Open PS files

  • Full name
    Adobe PostScript Format
  • Developer
    Adobe Systems
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a PS file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a PS file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your PS file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is PS file?

The suffix PS is used for postscript files that represent a graphics format in the page description language postscript. A PS file, in contrast to Encapsulated Postscript files (with the extension eps) can also contain several pages. Also, PS files do not have to comply with the special requirements of the Adobe Document Structuring Conventions like eps files.

More info

PS files are less for the import or export of graphics thought, it is used eps. Ps files are ultimately created for printing, while the main application of eps files or eps graphics is to be inserted into other PS documents.

PS files can contain any combination of text, images, fonts, or vector graphics. These elements can be described (vector graphics) or embedded (bitmap graphics). This makes PS a very versatile format and also has the advantage of scalability. Unlike eps files, PS files do not contain a thumbnail image.

PS files have the advantage of being output directly to a Postscript printer. Meanwhile, the PS format has been largely supplanted by other page layout file formats such as PDF.

But there are quite a few commercial as well as free programs that can read and create PS files. Some programs, such as Scribus and Irfanview need to import PS files in addition to the free Ghostscript interpreter, which then takes care of the processing of this data.

Programs which can open a PS file

How to open file with PS extension?

In order to open a file with PS extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening PS file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with PS files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Adobe Illustrator or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening PS files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support PS files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of PS files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Adobe Illustrator as the default program for opening PS files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate PS files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Adobe Illustrator applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Adobe Illustrator has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with PS files

Sometimes problems with opening PS files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • PS files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open PS files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • PS file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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