Convert PS2 to ART

Understanding PS2 and ART file formats

PS2 files are typically associated with PostScript Level 2, a page description language used for printing and desktop publishing. These files contain instructions for printers to render text and graphics. On the other hand, ART files are most commonly known as AOL Compressed Bitmap Images, used by America Online for efficient image storage and transmission. ART files are raster images with high compression, primarily used for web graphics in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Why convert PS2 to ART?

Converting a PS2 (PostScript Level 2) file to an ART image file may be necessary if you need to use vector-based print graphics in legacy AOL or web environments that require the ART format. This process involves rendering the PostScript content to a raster image and then encoding it in the ART format.

How to convert PS2 to ART

Direct conversion from PS2 to ART is not commonly supported by most mainstream software, as ART is a proprietary and outdated format. However, you can achieve this conversion through a two-step process:

1. Convert PS2 to a standard raster format (such as BMP or PNG) using a tool like Ghostscript or IrfanView.
2. Convert the raster image to ART using legacy software that supports ART export, such as older versions of IrfanView with the appropriate plugins.

Recommended software for PS2 to ART conversion

• Ghostscript: Use Ghostscript to render the PS2 file to a raster format (e.g., BMP or PNG). Open your PS2 file and export it as a bitmap image.
• IrfanView: Open the raster image in IrfanView. With the Formats plugin installed, go to File → Save As and select ART as the output format. Note that ART support may only be available in older versions of IrfanView.

Step-by-step conversion process

1. Open your PS2 file in Ghostscript or a compatible viewer.
2. Export the file as a BMP or PNG image.
3. Open the exported image in IrfanView.
4. Go to File → Save As and choose ART as the output format.

Important considerations

• ART format is obsolete and not widely supported by modern software.
• Quality may be lost during conversion due to compression and rasterization.
• Ensure you have the necessary plugins for ART support in IrfanView.