to 6.5
FastLane can only accept files produced by GhostScript versions 6.5 and higher, since earlier versions had difficulties with font embedding. As of July 1, 2003, the highest Macintosh version that has been released is 5.5, so Macintosh users currently cannot use GhostScript as a PDF producer for FastLane.
The most recent versions of GhostScript and GSView (a Ghostscript GUI) can be downloaded from the
GhostScript Home Page (Opens new browser window).
Hewlett-Packard Intelligent Scanners
The "Save as PDF" feature on HP Intelligent Scanners produces PDF files that cannot be uploaded into FastLane.
The recommended method is to:
- Use the "Save as" feature of the scanning software to save the document as a .jpeg file.
- Import this .jpeg file into one of the supported word processor formats (Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, or WordPerfect) and save as a word processing file.
- NOTE: It is important that you "import" or "insert" the picture file into the word processing document, rather than use the "cut and paste" options.
- Upload the wordprocessing file into FastLane for conversion into PDF.
If saving the document as a .jpeg file doesn't work, or if you don't have access to the supported word processors, then attempt to "save as" or "export as" Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) from your scanning software.
NOTE: EPS files can contain only one page! This .eps file can be uploaded into FastLane, although the image quality might not be as good as a .jpeg image.
PDFWriter
PDFWriter does not produce acceptable PDF files, except under very limited circumstances. This can lead to NSF program officers and reviewers seeing garbled and/or incomplete versions of your file.
Fastlane recommends uploading one of the supported formats as identified in the
Acceptable File Formats
list at the top of this page.
If you wish to create and upload a PDF file, use Adobe Distiller (in the same package as PDFWriter) or Ghostscript.
For more information, see the tip: Using Distiller 4.0 or Higher.
More information on PDF Writer (Opens new browser window)
Ghostscript Home Page (Opens new browser window).
PhotoShop
Even though PhotoShop is an Adobe Product, the "Save as PDF" option produces PDF files that can't always be accepted in FastLane. This is because the option uses the PDFWriter drivers which are known to produce PDF files that are difficult to concatenate.
If you have created your document in PhotoShop, the best option is choose File - > Save As, and select "Encapsulated PostScript (.eps)" or "PhotoShop EPS (.eps)" as the file type.
NOTE: EPS files can contain only one page! This .eps file can be uploaded into FastLane, although the image quality might not be as good as a .jpeg image.
PStill
FastLane has encountered concatenation errors with files produced by the PostScript to PDF converter PStill. FastLane recommends that you upload your PostScript file directly.
Alternatively, you could use Acrobat Distiller or Ghostscript to create the PDF file from the PostScript or Printer file. The
Creating PDF Files
section of this document contains instructions on the use of Acrobat Distiller/Ghostscript for creation of PDF files.
If any of the links in this document are outdated, please notify the FastLane Help Desk.
Suggestions for additions or revisions to this document may be sent to flpdf@nsf.gov.
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