PSZ File – What is .psz file and how to open it?
PSZ File Extension
Compressed PostScript File – file format by N/A
PSZ stands for Compressed PostScript File, an obsolete format for compressing PostScript files. PSZ files were commonly used in the early days of desktop publishing to reduce the size of large PostScript files, making them easier to store and transmit.
PSZ File Format
A PSZ file is a compressed PostScript file, which is a page description language used to create and print high-quality documents from vector graphics. The compression algorithm used in PSZ files is a variant of Lempel-Ziv-Welch (LZW), which is lossless, meaning that the original data can be reconstructed from the compressed file without losing any information.
The PSZ file format was developed by Adobe Systems, Inc. in the late 1980s as a way to reduce the file size of PostScript files and make them easier to transmit over networks. PSZ files are used in a variety of applications, including desktop publishing, prepress, and electronic document distribution.
What is a PSZ File?
A PSZ file is a compressed PostScript file format used to store graphics and text data. PostScript is a page description language used to describe the appearance of a printed page. It is a widely used format for professional printing and desktop publishing. By compressing PostScript files, PSZ files reduce the file size while maintaining the integrity of the original data. This makes them suitable for efficient storage and transmission.
How to Open a PSZ File
To open a PSZ file, you will need software that can decompress and process PostScript files. Here are some popular software options:
- Adobe Acrobat Reader (Windows, macOS, Linux): A free and widely used PDF reader that can also open and view PSZ files.
- Ghostscript (Windows, macOS, Linux): A command-line tool that can convert PostScript files to various image and text formats.
- XnView (Windows, macOS, Linux): A free and versatile image viewer that can open and display PostScript files.
Once you have installed one of these software applications, you can simply open the PSZ file by double-clicking on it or by using the “Open” command within the software. The software will decompress the file and display the contents of the PostScript file. You can then view, print, or convert the PostScript file as needed.
History and Development of PSZ Files
PSZ files, or Compressed PostScript Files, originated in conjunction with the PostScript page description language, introduced by Adobe Systems in the late 1980s. PostScript is a programming language used to describe the appearance of printed pages and has become a widely accepted standard in the printing industry. To enhance the efficiency of transmitting and storing PostScript files, a compression algorithm was developed, resulting in the creation of PSZ files.
Technical Details and Usage of PSZ Files
PSZ files utilize a proprietary compression algorithm specifically designed for PostScript files. They offer a higher compression ratio compared to general-purpose compression algorithms, effectively reducing the file size without compromising the integrity of the PostScript contents. This compression makes PSZ files suitable for efficient archival and distribution of PostScript documents, such as technical manuals, engineering drawings, and high-resolution images. They are commonly encountered in various industries, including publishing, printing, and computer-aided design (CAD). Typically, PSZ files can be decompressed using specialized software or drivers that support the PostScript language.