Setting up a non-PostScript Printer

SectionTo setup PageStream for non-PostScript printers with Windows:
When PageStream prints to a non-PostScript printer under Windows, it uses the standard printing system, so setting up PageStream for non-PostScript printers is the same as in an other standard Windows application.

PageStream will display the standard Print ''Setup'' dialog box for your printer when you choose PageStream's Print Setup command. Refer to your printer manual for more information on how to set up your printer for use with Windows.

SectionTo setup PageStream for non-PostScript printers with MacOS:
When PageStream prints to a non-PostScript printer under MacOS, it uses the standard printing system, so setting up PageStream for non-PostScript printers is easy.

PageStream will display the ''Page Setup'' dialog box for your printer when you choose PageStream's Print Setup command. Note that after you Click ''OK'' in Page Setup, MacOS will display the MacOS ''Print'' dialog box where you can alter, for example, the printing resolution (this will vary depending on the printer installed). Normally, you may simply Click ''OK'' in ''that'' dialog box without making any changes, unless you did not configure your printer previously. Refer to your printer manual for more information on how to set up your printer for use with MacOS.

SectionTo setup PageStream for non-PostScript printers with AmigaOS:
Unless you use a Preferences printer driver, PageStream will bypass AmigaOS's printing system completely. This requires setting up extra printing options, but, on the other hand, it provides increased flexibility.

1. Choose ''Print Setup'' from the ''File'' menu.

The ''Print Setup'' dialog box will appear.

2. Select a printer driver.

Choose a driver name from the ''Type'' pop-up menu. Select ''Preferences'' if you want to use PageStream with your AmigaOS printer driver.

3. Select the model of your printer.

If you chose the HP, Epson or Fargo drivers, choose the model name from the ''Model'' pop-up menu. If your model is not listed, choose the closest model from the list.

4. Select the printer port.

If you chose the HP, Epson or Fargo drivers, choose ''PAR:'' for printers connected to the parallel port, ''SER:'' for printers connected to the serial port, or ''Device'' for printers using a different device. Choose ''Disk File'' to direct output to a file so that it can be printed later, or on another computer.

5. Set the paper options.

''Orientation'': Choose ''Portrait'' (vertical) or ''Landscape'' (horizontal). This is the orientation of the paper in the printer and does not reflect the orientation of the page. PageStream will automatically orient your page to best fit the paper.

''Offset'': Some printers print pages offset incorrectly, even though they are supposedly compatible with the emulation standards followed by the custom drivers. You can offset PageStream's output to accommodate this by entering horizontal and vertical offsets into the ''Horz'' and ''Vert'' text boxes.

If you chose the ''HP'', ''Epson'' or ''Fargo'' drivers, set these additional options:

''Format'': Choose ''Continuous'' feed for fanfold paper. Choose ''Single'' for sheets of paper.

''Size'': Select the paper size from those available for your printer. If the size you are using is not listed, choose ''Custom'' and enter its dimensions into the ''Horz'' and ''Vert'' text boxes.

6. Set the resolution.

Choose the print density from the ''Resolution'' pop-up menu. The lower the resolution, the faster PageStream will print. High resolutions provide better quality output, but take longer to print.

7. Set the dither type.

Choose the dither pattern from the ''Dither'' pop-up menu. Dithering prints dots in patterns to create the appearance of shades of gray or color. The dither options are:

  • ''Halftone'': The size and density of the patterns (dots by default) is varied to change the gray or color intensity. With this dither method, the screens that you specified for individual objects in ''Line & Fill'' will be used.


  • ''Ordered'': This is the standard type of pattern. Dots are of the same density and are printed in straight rows and columns.


  • ''Floyd-Steinberg'': Intensities are formed by an algorithmic formula to distribute the intensities through neighboring dots. This dither option is very slow.


  • ''Threshold'': This prints all colors in black or white, with no grayscales. This is recommended for text and for graphics that do not have grayscales or colors.
8. Set the screen type.

Choose the ''Screen'' pop-up menu to from select a predefined set of frequencies, angles and spots or choose ''Custom'' to define the frequency, angle and spot for each ink.

9. Set the color correction.

Choose the ''Color'' pop-up menu to select the predefined gamma and UCR/GCR color correction values or choose ''Custom'' to define the gamma levels for each ink and the UCR/GCR percentages.

10. Click ''Save'' or ''Use''.

Choose ''Save'' to make the settings permanent, or ''Use'' to change them for this session. You may also save the settings to an external file, without changing the default settings, by clicking on the ''Save As'' button. The next time you want to use your saved settings, click on the ''Load'' button and select the file.


 

Setting up a non-PostScript Printer  Sub-Section  url:PGSuser/printsetup#anchor1751395
  created:2006-04-18 09:29:23   last updated:2006-09-02 21:11:15
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User Contributed Comments For Setting up a non-PostScript Printer
Deron Kazmaier wrote...2007-09-18 22:54:13

I would just mention here that I'm happy to report that UPAR: works after changing out the OS 3.9 port-handler to Stephen Rupprecht's edition. I'm surprised that the OS3.9 port-handler doesn't work because I don't recall ever seeing any bug reports submitted for it.

For those Amiga Pagestream users who may also have battled with inability to send printer data through UPAR, Aminet has Rupprecht's port-handler v. 41.4, but there is a newer version, 41.6, on his site at,

http://www.stephan-rupprecht.de/downloads/porthandler.lha

The latter is the one I put into service. I can now copy pre-printed data to UPAR: and it goes to the USB-connected printer. I am also able to enter UPAR: into the pagestream "Send to [device]" gadget and it also is able to print to the USB-connected printer. Previously I could do neither.

Which is all rather nice as I can now have my laser printer connected to the parallel port, and the inkjet simultaneously connected via USB.

-Ernest

User Contributed Comments For Setting up a non-PostScript Printer