Preview App on macOS Ventura Drops Support for PostScript Files

[MacRumors]

Starting with macOS Ventura, released this week, the built-in Preview app on Mac no longer supports PostScript (.ps) and Encapsulated PostScript (.eps) files, according to a new Apple support document. Preview can still be used to open these files on macOS Monterey and earlier. Apple did not provide a reason for the change.

Apple recommends using other third-party Mac apps that can view or convert PostScript files. It also remains possible to print .ps and .eps files by dragging them into a Mac's printer queue with these steps on macOS Ventura, according to Apple:

1. Choose Apple menu  > System Settings, then click Printers & Scanners in the sidebar.
2. Click the the name of your printer on the right.
3. Click the Printer Queue button to open the printer queue window.
4. Drag the .ps or .eps file into the printer queue window.

Developed by Adobe in the 1980s, the .ps and .eps file formats were once widely used for desktop publishing/printing purposes. PostScript was the basis of rendering on the NeXT operating system, and was mostly replaced by the PDF format in Mac OS X.

Article Link: Preview App on macOS Ventura Drops Support for PostScript Files

 

[meme1255]

Damn. What should I use for LaTeX figures from MATLAB instead if I don't want to look for a new tool?

 

[cb3]

Boo. Lots of those files still in use.

 

[nawk]

Ugh. As an old Unix guy I rely on Preview when using LaTex and other tools that generate postscript files. It was great to tap space in Finder and get instant previews. Please change your mind Apple.

 

[rpmurray]

Looks like Apple is doubling down on dumbing down macOS.

 

[nt5672]

Looks like Apple is doubling down on dumbing down macOS.

Yep, the new Ventura Settings looks like a copy from iPadOS.

 

[Wildkraut]

Instead of lifting iOS to the level of macOS, they continue to bring the macOS level down to iOS/iPadOS.
Yeah, also a way to compensate the inabilities of iOS/iPadOS.

 

[nawk]

Please - everyone - submit feedback on this.

Feedback - macOS

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about macOS.

www.apple.com

Tell them to stop!

 

[rpmurray]

To be fair, Apple these days couldn't find its ass with both hands, so maybe this is a blessing in disguise.

 

[jayducharme]

That's a surprise and a disappointment. I still use some print shops that prefer EPS files. I know I can view them in Affinity instead, but it was convenient just to tap the space bar and get a QuickLook at the file.

 

[jorgk]

I several fields of natural sciences, Mac's are (soon were?) predominating.
Indeed, many scientific journals require authors to send in their pictures/graphics as .eps, preferably.
Seems Apple has no interest in these customers.

 

[topdrawer]

just what i always wanted, less features!

 

[Asbow]

Please - everyone - submit feedback on this.

Feedback - macOS

Apple wants to hear from you. Send us your comments and feedback about macOS.

www.apple.com

Tell them to stop!

Done

 

[4nNtt]

I suspect this is security related. PostScript is basically a programming language and could make some software vulnerable. I recall a toy program implemented in postscript ages ago. There may have been the possibility of Unicode hacks that could result in arbitrary code execution, etc.

 

[sugilbert]

Not that I use either, but it seems from the above comments, there are a lot of people still using them.
I just checked, and the Preview version is still the same: 11.0 (although the parenthetic #'s may be different)

 

[mikethemartian]

Looks like Apple is doubling down on dumbing down macOS.

That was the impression I got when they went to the macOS name.

 

[ProVideo]

Due to the ability to use embedded scripts, Microsoft removed support for EPS files in Microsoft Office programs in May 2018.

Encapsulated PostScript - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So are they doing this for security issues or can Ventura and M1/2 chips not handle a vector file format from 1987?

 

[chabig]

Encapsulated PostScript - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So are they doing this for security issues or can Ventura and M1/2 chips not handle a vector file format from 1987?

Security, almost certainly, because obviously the chips can still handle it.

 

[genovelle]

Looks like Apple is doubling down on dumbing down macOS.

This is probably a security move. Old formats seem Like they would make a great way to slip in under the radar.

 

[genovelle]

Security, almost certainly, because obviously the chips can still handle it.

Compatibility with Old abandoned formats from 30 years ago sounds like an invitation for hacking.

 

[Shirasaki]

Looks like Apple is doubling down on dumbing down macOS.

Yeah. That’s one way to merge iPadOS with macOS, by making macOS weaker overtime.

Instead of lifting iOS to the level of macOS, they continue to bring the macOS level down to iOS/iPadOS.
Yeah, also a way to compensate the inabilities of iOS/iPadOS.

And a direction I have sensed a While ago but didn’t want to accept.
What‘s the appeal of macbook if It can’t do work better than iPadOS? Plus It cant even run most popular iOS apps!

 

[Shirasaki]

Security, almost certainly, because obviously the chips can still handle it.

This is probably a security move. Old formats seem Like they would make a great way to slip in under the radar.

So my old MacBook Air becomes more and more valuable as time goes on huh… in a weird way.
Apple could’ve virtualised the preview of those files or sth. But figured removing support saves tons of money.
How about using the money that was wasted on stage manager in macOS to provide some support on this issue?

 

[FloatingBones]

If enough users provide feedback, there may be a postscript to this story.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

Good grief, why? WTH?!?!

 

[Wildkraut]

Yeah. That’s one way to merge iPadOS with macOS, by making macOS weaker overtime.

And a direction I have sensed a While ago but didn’t want to accept.
What‘s the appeal of macbook if It can’t do work better than iPadOS? Plus It cant even run most popular iOS apps!

Yep, just like the subpar backwards compatibility, breaking older Apps and pushing subscriptions.