LyX ⇒ import pdf figures on WinPC's

[Stef Pillaert]

I have 2 PCs, one with Win10, one with Win7.
On the Win10PC, there is a problem: importing a pdf-file as figure, LyX says there is a problem in the conversion. But the final output (ctrl-R) is OK though.
The win7 machine doesn't have this problem.
(Sidenote: on the win7, under conversions, it says for pdf-Postscript "pdftops $$i $$o", while on the win10 it says "pdf2ps $$i $$o". I tried to change this (no idea why this was different???), but no effect...)
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Stef

[Stefan Kottwitz]

Hi Stef!

LyX says there is a problem in the conversion.

What is the error message?

I think it doesn't matter if it is Windows 10 or Windows 7. However, the version of the TeX installation matters: is it TeX Live 2016, 2015, ..., or is it MiKTeX 2.9, 2.8, ... even 2.9 exists since years and maybe different on PCs if not regularly updated.

I remember that pdftops may be better (if existing). It treats fonts better and generates smaller files than pdf2ps. But compare the results yourself if you like, zoom in.

Stefan

[Stef Pillaert]

Hi Stef!

LyX says there is a problem in the conversion.

What is the error message?

(transl. from dutch:) "Error converting to useable format" (or something similar)

However, the version of the TeX installation matters: is it TeX Live 2016, 2015, ..., or is it MiKTeX 2.9, 2.8, ... even 2.9 exists since years and maybe different on PCs if not regularly updated.

It is MiKTeX 2.9. I updated it, but no result, same problem...
Stef

[Stefan Kottwitz]

If there's no other idea, I would install TeX Live 2016 and also LyX...

Stefan

[rais]

Well, I'm no LyX user, but before doing something as drastic as installing a new TeX distribution, I'd check the converter's outcome on a console (a.k.a. command prompt).
BTW: for pdf2ps to work, you need to have a working ghostscript installed (no idea if it ships with MikTeX/TeXLive or if it needs to be installed separately; for me, it came with my Linux distribution).
My next question would be, if the pdf file to be converted is really one and the same on both computers or if there's a chance that one of them is either faulty or uses pdf features not covered by the converter (yet).

KR
Rainer

[Stef Pillaert]

Well, I'm no LyX user, but before doing something as drastic as installing a new TeX distribution, I'd check the converter's outcome on a console (a.k.a. command prompt).
BTW: for pdf2ps to work, you need to have a working ghostscript installed (no idea if it ships with MikTeX/TeXLive or if it needs to be installed separately; for me, it came with my Linux distribution).
My next question would be, if the pdf file to be converted is really one and the same on both computers or if there's a chance that one of them is either faulty or uses pdf features not covered by the converter (yet).

KR
Rainer

I tried typing in a "commandpromptwindow" (is this English? Probably not...) "pdf2ps" and "pdftops", they both gave me some respons with a list of options etc..... So both commands seem at least to be recognized. But are these actually the commands that invoke the problem?
Anyway, about your second question: the pdf's are identical, that's not the problem.
Stef

[rais]

I tried typing in a "commandpromptwindow"

sounds like you've got the command prompt open, already (or where did you try to type this, exactly?)

"pdf2ps" and "pdftops", they both gave me some respons with a list of options etc..... So both commands seem at least to be recognized. But are these actually the commands that invoke the problem?

Why don't you try it? Change into the directory where this pdf file of yours resides. What does

Code: Select all

pdf2ps the-file-you're-trying-to-convert.pdf

respectively

Code: Select all

pdftops the-file-you're-trying-to-convert.pdf

tell you now?

KR
Rainer

[Stef Pillaert]

Why don't you try it? Change into the directory where this pdf file of yours resides. What does

Code: Select all

pdf2ps the-file-you're-trying-to-convert.pdf

respectively

Code: Select all

pdftops the-file-you're-trying-to-convert.pdf

tell you now?

KR
Rainer

Well, on both PC's, both commands (typed in a DOS-like command window) produce a valid .ps file (that I can open in e.g. inkscape). So that doesn't seem to be the problem...
Stef

[rais]

Well, on both PC's, both commands (typed in a DOS-like command window) produce a valid .ps file (that I can open in e.g. inkscape).

OK, so we're one step further, at least: the converter(s) work on the file in question.
Sounds to me like LyX on your Win10 machine doesn't find this converter, though.
Why that may be, I cannot answer...perhaps Scott can pitch in a thought or two to get this up-and-running;-)

KR
Rainer

[scottkosty]

I've seen a few of these reports but I have no idea what the root problem is. I think LyX is using Qt to convert to EPS to show the image on the screen, which is different from the converter used to convert for the PDF output, so that explains why one works and the other doesn't.

Since the final output is correct, I would recommend just going to the graphics options in LyX, clicking LaTeX and LyX options and unchecking "Draft mode".

Sorry for not being able to help more.