Re: Print Reports2.0 on Dot Matrix Printer

In article <4995n6$97q_at_nuscc.nus.sg> mcblohkc_at_leonis.nus.sg (Loh Kir Chern) writes:
] Dear World,
]
] I have developed a number of reports using Reports 2.0.14.8.0, and due
] to some Management reasons, some of the reports need to be run on Dot
] Matrix printer (Epson LQ-1170 ESC/P2). What do I need to do in order
] to print postscipt output to a dot matrix ? How do I write a printer
] definition file for my report, and what ppd should I specify in my
] uiprint.txt file ?

    PPD files are _only_ used for PostScript printers. If the Epson LQ-1170 supports PostScript (and I don't think it does), they should provide a PPD files with the printer. (If they didn't, call them or your printer vendor for one).

    If it doesn't support PostScript, you can only print plain text (graphics, colors and fonts can't be done portably on dot matrix printers). You can define your printer in the uiprint.txt file as an "ASCII" (plain text) printer: list the printer's language as "ASCII" and the version as "1"; the configuration file is ignored.

    If you need to run _exactly_ the same output to both PostScript and to your dot matrix printer, you'll need to convert from one to the other. Either GhostScript or PBM Utilities can do that for you. (Email me if you want to know where to pick up these shareware tools.)

    Otherwise, you might be best off doing two print runs--one in PostScript, and one in ASCII. Or, if you don't want any graphics anyway, run only the ASCII version (most PostScript printers will do the right thing with text (non-PostScript) output).

• Bill K.

Bill Kaufman               | "ENJOY LIFE!
wkaufman_at_us.oracle.com     |           -- Eat out more often."
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