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· Hardware
#Laser Printers
23 messages in this thread
The card sounds great, but I really need parallel input since I'm using a
special parallel extension cable for the other Amiga in the next room. Maybe
the company makes a Centronics version? Gimme the name and I'll check it
out.
Do you do any graphics on the printer? From what program? How are the
results?
I downloaded your program last night and love it.
Roger, the name of the product is: ESI-2001 ShareSpool for LaserJet Series
II. The company is: Extended Systems, 6062 Morris Hill, P.O. Box 4937,
Boise, Idaho 83711, tel: (208) 322-7163.
If they do have a parallel version, please inform me. I would be very
interested in that.
I don't do much graphics on it from the Amiga, since I have a color printer
for that. But the best graphics I've seen so far are from Desktop
Publishing programs, CityDesk has excellent quality output at 300 dpi since
it supports the LaserJet directly. The results are just outstanding. I
haven't used any other package, so I really can't compare. On the IBM side
I use Ventura Publisher, but that is something else, (and very expensive).
I'm sure that things like that will appear very soon for the Amiga.
Printing from paint programs gives you almost the same quality from most of
them, since they all use the driver's print routines. I find that the
printout is almost always too dark, so I make the colors lighter before I
print anything.
I'm glad you like my program. I really worked a lot on it. (It was my first
program in 'C') I am planning to do a major overhaul to it sometime soon, so
if you have any suggestions for things to add, or anything to fix please tell
me about them. (I am trying to make a Workbench version of it but still
can't get to grips with Workbench!)
Thanks for the info on the card for the LJ2. I'll let you know if they do
have a parallel version.
I use LJ2 (the program, not the printer) for all my draft output now. If you
have a shareware policy on the program, please let me know and my company
will send you a check.
I see nothing that needs fixing. If you want to add something, how about a
full-featured set-up program, including page formatting and font selection.
By the way, are HP softfonts available in AmigaDOS format yet? Can the files
be ported? I'd be too much of a pain to constantly have use the PC side (I
have a bridgeboard) for soft fonts and printer setup.
Again, I appreciate the dialog. Even after over 10 years, new hardware is
daunting.
Roger, the program is not shareware, (i.e. I've got enough money, thanks.) I
just did it because I needed it. I have just finished another printer
related program, and I am now reworking LJ2. I've already got it to load
from WB by just bringing up a file requester when it is run. I am also
redoing the whole CLI command line parsing with new, easy to learn commands.
I am also looking into making font selection and landscape/portrait printing
selections, but that would involve some user interaction by specifying the
font width, cartridge number, orientation, etc.
I have just ordered the LJ Series II Programmers' Manual. When I get that
I'll include support for downloading fonts directly from within LJ2. I don't
think that HP softfonts exist in AmigaDOS format, but I'm sure they would be
very easy to convert, since all they do is just send a block of data to the
printer. I haven't any idea about the HP softfonts since I never used them.
If they just dump something to the printer, this dump could be captured,
saved as a file, tranferred to the Amiga, and then just a simple type
FontFile to PAR: will do it.
BTW, which options of LJ2 do you use the most? the least? I am trying to
enhance the better options and trim a bit of fat off the others.
I believe that the printer can send info on fonts and memory available.
Perhaps you could read this info and allow the user to display/edit it
(i.e., select font from available fonts, select symbol set from available
sets, select density base on memory available, etc.).
I agree, softfonts should be easily portable and the copy command should
work correctly.
Which settings would I like to have control over from the computer?
Obviously, page set-up commands such as Page Length, LPI, Margins, etc.
Also, fonts, symbol sets and density. Oh, and the ability to choose
between the preset page sizes (Letter, Legal, Envelope, etc.).
Is that enough? By the way, I've been playing around with CityDesk, and
the output is unbelievable. As you probably know, it allows you to mix
Amiga Fonts with the Laser Fonts. Also, I understand that the 1.3 printer
drivers have an anti-aliasing option that'll smooth out Amiga Fonts for
laser output.
I'm not sure that the printer can send info to the computer, especially if
it is connected via the parallel port, which normally supports just
one-way data.
I am going to go ahead with redoing the program to add support for
different page setups, fonts, and orientations. This will make it more a
universal printing program rather than just a draft-oriented program.
BTW, which paper size do you use? I have only got the A4 cartridge and I
am interested in finding out the optimum settings for different paper sizes
in order to include them in the program.
I am also thinking of providing the capability to define up to four
different (or more) configurations in the LJ2_Config file so that you could
just choose which one by a CLI switch or by a ToolType selection from WB.
How does that sound to you?
New options will (probably) include # of columns, i.e. newspaper style or
normal output, landscape or portrait output, font definitions for specific
applications (maybe in a separate file for each font) and much more WB
support. I can't promise a full-fledged Intuition style interface, but
will do my best.
I am also thinking of rewriting the program to make it support any
Preferences printer, but that would take quite a bit of reprogramming, and
the end result would be much slower than the current version.
P.S. I've already got a new version of LJ2 ready, with the new CLI
interface and simple WB support. Would you like me to upload this? I
would like to hear (or read!) your opinions about it.
I only use the A4 cartridge so far, but I plan on getting the envelope
cart. Your ideas for the setup program are great; forget about Preferences
printers – they've got plenty of setup programs already.
Yes, go ahead and UPLoad the new file. I'll check it out.
By the way, I downloaded some Soft Fonts from DL4 of the HP Forum. Using a
couple of little programs from the same DL (PST.ARC), I successfully
downloaded two soft fonts and they look great. I've Emailed the author for
the source to see what the correct command sequences are required before
and after copying the files to PRT:. If you have that info handy, let me
know. I'll write a little XICON routine to send the proper sequences and do
the copying from WB.
Roger, I'll upload the file to DL1 as ROGER.ARC so that you can download
it. I haven't fully tested this version, so would not like to have to
floating around. I also haven't updated the instructions.
Thanks for the tip about the HP Forum. I'll have a look at it. Khalid.
Roger, I'll upload the file to DL1 as ROGER.ARC so that you can download
it. I haven't fully tested this version, so would not like to have to
floating around. I also haven't updated the instructions.
Thanks for the tip about the HP Forum. I'll have a look at it. Khalid.
Roger, if you want to try out how the new CLI interface for LJ2 will be, have
a look at PRINTR.ARC in DL9.
Khalid.
Roger, if you want to try out how the new CLI interface for LJ2 will be, have
a look at PRINTR.ARC in DL9.
Khalid.
I only use the A4 cartridge so far, but I plan on getting the envelope
cart. Your ideas for the setup program are great; forget about Preferences
printers – they've got plenty of setup programs already.
Yes, go ahead and UPLoad the new file. I'll check it out.
By the way, I downloaded some Soft Fonts from DL4 of the HP Forum. Using a
couple of little programs from the same DL (PST.ARC), I successfully
downloaded two soft fonts and they look great. I've Emailed the author for
the source to see what the correct command sequences are required before
and after copying the files to PRT:. If you have that info handy, let me
know. I'll write a little XICON routine to send the proper sequences and do
the copying from WB.
There MUST be some way to read stuff from the parallel port, I have a
HD plugged in there.
Vic… sure is… though I don't know the details offhand. The port is fully
programmmable on a pin by pin basis fo}ir either i{_nput or output.
-larry
Vic… sure is… though I don't know the details offhand. The port is fully
programmmable on a pin by pin basis fo}ir either i{_nput or output.
-larry
Vic, there is a way to read from the parallel port, but the printer does not
support sending data back to the computer from its parallel port. That was
what I meant. I think that the parallel port is software configurable to any
input/output operation. (e.g. A-Time, DigiView, etc.)
Khalid.
Vic, there is a way to read from the parallel port, but the printer does not
support sending data back to the computer from its parallel port. That was
what I meant. I think that the parallel port is software configurable to any
input/output operation. (e.g. A-Time, DigiView, etc.)
Khalid.
There MUST be some way to read stuff from the parallel port, I have a
HD plugged in there.
I'm not sure that the printer can send info to the computer, especially if
it is connected via the parallel port, which normally supports just
one-way data.
I am going to go ahead with redoing the program to add support for
different page setups, fonts, and orientations. This will make it more a
universal printing program rather than just a draft-oriented program.
BTW, which paper size do you use? I have only got the A4 cartridge and I
am interested in finding out the optimum settings for different paper sizes
in order to include them in the program.
I am also thinking of providing the capability to define up to four
different (or more) configurations in the LJ2_Config file so that you could
just choose which one by a CLI switch or by a ToolType selection from WB.
How does that sound to you?
New options will (probably) include # of columns, i.e. newspaper style or
normal output, landscape or portrait output, font definitions for specific
applications (maybe in a separate file for each font) and much more WB
support. I can't promise a full-fledged Intuition style interface, but
will do my best.
I am also thinking of rewriting the program to make it support any
Preferences printer, but that would take quite a bit of reprogramming, and
the end result would be much slower than the current version.
P.S. I've already got a new version of LJ2 ready, with the new CLI
interface and simple WB support. Would you like me to upload this? I
would like to hear (or read!) your opinions about it.
I believe that the printer can send info on fonts and memory available.
Perhaps you could read this info and allow the user to display/edit it
(i.e., select font from available fonts, select symbol set from available
sets, select density base on memory available, etc.).
I agree, softfonts should be easily portable and the copy command should
work correctly.
Which settings would I like to have control over from the computer?
Obviously, page set-up commands such as Page Length, LPI, Margins, etc.
Also, fonts, symbol sets and density. Oh, and the ability to choose
between the preset page sizes (Letter, Legal, Envelope, etc.).
Is that enough? By the way, I've been playing around with CityDesk, and
the output is unbelievable. As you probably know, it allows you to mix
Amiga Fonts with the Laser Fonts. Also, I understand that the 1.3 printer
drivers have an anti-aliasing option that'll smooth out Amiga Fonts for
laser output.
Roger, the program is not shareware, (i.e. I've got enough money, thanks.) I
just did it because I needed it. I have just finished another printer
related program, and I am now reworking LJ2. I've already got it to load
from WB by just bringing up a file requester when it is run. I am also
redoing the whole CLI command line parsing with new, easy to learn commands.
I am also looking into making font selection and landscape/portrait printing
selections, but that would involve some user interaction by specifying the
font width, cartridge number, orientation, etc.
I have just ordered the LJ Series II Programmers' Manual. When I get that
I'll include support for downloading fonts directly from within LJ2. I don't
think that HP softfonts exist in AmigaDOS format, but I'm sure they would be
very easy to convert, since all they do is just send a block of data to the
printer. I haven't any idea about the HP softfonts since I never used them.
If they just dump something to the printer, this dump could be captured,
saved as a file, tranferred to the Amiga, and then just a simple type
FontFile to PAR: will do it.
BTW, which options of LJ2 do you use the most? the least? I am trying to
enhance the better options and trim a bit of fat off the others.
Thanks for the info on the card for the LJ2. I'll let you know if they do
have a parallel version.
I use LJ2 (the program, not the printer) for all my draft output now. If you
have a shareware policy on the program, please let me know and my company
will send you a check.
I see nothing that needs fixing. If you want to add something, how about a
full-featured set-up program, including page formatting and font selection.
By the way, are HP softfonts available in AmigaDOS format yet? Can the files
be ported? I'd be too much of a pain to constantly have use the PC side (I
have a bridgeboard) for soft fonts and printer setup.
Again, I appreciate the dialog. Even after over 10 years, new hardware is
daunting.
Roger, the name of the product is: ESI-2001 ShareSpool for LaserJet Series
II. The company is: Extended Systems, 6062 Morris Hill, P.O. Box 4937,
Boise, Idaho 83711, tel: (208) 322-7163.
If they do have a parallel version, please inform me. I would be very
interested in that.
I don't do much graphics on it from the Amiga, since I have a color printer
for that. But the best graphics I've seen so far are from Desktop
Publishing programs, CityDesk has excellent quality output at 300 dpi since
it supports the LaserJet directly. The results are just outstanding. I
haven't used any other package, so I really can't compare. On the IBM side
I use Ventura Publisher, but that is something else, (and very expensive).
I'm sure that things like that will appear very soon for the Amiga.
Printing from paint programs gives you almost the same quality from most of
them, since they all use the driver's print routines. I find that the
printout is almost always too dark, so I make the colors lighter before I
print anything.
I'm glad you like my program. I really worked a lot on it. (It was my first
program in 'C') I am planning to do a major overhaul to it sometime soon, so
if you have any suggestions for things to add, or anything to fix please tell
me about them. (I am trying to make a Workbench version of it but still
can't get to grips with Workbench!)