Distiller fails to render a square line cap on a zero-length line but correctly renders a round line cap on the same line. Why?

[Guest]

Page 673 of the PLRM3 clearly indicates that square and round line caps should render on a zero-length line.  However, when I distill a PostScript file with zero-length lines, the square line caps are not rendered. (Round caps are correctly rendered.)  Why this inconsistency?

[Test Screen Name]

Distiller does not render. So if you are viewing a PDF you are looking at two pieces of software: Distiller, which converts PostScript marking operators into PDF marking operators; and a PDF viewer, which renders the PDF marking operators.

Have you established, by checking the page streams generated, that Distiller is at fault (i.e. that it is converting to PDF marking operators that do not reflect your intention)?

[Test Screen Name · Accepted solution]

Also, please quote the reference to zero length paths on page 673. I may have missed it but I do not see that in my copy. (The PDF Reference is explicit on this point and reflects your experience rather than your expectation).