Semantics of DuplexNoTumble and DuplexTumble

[H. Blischke]

The PostScript Language Reference Manual's sections on the setpagedevice operator states that
<</Duplex true /Tumble false>>setpagedevice
means turning the media around a parallel to the Y axis (aka "left binding"), and
<</Duplex true /Tumble true>>setpagedevice
means turning the media around a parallel to the X axix (aka "top binding").

There is no reference to the physical dimensions of the media, thus, if the width of the media is greater than its height (a physical landscape page), setting /Tumble to true actually means turning the media around the long edge.

On the other hand, there are printers (e.g. some HP printers and some from KonicaMinolta, to my experience), which tie the interpretation of /Tumble to the physical media dimensions or even to which edge is the leading edge with respect to paper feeding.

Thus, it seems the interpretation of th IPP attribute "sides=..." depends on the implementation of /Tumble in the printer's PS interpreter.

Any comments to this weird situation?

Helge