Forms Description Language, FDL command overview | Xerox 4650, 4450

2.Forms Description Language

This chapter describes the function and use of each Forms Description Language (FDL) command in generating a form electronically.

The FDL commands discussed throughout this guide apply to all version 3 laser printing systems.

Reference Refer to the ªFDL command syntax summaryº appendix for a summary of all FDL commands and their syntax. The conventions used to present command syntax are listed in the ªIntroductionº and in the ªFDL command syntax summaryº appendix.

FDL command overview

FDL is a set of keyword commands that you use to generate an electronic form.

You first create a source file of FDL commands that describes the characteristics of your form. You then compile the file and store it as an electronic form file on the LPS.

The form can contain a variety of fonts, logos, and graphics, and it can be merged with variable data during printing. You can select any stored form for printing.

Command format

The following is true for each FDL command:

·Commands consist of a command identifier and various parameters and keywords associated with the function.

·Spaces and/or commas separate keywords and parameters.

·Commands are terminated by a semicolon.

·Command information is placed within the first 72 columns of each record.

·Multiple commands may appear in one record if separated by a semicolon.

·Commands can be continued on multiple lines before ending with a semicolon, with the exception of the LINE and BOX commands. For both of these commands, the following string must reside on one line:

AT . . . IN unit

Lines containing all blanks are ignored and may be used for separation.

XEROX 4050/4090/4450/4650 LPS FORMS CREATION GUIDE

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Xerox 4650, 4450 manual Forms Description Language, FDL command overview, Command format

Contents

Xerox Page Table of contents Line BOX Text Logo Graphic Section Comment END TroubleshootingCompiling and printing forms Grid Font GLOSSARY-1 AppendicesGlossary IndexPage Uppercase IntroductionUppercase Bold Blue Lowercase black italics Publication Number Related publications LPS Advantages of FDL Fonts Orientation Character spacing/line length examples System PaperImage size considerations Font memory Inches Millimeters PhysicalVirtual Physical page sizes Virtual page origin Edgemarking Non-imaged elements Imaging error messagesRegistration shift and skew Landscape orientation shift and skew 11 x Patient Name Output performance considerations Form origin Text block origin Positioning form elementsForm elements and corresponding origins Form element Y coordinates Grids Predefined formats Data type Description Data typesData types Forms Description Language FDL command overviewCommand format Command types Commands Command function Command summaryFDL command summary Form Paper LANDSCAPE/PORTRAIT Grid Font Setup commandsForm creation process FORM/RESOLUTION Unit by y unit PaperPaper Size is value Parameter options Orientation LANDSCAPE/PORTRAITOrientation page Size is n Wide by m High Format id GridGrid Unit is format id Origin y unit x unit Grid Unit is value Origin y unit x unit Fonts UN106A,UN104C,UN114A FontFonts id 1 id 2 id 3...id 32j · Line · BOX · Text AT · Text in BOX · Logo · Graphic Description commands Direction LineDirection AT c a unit c a unit ... Every c i unit BOX Density Thickness Text AT Text #ETAIL #D#ISTRIBUTION Position Using Font n in position BOX y unit x unit `text `textText in BOX Next direction BOX `text `text Next Horizontal BOX `text `text Text positioning Logo id AT y unit x unit Logo Vpos GraphicEagle Graphic name AT vpos unit hpos unit Scale is n/d Do Section id AT y unit x unit Sample .FSLPlacing a graphic Syntax Begin Section id Phone Default NoneBegin Section Phone Begin Section Syntax Comment text CommentDo Section Phone AT 0,0 Do Section Phone AT 30,37 Endend Syntax END Parameters None Default NoneEND Offline Compiling and printing formsForm printing process FSL data transfer Invoking the forms compiler Compiling a formOnline FDL compilation time Compiling 4850 color forms and logos RES=spiCompiling 600 spi forms FDL Tryit Simplex Using the compilation optionsError checks Summary sheet Secured files File storageProof FDL filename Proof Sample TRYIT.FRM Printing a compiled formExample 1 FDL Tryit Tray Sample filename.FRM Designing new forms TroubleshootingSuggested coding techniques Converting preprinted forms Forms Paper size Recommended coding sequenceSyntax ambiguities Keywords Hints and tips Hints and tipsHints and tips Hints and tips Keywords Image complexity factorsLine tables Example of extraneous drawn lines Importance of orderly construction Lines entered in unintended locations Scan line density Portrait pages Determining line density limitationsLandscape pages Superimposed lines Generation errorsLocal density and page setup errors Solid 2 box sharing part of a Solid 1 box edge Using boxes Locating the closest box Error calculationsText in boxes Centering text in boxes Correcting text-in-box errors Text Spaced AT 4 Dots in BOX 10 `TEXT Line Shading factors Section factors Terminating shading to avoid line density problems Converting other unit values to dots AT 8 Draw VER Line from 4 to 5 Using HairlineRounding measurement factors Rounding variable data Grid unit scaling Grid unit scaling specificationsGrid unit specification System response FDL statistics Syntax Meaning FDL command syntax summaryFDL command syntax conventions END Compiling commands syntax System default summary Inch/A4 paper Specification SubstitutionGrid and origin substitutions for 8.27 by Grid and origin substitutions for all paper sizes Page Figure C-1.Earnings register Sample form creation Using the Comment command Writing the setup commands Drawing vertical lines Vertical Line commandDrawing lines Drawing horizontal lines Placing text at a location Drawing boxes Placing text in a box Using the END command Edit 1STFRM.FSL Compiling the form Figure C-12.Source statement 1STFRM.FSL Page Maximum FDL capacity limitsCapacity limits Page Lines Columns Size1 Orientation2 Values y,x Font ID Standard print formatsFormat ID No. Lpi Cpi Point Size BeginPage Side Formats/spacing Support tools and measurementsForms design ruler Standard formats and spacings Support Tools and Measurements Size or origin Command examplesGrid examples Form results with grid specified, but no Grid Unit is 1 CM Command Examples Figure G-5.Form results with grid and page size specified Draw Line examples Figure G-8.Drawing a horizontal line inches Every BOX examples Figure G-12. Drawing boxes Shading and Repeat Vertically Every Text AT examples Command Examples Bottom positions Text in BOX examplesCenter positions BOT GlossaryBCD BOF EOT CMEDjde Enet FDL FCBFCP FCU JDL JCBJCL JDE LPS PDL PCCPDE PSC Xddi TOFUcsb UCS FDL SymbolsIndex Image FSL Predefined formats, 1-13, 2-6 to