Convert PDL to PDS

Understanding PDL and PDS file formats

PDL stands for Page Description Language, which is a type of file format used to describe the layout and content of a printed page. It is commonly used in printing and desktop publishing applications to ensure that documents are printed consistently across different devices.

PDS is a file format associated with the Planetary Data System, which is used to store and distribute scientific data collected from planetary missions. PDS files are often used by researchers and scientists to analyze and share data related to space exploration.

How to convert PDL to PDS

Converting a PDL file to a PDS file involves transforming a page layout description into a format suitable for scientific data storage. This conversion is not straightforward due to the different purposes of these formats. However, specialized software can facilitate this process.

Best software for PDL to PDS conversion

One of the best tools for converting PDL to PDS is Adobe Acrobat. Although it primarily handles PDF files, it can be used to export PDL files into a format that can be further processed into PDS. Follow these steps:

• Open the PDL file in Adobe Acrobat.
• Go to File → Export → PDF.
• Use a secondary tool like NASA's PDS4 Tools to convert the exported file into PDS format.

Another option is to use custom scripts or conversion services that can handle specific data transformations required for PDL to PDS conversion.