SEP spec documentation

Question

The answer is "none" as far as delivered docs go. 
 The question is (mainly aimed at Jonathan D or anyone else in Engineering with info): 
 Does ANY documentation/notes exist relating to how the SEP spec is used with regard the *r, *c, *s structures in the SEP rules?

Jonathan Dagresta · Accepted Answer

Hi Mark, 
 Yes, it's true that there is no delivered documentation as to the "programming language" of the SEP spec. 
 However, it's a bit misleading to say that there is "no" documentation about the SEP spec. There are a couple of chapters about the SEP spec in the Tints, Colors, and Pattern Management manual (tints.pdf). 
 That said, dealing with the "programming language" (e.g. *r, *c, *s) of the SEP spec is not for the faint of heart. 
 I'm not aware of any internal documentation or notes related to this subject either. 
 Might be best to consider engaging Professional Services for this kind of thing, or if there's specific "things" you think should be added as features of XPP related to this then there's XPP SDL Ideas for that. 
 But I'm thinking that if you put your mind to it that you probably can figure it out. 
 With the caveat that what follows is not necessarily correct (nor complete), and I'm not responsible for it's accuracy, and it is all subject to change (I had to say all of that), from looking at the comments in the code that reads the SEP spec I'll try to give just a bit of help here:

Syntax 
 Meaning

*f filename 
 Outputs contents of file filename containing PostScript. Files must be in the /xz/sys/od/ps folder.

*#n 
 
 Outputs a shape parameter value where "#" is the index number of a shape parameter and the "n" specifies that no conversion is needed. Instead of "n", other conversion values could be used: "q" = convert shape parameter value to points (value/352) "f" = convert shape parameter value to quarter points (value/(352*4)) "t" = convert shape parameter value to tenths of points (value/(352*10))

*c# 
 Outputs PostScript for a color (according to definition in color spec), affected by the "tint" number. The "#" can be a number or can be in the form *#n (see above for definition of *#n).

*s# 
 Outputs PostScript for a color, without having the tint number affect the density of the color (i.e. at 100%). The "#" can be a number or can be in the form *#n (see above for definition of *#n).

*rA,B 
 Outputs PostScript for a defined pattern or for another rule by expanding table number A, rule number B (from the SEP spec). "A" must be a number. "B" can be a number or *#n (see above for definition of *#n).

All other characters are output as is (and assumed to be part of valid PostScript syntax).

Index 
 Shape Parameter (some index values reused for different types of shapes)

0 
 shape type

1 
 priority

2 
 width

3 
 depth

4 
 (main) color

5 
 pattern

6 
 outline type

6 
 graphic option

7 
 outline size

7 
 graphic scale

8 
 corner radius

8 
 graphic crop x

9 
 screen angle

9 
 rule width

9 
 graphic crop y

10 
 screen frequency

10 
 graphic crop width

11 
 alternate color

11 
 graphic crop height

12 
 dash length

12 
 graphic name

13 
 space between dashes

Value 
 Shape Type

0 
 rectangle

1 
 rectangle with rounded corners

2 
 circle or ellipse

3 
 table cell

4 
 background rectangle

5 
 block background

7 
 text to tint or fill with pattern

8 
 gradient fill

9 
 angled line

Value 
 Tint/Pattern Outline Type

0 
 no outline

1 
 single outline

4 
 double outline

5 
 double outline within region

6 
 double outline outside region

7 
 double outline (with outer line twice as thick as inner line)

8 
 double outline within region (ditto)

9 
 double outline outside region (ditto)

10 
 double outline (with inner line twice as thick as outer line)

11 
 double outline within region (ditto)

12 
 double outline outside region (ditto)

13 
 dashed outline

14 
 dashed outline within box

15 
 dashed outline outside box

XPP > XPP

SEP spec documentation