If you’re using the program’s print facility, recheck the FX’s Command Summary to make sure you’re sending the correct commands.

If you’re still having difficulty printing, check the troubleshooting section in your spreadsheet program’s manual or Appendix C of this manual.

Graphics Programs

The FX is capable of producing finely detailed graphic images. Although Chapter 5 gives specific information on the graphics commands, the easiest way to take advantage of the FX’s capabilities is with one of the many graphics programs available.

When buying graphics software, always make sure it has a suitable option to allow printouts on an FX printer. Any program with an option for an FX printer should give excellent results, using different dot densities to produce a realistic scale of grays.

Most graphics programs have a printer selection procedure, in which case you should check the lists on page 3-1 to find the proper selection.

Programming Languages

Most users rely on application programs to send commands to the printer. An awareness of programming languages, however, can be helpful in exploring a printer’s potential or troubleshooting a printing problem.

For example, if you want to set up your application program to send a command for italic printing, you can use a programming language, such as BASIC or Pascal, to do a quick printout before setting up the program.

If, on the other hand, you’ve set up a program to send a certain

command to the printer, but it’s not printing correctly, you can send the same command with a programming language to find whether the problem lies with your application program, the command, or the printer.

3-6

Using the FX with Application Programs