gvpack

Combine several graph layouts (that already have layout information)

$ gvpack [path/to/layout1.gv path/to/layout2.gv ...] > [path/to/output.gv]

$ gvpack -g [path/to/layout1.gv path/to/layout2.gv ...] > [path/to/output.gv]

$ gvpack -n [path/to/layout1.gv path/to/layout2.gv ...] > [path/to/output.gv]

$ gvpack -u [path/to/layout1.gv path/to/layout2.gv ...] > [path/to/output.gv]

$ gvpack -?

gvpack [-l label] [-p pages] [-n npages] [-o orientation] [-s size] [-d] [-q] [-v] [file ...]

-l label
    Insert label page every label pages (default: 0, no labels)

-p pages
    Arrange pages per sheet (default: 1)

-n npages
    Process max npages per input file (default: unlimited)

-o orientation
    Page orientation: portrait, landscape, seascape, upsidedown (default: portrait)

-s size
    Page size: letter, legal, a4, a3, tabloid, etc. (default: letter)

-d
    Enable debug output

-q
    Quiet mode, suppress non-error messages

-v
    Print version information and exit

gvpack is a utility from the Ghostview (GV) suite designed to concatenate multiple PostScript files into a single, DSC-conformant (Document Structuring Conventions) output file. This is particularly useful for printing workflows where several PS documents need to be combined without disrupting page ordering, bounding boxes, or printer-specific handling.

It processes input files (or stdin if none specified), rearranging pages according to options like pages-per-sheet or orientation, and inserts label pages if requested. The output is suitable for direct printing with tools like lpr or viewing in Ghostscript-based viewers.

Key benefits include preserving document structure for prolog/epilog separation, handling multi-page inputs efficiently, and supporting common page sizes/orientations. It's lightweight, relies on standard PS syntax, and integrates well with Ghostscript ecosystem.

Primarily used in Unix/Linux environments for batch printing or archiving PS documents. While modern workflows favor PDF, gvpack remains relevant for legacy PS handling or embedded systems.

Assumes DSC-compliant inputs; non-standard PS may cause issues. No stdin/stdout piping if files specified. Limited to basic PS features; complex graphics may require Ghostscript preprocessing.

Reads PS files from args or stdin; writes single PS to stdout. Redirect for saving: gvpack *.ps > output.ps

gvpack -p 2 -o landscape file1.ps file2.ps > combined.ps
Packs 2-up landscape sheets.
cat doc.ps | gvpack -l 10 > labeled.ps
Labels every 10 pages.

Developed in the early 1990s as part of the Ghostview project by Tim Theisen, enhancing PostScript handling with Ghostscript. Integrated into GV viewer suite (version 3.x+). Widely used in pre-PDF Unix printing until 2000s; maintained sporadically for legacy support.

gv(1), gs(1), psnup(1), ps2pdf(1)