PPage where Com10
10 messages in this thread
To the ProPage/PS gurus out there
Trying to print a COM10 envelope via PS. Set the page sizes in the
various places to the printable area the LJ4/PS has for Com10 envelopes
(9.17×3.73), with rotation set to 90 or 270 degrees (depending on how I
want to run the envelope through the printer).
Well, the printer wants B5 envelopes! Is this a fault of ProPage? Is the
problem PPage doesn't know Com10, so it picks the next biggest size?
Don't know why GD doesn't stick in more paper sizes that are common in
North America! Like who really uses paper size A3? Who can even print
A3? Who cares. Stick in some common North American paper sizes, like
Comm10.
73, Kelly
Kelly
Yes, the problem _is_ with ProPage, which is severely brain-dead in this
area!
Basically, all this is set up in the PostScript prologue, and the logic
goes roughly like this (w=page width, h=page height and all dimensions are
approx and in inches):
if h<9.8 and w<6.9 then pagesize=B5: done
if h<11.7 and w<8.3 then pagesize=A4: done
if h<11 and w<8.5 then pagesize=letter: done
if h<14 and w<8.5 then pagesize=legal: done
otherwise pagesize=unknown
Having set the pagesize, the ProPage prolog then looks to see if the
printer supports that particular pagesize-setting command (which most, but
not all, PostScript printers do) and then issues it and the printer from
that point will demand that specific size paper.
Therefore, if COM10 is less than B5 in size (I haven't got my paper size
tables to hand, so can't check) it will automatically set the printer to
look for B5 envelopes and not COM10!!
I can see _why_ it is done that way, although it is a very lazy way of
doing it.
You _could_ alter the PostScript prolog file (psprlg) to detect a page size
that would represent COM10 and set it correctly … however, the easiest
way (assuming you _never_ intend to use B5 size envelopes) is simply to get
the psprlg file into a text editor and alter both appearances of `b5' to
`com10' (or whatever the precise string your PostScript printer needs).
I hope this helps!
Mike (from the UK)
Mike, Thanks!
Have sent away the card to HP for the PostScript SIMM Tech Ref Manual, so
hopefully there will be enough information in there to understand
postscript!
I think I found the routine that does the size comparison -> getpagetype
which is called from commoninit I don't understand the syntax to properly
modify the prologue file, so I may cheat like you suggested for now.
Was going to ask you how the prologue was able to see if the printer
supports a particular pagesize, then finally realized the prologue is
executed IN THE PRINTER <DUH>. That must be the "userdict /b5 known"
(etc) statements. Whatcha know, I can understand one line of PS code!
Yes, helps lots, Mike.
73, Kelly
Yes, it sounds like you've understood your first line of PostScript code
🙂
Of course, if you want to really understand PostScript, you will need to
get the PostScript Language Reference from Adison-Wesley … I don't know
how much the tech ref manual you mention will cover.
Mike (from the UK)
Kelly,
PPage and PDRAW offer some of the best Paper Size to Artwork layout
manipulation on most platforms.
The routine (which Mike briefly mentioned) is to alter the ALTER CURRENT
PAGE/POSTSCRIPT PROLOUGE.
This requester will allow to specify exactly how the artwork will print in
relations to the page size.
Not all printers will feed all page sizes the same way…so you will have
to setup the page size as necessary.
Philip Laitar
Manager
So, Philip, how do I get the LJ4 to ask for Com10 envelopes when printing
in PS from ProPage without modifying (fixing) the postscript prologue file
for ProPage? Answer – I can't!
ProPage's prologue file only knows letter, legal, A4, and B5.
The HP LJ4 with postscript knows of Letter, Legal, A4, and Exec for paper
sizes, and B5, Com10, C5, DL, and Monarch for envelope sizes. Com10 has
to be the most popular envelope size in North America, yet Gold Disk chose
to ignore it.
I know about the ALTER CURRENT PAGE/POSTSCRIPT OUTPUT SPECIFICATIONS
requestor. Sure, I can fudge in here until the image gets printed on
Com10 envelopes where it would be if the printer thought it was dealing
with Com10 envelopes – but I shouldn't have to! If ProPage's prologue
file was updated to deal with common paper and envelope sizes, everything
would work like it should – no fudging.
73, Kelly
Kelly,
Talking of paper and envelope sizes my Ricoh printer has facilities for A4,
F5, A6, B5, B6, Letter, Government Letter, Half Letter, Legal, Government
Legal, US Executive,. Envelopes are International C5, C6, DL, US commercial
#10, Commercial 7.75"(Monarch) and Postcard.
My view is simply that if printer manufacturees can incorporate so many
sizes then it should be perfectly possible for software writers to do the
same.
Don't you think. 🙂
Pete from Dorset in Englands West Country – via Whap!
Pete, the software vendors don't have to support all the paper sizes, just
the ones I use <GRIN>….
Gawd, that's a lot of different paper sizes. Good thing the printers come
with multipurpose (and size) paper trays!
73, Kelly
Kelly,
But that is not exactly how PPage works anyway. If I create a page at
'legal' size I still must go into Alter Current Page to set the 'PAPER
SIZE' in Alter PS Prol…This is where this is set.
If I don't, I get may legal size cut off…likewise it allows me to setup
the 'location' of where the page will print.
This routine has allowed me to place a card as small as a business card in
my PS printer!
The process is different but the results are the same…however, I will
pass it on to development that we may make it more 'automatic' for the
'PAPER SIZE' to be set for various sheets/envelopes.
Philip Laitar
Manager
Philip, I already have a handle on how the Alter PS Prol.. works. If I
knew how big B5 envelopes were (only know the printable size right now),
sure I could "fudge it " much easier and tell the printer I am using B5
envelopes instead of Com10.
Yes, a more "semi-automatic" means should be incorporated instead of this
"automatic" means. First, improve the psprlg file so it knows of more
paper and envelope sizes. Second, put in some buttons in this requestor
for all the common sizes supported in the psprlg file to preset the page
size.
73, Kelly