PostScript is a programming language that allows to define highly precise, real coordinate graphics, which I often use to directly print out geometric accurate pieces.
This is a random collection of hacks that might be worthwhile for others to use. Consider them (c) H.Zeller h.zeller@acm.org, licensed Creative Commons BY-SA.
All of these typically have a configuration section at the top that allows to modify the parameters. Just configure, verify in ghostscript and print out. If your printer is properly calibrated, it should print this in the exact measurements (beware certain PostScript -> PDF conversion with subsequent PDF printing: these programs often attempt to be too smart for their own good and scale the image to what they think the margins of the paper is. So make sure to always set the margins to zero).
For rotational applications, it is often needed to keep track of the
turns. The encoder-wheel.ps is freely configurable in
radius and number of segments displayed.
Here configured for 12 steps with an inner radius of 20mm and an outer radius of 30mm. The output also includes some helpful measurements:
To measure absolute positions, you need a gray encoder wheel. The PostScript
file gray-wheel.ps allows to choose the number of bits,
outer diameter and encoder bar width.
.. alternatively, this can be a band with gray values, if you need to absolutely
encode linear positions by setting /make-gray-band to true
If you're soldering a lot of SMD parts and need to check measurements or
count leads, the smd-ruler.ps might be useful for you.
The metric-imperial-diameter.ps creates
a chart to get a visual understanding about the relationship between metric
and imperial measurements and hole-sizes. Typically good to gauge drill sizes.
To eye test with Landolt rings (DIN 58220) directly on a monitor.
Modify the /view-distance and /screen-width which automatically
caluculates the right scaling, and view in full-screen on monitor.
If /do-random is set to true, the rings turn randomly with each reload.
Just given a simple list of labels, create full-page labels that fit into
a rectangular space best, using the largest font-size possible. This is the
page-label.ps script.
Just append at the end of the PostScript page. For instance
%%Page:
(Goggles\nGloves) show-max
%%Page:
(Drills\nMills) show-max
.. creates these
The box-label.ps script creates little labels for SMD boxes.
To be printed on blank sticker page. With a simple script addition appended
at the bottom like this:
{ (1.0) Ohm } box
{ (1.1) Ohm } box
{ (1.2) Ohm } box
% and so on
... the output is like:
There were little Ascii graphics in the typewriter times. I got interested
when seeing
this image
This program parses such instructions and prints them out. You've to find the book to fully type all the instructions. I only got to page 84-85, while there are pages 86..90 have yet to be typed in, so the following image is incomplete. (Gladly accepting pull requests... Just edit the PostScript file while having it open in okular or similar that reloads whenever you save.)
Playing around with mirror reflection on curved surfaces described by a function and its derivative.
To laser cut a parametrized glued chipboard or paper box. Score lines and cut lines are different colors for different dxf channels.
