Black Box PC118C-R2 Linking Graphical Output to a Host Application, Printing Images from the Host

HPIIISi TWINAX CARD

7.8 Linking Graphical Output to a Host Application

There are several ways to link the graphical output to a host application. One method is to simply add the GL commands to the application code. This means that whenever the application is used and sent to the printer, the GL commands are also sent.

Another method is to design a separate subroutine that sends the GL output to the printer as a macro. The GL macro will only be sent to the printer once and resides in the printer’s active memory until the printer is powered down. The application code requires only a macro call and does not require the complete graphic to be downloaded when a report is printed.

To store the GL output as a printer macro, begin the GL routine with a PCL command that begins a macro by typing “¬E&f#y0X”.

For the # symbol, substitute a number that identifies the macro. Make sure this command precedes all GL commands. Also, be aware that PCL is case- sensitive.

At the end of the GL routine, stop the macro and save it permanently (until the printer is powered down) in the printer’s memory. To end the macro, type “¬E&f#y1X”.

To save the macro permanently (until the printer is powered down), type “¬E&f#y10X”. Store this macro in the printer’s memory by “printing” it.

A call for this macro can be used in your application by embedding the PCL command “¬E&f#y3X” in the application code.

Another command that can be used to prevent overloading the printer’s memory is “¬E&f#y8X”. This command deletes the macro ID-number that currently resides in the printer’s memory.

7.9 Printing Images from the Host

It is often advantageous to include images such as company logos or signatures with printed output. Logos and other images can be stored on printer cartridges or “Flash” SIMMs, offered through the printer manufacturer or various third-party vendors. While the process of loading the cartridge or SIMM differs, the final result is the same: The stored image is assigned a macro ID-number that must be called up by the application when the image is to be printed. Please refer to the documentation supplied with the cartridge or SIMM for instructions on how to store an image.

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