What is the difference between DVI and PDF mode?
In PCTeX 6 there are two formatting modes: DVI and PDF. DVI mode operates the same way as pre-PCTeX 6 versions, while PDF mode is new. In the source view there is a dropdown as shown above which allows you to choose which mode to use when formatting your document. In many cases it doesn't matter which mode you use, and in some cases you can switch modes. Below are some reasons to use each:
DVI mode
- Produces a typeset view within the PCTeX application.
- Allows jumping between the source and typeset views - just click F8 to go to the corresponding position in either view.
- Is the preferred mode during the edit/format cycle, when you are continually moving between the source and typeset views.
- Can accept the following graphics file formats: EPS (Encapsulated PostScript), BMP, JPG, GIF, TIFF, WMF. (Note that with PCTeX 6 Professional you can also include PDF graphics files.)
- Can make a PDF from DVI using the PDF button in the typeset view toolbar.
- Does not work well with the beamer slide presentation style.
- Is best for documents produced by earlier versions of PCTeX, since it accepts \special commands introduced by \setbmp, \setwmf, and others.
PDF mode
- Produces a typeset view in a separate application, usually Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader.
- Produces a nice index for easy navigating within a document.
- Works well with the beamer slide presentation style.
- Can accept the following graphics file formats: PDF, PNG, and JPG. (Note that with PCTeX 6 Professional EPS (Encapsulated PostScript), BMP, GIF, and TIFF will also work.)
- Does not allow jumping between source and typeset views.
- Does not work with documents made with earlier PCTeX versions which use the \special commands introduced by \setbmp, \setwmf, and others.
Use both modes
- Often it works well to use DVI mode while writing and editing a document, and then switch to PDF mode to produce the final draft.
- If you incorporate graphics using PCTeX 6 Professional's Graphics Wizard there is no problem switching between DVI and PDF modes.