<:#2224,9360>Using Ami to produce diskette labels is useful when you need a few good looking labels to impress your boss, friends, or for prototypal purposes. The label programs with which I am familiar use bitmaps and do not handle complex graphics well. Ami is capable
of importing vector based graphic formats which produce a much higher quality graphic. Also there are more fonts available in Ami. I have used this technique (with merging, see below) to produce labels for students in my high school computer classes. The l
abel contains the school and class logo, the students name, and the students class period. It impresses the student, they treat their disks with more respect, and the disks are easier for me to file.
@Subhead@<:s><:#278,9360>File Contents
@Body Single@<:s><:#278,9360>This zip file contains four files:
@Bullet 1@<:#278,9360>#3-5_lbl.sty, the style sheet for a LaserJet III using Avery 5196 diskette labels.
@Bullet 1@<:#556,9360>&3-5_lbl.sty, the style sheet for an IBM 4019 (HP emulation) using Avery 5196 diskette labels.
@Bullet 1@<:#278,9360>#label.sam, a dummy <+#>Print Merge File<-#> for use when merging is not desired.
@Bullet 1@<:#278,9360>lbl-doc.sam, this documentation file.
@Body Single@<:s><:#278,9360>
@Subhead@<:s><:#278,9360>No Merging
<:s><:#1112,9360>The style sheet is set up not to use merging so that attractive labels containing text and graphics can be printed as stock labels and then filled in with the users name, file names, disk number, and other information as needed by hand. Note that the dummy
<+#>Print Merge F<-#><+#>ile <-#>still must be used for printing to be successful even though no merging is being done.
@Subhead@<:s><:#278,9360>Using the Merge Feature
You may use the <+#>Print Merge<-#> function to print merge if you desire. In that case you would substitute a new
<+#>Print Merge File<-#> for #label.sam. I used the table method of print merging as it is simpler to implement. The delimited method could also be used if the number of records is greater than that which can be handled by the table method. Using the table
method the number of columns would change to reflect the number of
<+#>Merge Fields<-#> that you desire. The <+#>Merge Fields<-#> are located as desired on the label area. The number of records (rows) will be the number of labels printed. To print a full sheet of labels the number of records should be nine. If it is less t
han this, blanks will be produced. Note that something has to be in the row in order for it to be counted as a record. This may be useful if you want to make six printed labels and have the remaining three blank. See the manual for more information about pr
int merging.
@Subhead@<:s><:#278,9360>Graphics
<:#1946,9360>Graphics are placed on the style sheet at the desired locations using frames and the
<+#>Import Picture<-#> option under the <+#>Files<-#> menu. The graphic formats that I have tried are EPS and Windows Metafile (.wmf). The graphics were produced in Corel Draw but any application that produces one of these formats would work fine. Both form
ats work well. Some times one gives better results with a particular graphic than the other, so experiment. The drawback to EPS is longer printing time while .wmf will not handle as complex graphics. In either case the printing is slow so this is not a high
production solution.
@Subhead@<:s><:#278,9360>Locating Text and Graphics on the Label
<:#3058,9360>Set up Ami so that the <+#>Margins in Color<-#> option under the <+#>View<-#>,
<+#>View Preferences<-#> menu is checked. The margins should show in some contrasting color to the label area. The white label area will be the front of the label. When placed on the diskette the white area will give a top and bottom margin of approximately
1/8" and side margins of approximately 3/16". It does not look like this on the screen. For the LaserJet III style sheet it appears that there is no left margin and that the right margin is quite large. The IBM style sheet appears more balanced but will pr
int with the same centering as the LaserJet. The odd margins are necessary to get the labels to space out correctly when printing and vary with the printer being used. In other words, the margins in the style sheet are not WYSIWYG. The white area is, howeve
r, close to WYSIWYG when placed on the diskette. The center of the white area is close to the center of the label area on the diskette.
The top 3/4" margin on the style sheet is the part which wraps over the diskette top. You may print in this area if you like. Just remember that for the text to "read right" it must be upside down as it appears on the screen. You must also allow for the por
tion which folds over the diskette. The simplest way to do this is to use a frame the same width as the white area, 7/16" tall, and lined up with the top of the page. Use Ami's Drawing module (<+#>Tools<-#>,
<+#>Drawing<-#>) to place text in this frame and then rotate the text 180 degrees.
Tables are useful for locating text so that it lines up and for creating lines which are to be written upon. See sample label below. There are many other variations possible such as having the frames in horizontal instead of vertical orientation. Example b
elow uses two frames, not counting annotation frames. One with a graphic in it and the other with a table in it. Turn off
<+#>Table Gridlines<-#> under <+#>View<-#>, <+#>View Preferences<-#> so that you may more easily see the results.<:p<* >>
@Subhead@<:s><:#278,9360>Tips
<:s><:#1112,9360>In the example above, if you only want the graphic frame and not the table frame, set the frame as
<+#>No Wrap Around<-#> and as <+#>Where Placed<-#>. Assuming a frame width of 3/4", create styles with
<+#>Alignment<-#>, Indent, <+#>All<-#> equal to .85". These styles will start over .10" from the right side of the frame.
<:s><:#834,9360>Remember that frames are very powerful. You may use them to position text precisely where you desire by placing the text inside the frame and then moving the frame as needed. Use as many as you like and experiment with them.
@Subhead@<:s><:#278,9360>Installation of files
@Bullet 1@<:#278,9360>Copy #3-5_lbl.sty into your style subdirectory (for LaserJet III).
@Bullet 1@<:#278,9360>Copy &3-5_lbl.sty into your style subdirectory (for IBM 4019).
@Bullet 1@<:#278,9360>Copy #label.sam and lbl-doc.sam into you document subdirectory.
@Subhead@<:s><:#278,9360>Step by Step Instructions for Non-Merge Mode
@Number List@<:s><:#834,9360>Using <+#>File,<-#> <+#>New<-#>, start a new document. Select the #3-5_lbl.sty (or &3-5_lbl.sty) from the dialogue box which pops up. Select
<+#>With contents<-#>. <+#>Replace current file<-#> or not as you desire.
@Number List@<:s><:#1112,9360>The document will appear on screen. The style sheet has some reminding text included which should be read and then deleted. The page size is small and will not fill the screen in
<+#>Standard<-#> view. The margins will look funny. This is normal. You may switch to
<+#>Enlarged<-#> view if you wish.
@Number List@<:s><:#834,9360>Place your text and graphics as desired in the white area of document. Place text on the back flap of the label if desired. See
<+">Locating Text and Graphics<-"> above for more information. When finished save and name your file.
@Number List@<:s><:#556,9360><**>Use<+#> File<-#>, <+#>Merge<-#>. Set the following information in the
<+#>Merge<-#> dialogue box. Some of the information is automatically set by the style sheet but is repeated here for reference.
@Bullet Indent@<:s><:#278,9360>Select <+#>Merge & Print<-#> radio button.
@Bullet Indent@<:#556,9360>Select <+#>Data File<-#> option if #label.sam is not listed as the data file. In the
<+#>Data File<-#> dialogue box go to the subdirectory where #label.sam is located and select it.
@Bullet Indent@<:s><:#556,9360>Select the <+#>Labels<-#> option. In the <+#>Merge Labels<-#> dialogue box make sure things are set as follows:
@Sub Level@<:s><:#278,9360><+#>Labels across<-#> 3 and <+#>labels down<-#> 3
@Sub Level@<:s><:#278,9360><**><+#>First label indent<-#> <+#>Down<-#> 0.25 and <+#>Right<-#> 0.0.
@Sub Level@<:s><:#556,9360><+#>Print each label<-#> = 1 if you want one page of nine labels printed. Change this number if you want more than one page printed.
@Bullet Indent@<:s><:#278,9360><+#>Print options<-#> set as for your normal print job.
@Bullet Indent@<:s><:#278,9360><+#>Conditions<-#> is not used.
@Number List@<:s><:#278,9360>When above is correct select <+#>OK<-#> to begin printing.
@Subhead@<:s><:#278,9360>Step by Step Instructions Using the Merge Mode
@Body Single@<:s><:#278,9360>Follow steps 1-3 as above. Then:
@Number List@<:s><:#278,9360>Create and name a <+#>Merge File<-#> as described under <+">Using a Merge File<-">.
@Number List@<:s><:#278,9360>Insert the <+#>Merge Fields<-#> in the label document. Save the document.
@Number List@<:#556,9360>Use <+#>File Merge<-#>. Set dialogue boxes as above except substitute the name of your
<+#>Merge File<-#> for #label.sam.
@Number List@<:#556,9360><+#>With Conditions<-#> checkbox and <+#>Conditions<-#> options are valid selections and may be used if desired. See manual for instructions.
@Subhead@<:s><:#278,9360>Printers not supported
<:#3336,9360>If you do not have either of the laser printers included here you may be able to modify one of the style sheets to suit your printer. Create a document with the
<+#>New<-#> option and select one of the style sheets. Make a frame with lines all around positioned outside. Adjust and position this frame so that the lines match the white area of the style sheet. Print a sheet of labels using instructions above. Print t
he labels on plain paper for testing. Place the plain paper copy over a sheet of blank labels and hold up to a strong light. Note how the frame lines are positioned with respect to the labels. Go back to your document and adjust the position of the frame to
compensate for any misalignment. Test print and check again. Repeat until the frame lines are positioned correctly over the labels. Finally, adjust the margins (<+#>Page<-#>,
<+#>Modify Page Layout<-#>, <+#>Margins & Columns<-#>, then <+#>Header<-#>, then
<+#>Footer<-#>) until they match the frame lines. Remove the frame and add any informational text desired. Save as a new style sheet:
<+#>Style<-#>, <+#>Save as a Style Sheet<-#>, give name, and check
<+#>With Contents<-#>.
<:s><:#834,9360>I have only tested the two named printers and have no idea how this technique will work with other printers. The supplied style sheets should give a good starting point if you care to experiment.
<:s><:#278,9360>I hope that you find this technique useful. Enjoy.
@Body Single@<:#278,9360>Larry Leuallen
<:#278,9360>CIS 72070,300
<:#278,9360>
>
SM Ö "V╝S N Ö "î Ö "≤δ Arial MT A,None]
FontSummary=F:"8 FS Place P Ö V≥ Ö ╜δ Arial MT rial MT A,None]
FontSu"8 8 Graphic G P Ö ∞ñ╫ Ö ∞ δ Arial MT A,None]
FontSu"8 "8 ap in this i O Ö ╤╘╝ Ö ╤;δ Arial MT
FontSu"8 "8 "8 t frame. SM c« φ ╦╟ P x╕ }┼ x╕ Tms Rmn ÷u
ï≡ ≤ ± ≥tA┼vëDë\ë ∞ë Graphic N c╛ò╦ c╛2Tms Rmn ± ≥tA┼vëDë\ë ap frame =« φ b =bφ « SM ║ M ¬`╟ O HM ¬Z HM bTms Rmn ≡ ÷u╓ï~÷δïv⌠ï╞Φ╬⌠ï╞Φ]⌠δ ï Table N HSz` HS2Tms Rmn δïv⌠ï╞Φ╬⌠ï╞Φ]⌠δ bl frame ║ σ M σ ║ M SM ! m É îª _ δm É z δm ÑTms Rmn vεΘ╛<.u¼ NΩ<0t° FΩ
└tµ w Table of four columns, o ^ δs} Ç δsÆTms Rmn w Table of mn some connected. Lines . _ δys å δyêTms Rmn able of mn s ct used at bottom of non- o U δ]î δrTms Rmn mn s ct u tt text frames. f ! &╓╨ ╓&! ╨ SM W ,v 8╟ e√v 8 e√v 8 Y m ,=9 m ,╨Tms Rmn Printable are of N W )) W ╥Tms Rmn P ar label SM â B ■O_ U â B ■O â B {Tms Rmn 5A,None]
FontSummary=F: FS Not to scale oSM « B ûO_ Y « B ûO « B ΦTms Rmn PS)=F:\WINDOWS\MSAPPS\gr im Front label area SM ≡ » ö5 ≡ » ö ö≡ »
