Using the Printer Interface

Types of Printing

Passthrough Printing using the Printer Definition File

The Printer Definition file contains ASCII control codes used to control several different ASCII printers directly, bypassing the Windows print driver. The BlueZone Printer Emulators convert SCS printer control commands to the selected ASCII printer control codes. This may be desirable when printing on pre-printed forms where the font size and style used is embedded in the printer.

If fast, draft mode printing on dot matrix printers is required, the fonts embedded in the target dot matrix printers must be used. Dot matrix printers cannot print True Type fonts in draft mode.

If your printer is not listed in the Printer Definition File, select a model that is close. Many printers emulate other printers, therefore, selecting an emulated model instead will work.

The existing Printer Definition File may be modified to add a new printer or edit an existing printer. Refer to the documentation for your printer for the appropriate ASCII escape sequences.

When to Use

Use with EBCDIC LU1 and LU4 SCS printer data streams where printer control commands sent by the host are converted to ASCII printer escape sequences.
Standard SCS printing to a 3812 or 3287 type printer emulator.
Draft mode printing on dot matrix printers.
Printing using the fonts built into the printer.

When Not to Use

Do not use with LU3 print jobs. The lack of SCS printer control codes in the data stream will produce unpredictable results. Use the Windows API mode or Passthrough without a Printer Definition File for LU3 printing.
Do not use with Host Print Transform or ASCII Transparent Printing.
When auto-sizing the font to fit the page must scale the font exactly. This method will only choose the nearest resident printer font, usually 10, 12, 17, or 20 characters per inch (CPI).
When the printed output must be printed using a Windows font rather than a printer resident font.

Mandatory Emulator Settings

Settings required in the Print Setup property sheet (choose File:Print Setup from the MenuBar) necessary to properly configure the emulator for this feature.

Go to the Passthrough tab, check the Send all Data Directly to the Printer checkbox.
Also on the Passthrough tab, check the Use Printer Definition to Convert Formatting Commands to Printer Escapes checkbox.
Also on the Passthrough tab, select a printer from the list box. Choose one that is close, or create a custom printer definition.
Select a target printer, the Use default Windows Printer check box, or Print to File.

Ignored Emulator Settings

Settings that are have no affect once the Mandatory Settings are made.

All settings are ignored except those specified because the emulation is completely bypassed.