Printing to Disk Option


Sometimes printing to a disk file rather than to a printer can be useful. What does printing to a disk file mean? It means that the same data that normally would be sent to the printer is shunted to a disk file, either locally or on the network. The file isn't a copy of the document you were printing; it contains all the special formatting codes that control the printer. Codes that change fonts, print graphics, set margins, break pages, and add attributes such as underline, bold, and so on are all included in this type of file. Print files destined for PostScript printers typically include a PostScript preamble, too.

The primary use of print-to-disk is to send formatted PostScript files to a service bureau for professional printing. You don't even need to own a PostScript printer to do this.

In some applications, this choice is available in the Print dialog box. If it isn't, you should modify the printer's configuration to print to a file rather than to a port. Then, whenever you use that printer, it will use all the usual settings for the driver but send the data to a file of your choice instead of to the printer port. Just follow these steps:

1.

In the Printers and Faxes folder, right-click the printer's icon, and choose Properties.

2.

Click Ports.

3.

Set the port to File, and close the dialog box.

The next time you or another local or network user prints to that printer, you'll be prompted to enter a filename, as you can see in Figure 6.10. You should specify the full path with the filename. The file will be stored on the machine where the print job originated.

Figure 6.10. Enter the full path and filename for the printer output file.


TIP

If you want to create an encapsulated PostScript file (.EPS), go through the Add New Printer procedure, selecting an appropriate PostScript printer model, such as the Apple LaserWriter or the QMS PS-810your service bureau should suggest what model to use. You don't need to have such a printer attached to your computer. Then, modify the properties of the printer via the Properties, Details, Job Defaults, Options dialog box to set an encapsulated PostScript filename.




Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Special Edition Using Microsoft Windows XP Professional (3rd Edition)
ISBN: 0789732807
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 450

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