About downloading

If your printer has RAM, flash memory or a hard disk installed, you can download various items to these printer resources. This reduces the amount of data in jobs that use these items since the information no longer has to be downloaded as part of the job.

Once information is downloaded, it is stored as a file on your flash or disk options. You can use MarkVision to:

move files from one flash or disk option to another

move files from a flash or disk option on one printer to a flash or disk option on another printer

copy files from one flash or disk option to another

copy files from a flash or disk option on one printer to a flash or disk option on another printer

delete files from a flash or disk option

view information about a file

Items that can be downloaded are:

PostScript emulation

Fonts

Overlays

Demos

PCL 5 emulation

Fonts

Macros

Demos

PCL XL emulation

Streams

Demos

Items stored in flash memory and on the hard disk are not lost when the printer is turned off.

If you store the items in printer memory (RAM), they are lost each time you turn the printer off. You need to download the information each time the printer is turned back on. The items may also be lost if the memory is needed for the next job. Details vary based on commands used in downloading and printer settings.

Note

Flash and disk options are purchased separately and are not available on all printer models.

 Related Topics


About fonts

If you use the same font in many jobs, downloading that font to your printer reduces the amount of data in jobs that use the font since it no longer has to be downloaded as part of the job. If RAM, flash, or disk is available in your printer, you can download to those destinations.

Fonts stored in flash memory and on the hard disk are not lost when the printer is turned off.

If you store the fonts in printer memory (RAM), the fonts are lost each time you turn the printer off. You need to download the fonts each time the printer is turned back on. Fonts may also be lost if the memory is needed for the next job. Details vary based on commands used in downloading and printer settings.

Once a font is downloaded, the fonts are stored on your flash or disk options as files. You can use MarkVision to:

move files from one flash or disk option to another

move files from a flash or disk option on one printer to a flash or disk option on another printer

copy files from one flash or disk option to another

copy files from a flash or disk option on one printer to a flash or disk option on another printer

delete files from a flash or disk option

view information about a file

Note

Flash and disk options are purchased separately and are not available on all printer models.

 Related Topics


How to download fonts

Before you begin

To download to a printer, you must have the correct driver installed. For example, you cannot download a PCL font if you only have a PostScript driver installed for the printer.

Check that the selected printer has a port connected (the Connection column of the MarkVision printer window has an entry). If it does not, go to the printer driver Properties dialog box and set up the port.

1	In the MarkVision printer window, right-click the icon for the printer to which you want to download fonts.

2	Click Download, choose the correct emulation, and click Fonts.

Choose PostScript if you are downloading PostScript fonts

Choose PCL if you are downloading PCL fonts.

3	In the dialog box that appears, enter the Font Source Path. This is the source directory for the fonts to be downloaded. You can also click Browse to locate the directory and then double-click it.

4	Before you can download fonts, you also need a Font Target Path and a Metric File Target Path. These are target directories to which fonts and their metric files are copied so that Windows-based applications can use them.

You can also click Browse to locate the directory and then double-click it.

If the Font Target Path or the Metric File Target Path you enter does not exist, the new path is created when you download the fonts.

5	Click Search Path to update and display the list of fonts you can download in the Available Fonts list.

The list provides the descriptive names of the fonts found in the Font Source Path.

6	In the Available Fonts list, select the fonts you want to download. Look at Space Required to see the size of the fonts selected in the list. The value displayed is the total space required for each font selected and changes when you select or deselect fonts.

7	Click Bypass Spooler if you want to download immediately to a printer via bidirectional communication without waiting for the printer preceding jobs to print. Without selecting this option, the print jobs are added to the end of the driver's spooler.

8	Specify the destination to which to download: RAM, flash or disk.

If there is not enough space available on the flash or disk option, you can use Format to permanently erase all existing information on that option and make the space available. This will create more space for the downloaded items.

9	Click Download.

10 Click Close when you are finished.

Notes

If you want to download the same fonts to several printers, you can also download the fonts once, then copy them to the other printers. See the Related Topics for procedures how to do this.

The space required in the Download Destination may be greater due to overhead in the storage process.

Choosing RAM as a download destination is temporary. Items downloaded to RAM are lost when the printer is powered off.

If any of the options are not installed in the printer and bidirectional communication is active, the unavailable options are grayed out.

Flash and disk options are purchased separately and are not available on all printer models.

 Related Topics


About overlays, macros, or streams

Note

In this procedure overlay refers to PostScript overlays, PCL macros, and PCL XL streams.

An overlay, or watermark, is a file that can be defined and then printed as a background before the data from the current job is printed. Typical examples of overlays include company logos or letterheads, decorative borders, or simulated "preprinted" forms. Overlays can include text, graphics, or images. In PostScript emulation, they are called overlays, in PCL 5 emulation they are called macros, and in PCL XL emulation they are called streams.

Overlays are created using any word processing program. You can either save the overlay as a file and download the file to your printer or you can download the file directly from the word processing program. You may want to save a copy of the overlay file on your system if you intend to send a copy to someone or if you want to store the same overlay on multiple printers. It is also a good idea to save the file for backup.

You can use a combination of any two overlays for any one print job. For example, you can specify the first overlay as the one to be used on the first page and the second overlay as the one to be used on all subsequent pages. This is useful when the first page represents a company letterhead. Or, you can specify the first overlay as the one to be used on all odd-numbered pages and the second overlay as the one to be used on all even-numbered pages. This is useful when duplexing. The first overlay prints on the front of all pages and the second overlay prints on the back of all pages.

If RAM, flash, or disk options are available in your printer, you can download PCL macros to those destinations. PostScript overlays and PCL XL streams can only be downloaded to flash and disk options.

If you store the macro in printer memory (RAM), the macro is lost each time you turn the printer off. You need to download the macro each time the printer is turned back on. Overlays stored in the flash or disk option are not lost when the printer is turned off.

Once an overlay is downloaded, the overlay is stored on your flash or disk option as a file. You can use MarkVision to:

move files from one flash or disk option to another.

move files from a flash or disk option on one printer to a flash or disk option on another printer.

copy files from one flash or disk option to another.

copy files from a flash or disk option on one printer to a flash or disk option on another printer.

delete files from a flash or disk option.

rename PCL macros on a hard disk option.

view information about a file.

Note

Flash and disk options are purchased separately and are not available on all printer models.

 Related Topics


How to create, download, and use overlays, macros, and streams

Before you begin

To download to a printer, you must have the correct driver installed. For example, you cannot download a PCL 5 macro if you only have a PostScript driver installed for the printer.

Check that the selected printer has a port connected (the Connection column of the MarkVision printer window has an entry). If it does not, go to the printer driver Properties dialog box and set up the port.

Note

In this procedure overlay refers to PostScript overlays, PCL macros, and PCL XL streams.

1	Create your template (examples are: forms, letterhead, watermarks).

a	Open your Windows word processing program.

b	Create the template. You can use graphics and text.

c	Save the template.

2	Create a downloadable overlay file.

a	To create an overlay to be used by a PostScript printer/print job, select the PostScript driver. See your Windows operating system online help to select the PostScript printer driver.

To create a macro/overlay to be used by a PCL emulation printer/print job, select the PCL emulation driver. See your Windows operating system online help to select the PCL emulation printer driver.

To create a stream/overlay to be used by a PCL XL emulation printer/print job, select the PCL XL emulation driver. See your Windows operating system online help to select the PCL XL emulation printer driver.

b	In your word processing program, select Print and select the Print to File option. If you are unsure how to do this, refer to the documentation or online help that came with your word processing program.

c	If you are creating a PostScript overlay, enter the path where you want to store the file and use a file name with .ps as the extension.

If you are creating a PCL macro, enter the path where you want to store the file and use a file name with .pcl as the extension.

If you are creating a PCL XL stream, enter the path where you want to store the file and use a file name with .x16 as the extension.

3	Download the overlay to your printer.

a	In the MarkVision printer window, right-click the icon for the printer to which you want to download overlays.

b	Click Download, choose the correct emulation, and click Overlay, Macro, or Stream.

Choose PostScript if you are downloading a PostScript overlay.

Choose PCL if you are downloading a PCL macro.

Choose PCL XL if you are downloading a PCL XL stream.

c	In the dialog box that appears, enter the source directory and overlay filename. Or, click Browse to locate the directory and then double-click it.

d	Enter a descriptive name that makes it easy to recognize the contents of the overlay file. The name can be up to 18 characters in length. You can use any combination of spaces and characters.

e	Click the Demo check box if you are downloading a PostScript overlay and want to print the overlay by itself as well as use it with a print job. The descriptive name is listed under the Print Demo option of the Tests menu on the printer operator panel. This downloads the overlay file as a demo file, so you have two files on your download destination from a single download.

f	Specify the download destination: RAM (PCL macro only), flash or disk.

If there is not enough space available on the flash or disk option, you can use Format to permanently erase all existing information on that option and make the space available. This will create more space for the downloaded items.

g	Click Download.

4	Use the overlay.

a	Create the text or graphics you want to print on the overlay.

b	In the MarkVision printer window, right-click printer with the downloaded overlay and click Driver Setup.

c	If you have multiple drivers loaded, you will be prompted to select the printer driver you want to use.

d	On the printer properties dialog box, click the Overlay tab.

e	Click either First Page/Other Pages or Odd Pages/Even Pages.

f	Click the overlay to be used for the First Page or the Odd Pages.

g	Click the overlay to be used for the Other Pages or for the Even Pages.

h	Click OK.

Notes

If you want to download the same overlay to several printers, you can also download the file once, then copy it to the other printers. See the Related Topics for procedures how to do this.

Create a letterhead logo and store it as an overlay in your printer. Then select that overlay for the first page and None for the other pages to print your job with the logo on the first page only.

Use Odd Pages/Even Pages with duplex printing to specify one overlay for the front side of each sheet and a different overlay for the back side.

Choosing RAM as a download destination is temporary. Items downloaded to RAM are lost when the printer is powered off.

If any of the options are not installed in the printer and bidirectional communication is active, the unavailable options are grayed out.

Flash and disk options are purchased separately and are not available on all printer models.

 Related Topics


About Demos

Demo files can be created using any word processing or graphics program and are typically used as printer test pages. You can download demo files to your printer. A demo file is a file that resides in the printer and can be printed by selecting the descriptive name from the Print Demo option in the Tests menu on your printer operator panel.

If flash memory or the hard disk are available in your printer, you can download to those destinations.

Once a demo is downloaded, the overlay is stored as a file. You can use MarkVision to:

move files from one flash or disk option to another

move files from a flash or disk option on one printer to a flash or disk option on another printer

copy files from one flash or disk option to another

copy files from a flash or disk option on one printer to a flash or disk option on another printer

delete files from a flash or disk option

view information about the file

Note

Flash and disk options are purchased separately and are not available on all printer models.

You can copy or move a demo file from the original download destination, but the printer may not recognize the moved demo file. If you need the demo file at another location, it is best to download it to the needed location.

 Related Topics


How to download a demo

Before you begin

To download to a printer, you must have the correct driver installed. For example, you cannot download a PCL font if you only have a PostScript driver installed for the printer.

Check that the selected printer has a port connected (the Connection column of the MarkVision printer window has an entry). If it does not, go to the printer driver Properties dialog box and set up the port.

1	In the MarkVision printer window, right-click the icon for the printer to which you want to download the demo .

2	Click Download, choose the correct emulation, and click Demo.

Choose PostScript if you are downloading a PostScript demo.

Choose PCL if you are downloading a PCL demo.

Choose PCL XL if you are downloading a PCL XL demo.

3	In the dialog box that appears, enter the source directory and demo filename. Or, click Browse to locate the directory and then double-click it.

4	Enter a descriptive name that makes it easy to recognize the contents of the demo file. The name can be up to 18 characters in length. You can use any combination of spaces and characters. The descriptive name is listed under the Print Demo option of the Tests menu on the printer operator panel.

5	Specify the download destination: RAM, flash or disk.

6	Click Download.

Notes

The flash and disk destinations cannot be selected if these options have not been installed on your printer. These options are purchased separately and are not available on all printer models.

If there is not enough space available on the flash or disk option, you can reformat the flash or disk to delete all existing information and make that space available. Remember, formatting the flash or disk permanently deletes all information on the flash memory or disk options.

 Related Topics


Download PostScript/PCL Fonts Dialog Box

Font Source Path:


Displays the source directory for the fonts to be downloaded.

Enter the path or click Browse to change the directory.


Font Target Path:


Displays the target directory to which fonts are copied so that Windows applications can use them.

Enter the path (including the drive letter) or click Browse to change the directory.

Notes

Some conversion may occur from the original font so that it may be used by the drivers.

If the Font Target Path you enter does not exist, the new path is created when you download the fonts.


Metric File Target Path:


Displays the target directory in which font metrics files are created. Windows needs the font metric files for every font you use.

Enter the path (including the drive letter) or click Browse to change the directory.

Notes

Some conversion may occur from the original font so that it may be used by the drivers.

If the Metric File Target Path you enter does not exist, the new path is created when you download the fonts.


Available Fonts


Lists the descriptive names of the fonts found in the Font Source Path the last time Search Path was clicked.

Click Search Path to update this list if fonts have been added in the source path or if the Font Source Path has changed.

The Font Target Path and Metric File Target Path must be specified before you can download any fonts.

Once you have selected the Download Destination, select the fonts to be downloaded from the list. The amount of memory required at the destination for the selected fonts is displayed in the Space Required field.

Click Download to download the selected fonts to the current Download Destination.


Space Required


Displays the size of the fonts selected in the Available Fonts list. The value displayed is the total space required for each font selected. It changes when you select or de-select fonts.

Note

The space required in the Download Destination may be greater due to overhead in the storage process.


Search Path


Click this to update the list of fonts in the Available Fonts list.

If fonts have been added in the source path or if the Font Source Path has changed, click this to update the Available Fonts list.


Download


Click this to store the fonts selected in the Available Fonts list in the current Download Destination.

Note

The Font Target Path and Metric File Target Path must be specified before you can download any fonts.


The following definitions are generic to all of the Download dialog boxes.

Browse…


Click this to browse through folders to find the directory you want to use in the selected field.


Space Available


Displays the space available in either flash or disk when it is the selected Download Destination and bidirectional communication is active for the selected printer.

Notes

This field is not editable.

This field is not displayed when RAM is selected as the Download Destination.

The exact amount of space available is determined using bidirectional communication when you open the Download dialog box. After a download, this value is updated based on the size of the files downloaded and may not be exact.


Bypass Spooler


Lets you download immediately to a printer via bidirectional communication without waiting for the printer's preceding jobs to print. Without selecting this option, the print jobs are added to the end of the driver's spooler.


Download Destination


RAM, Flash, and Disk


Specify the destination to which you want to download: RAM, flash, or disk.

Warning

Choosing RAM as a download destination is temporary. Items downloaded to RAM are lost when the printer is powered off.

If you select the flash or disk option, you can use Format to permanently erase all previously downloaded data in the selected option. This creates more space for the downloaded items.

Notes

Choosing RAM as a download destination is temporary. Items downloaded to RAM are lost when the printer is powered off.

If any of the options are not installed in the printer and bidirectional communication is active, the unavailable options are grayed out.


Format


Click Format when flash or disk is the Download Destination to create more space for the download.

Warning

Format permanently erases all previously downloaded data at the current destination.


Close


Closes this dialog box.


Cancel


Closes this dialog box without making any changes.


Download PostScript Overlay /PCL Macro Dialog Box

Source File Name


Displays the source directory and file name for the file to be downloaded.

Enter the path or click Browse to change the directory.

Note

If a file name is already displayed when you open this dialog box, the Browse button is disabled and this field cannot be changed.


Descriptive Name


Specifies the descriptive name of the file listed in the Source File Name field.

Type the name in this field as you want it to appear. You can use up to 18 alphanumeric characters, and underscores for PostScript overlays or blanks for PCL overlays.

This name lets you give your file a meaningful name, such as: Loan Application, Company_letterhead, and so on.


Space Required:


Displays the size of the source file selected.

Note

The space required in the Download Destination may be greater than the size displayed here due to overhead in the storage process.


Download


Click this to store the overlay in the current Download Destination.

Note

The Descriptive Name must be specified before you can download the file.


Remove Printer Commands


Click this to remove the printer specific commands that may cause the overlay to be invalid.


Demo


Click this if you want to be able to print the PostScript overlay by itself (as a blank form, for example) as well as use it with a print job.

This creates two files on the download destination - one is the overlay, the other is the demo file.


Download PCL XL Stream Dialog Box

Source File Name:


Displays the source directory and file name for the stream file to be downloaded.

Enter the path or click Browse to change the directory.


Descriptive Name:


Specifies the descriptive name of the file listed in the Source File Name field.

Type the name in this field as you want it to appear. You can use up to 18 alphanumeric characters and spaces.

This name lets you give your file a meaningful name, such as: Loan Application, Company Letterhead, and so on.


Space Required:


Displays the size of the stream selected.

Note

The space required in the Download Destination may be greater than the size displayed here due to overhead in the storage process.


Download


Click this to store the stream in the current Download Destination.


Download PostScript/PCL/PCL XL Demo Dialog Box

Demo File Name:


Displays the source directory and file name for the demo file to be downloaded.

Enter the path or click Browse to change the directory.


Descriptive Name - PostScript or regular PCL


Displays your descriptive name of the file listed in the Demo File Name field.

Type the name in this field as you want it to appear. You can use up to 18 alphanumeric characters and spaces.

This name lets you give your file a meaningful name, such as: Loan Application, Company Letterhead, and so on.


Descriptive Name - PCL XL only


Displays your descriptive name of the file listed in the Demo File Name field.

Type the name in this field as you want it to appear. You can use up to 18 alphanumeric characters and spaces.


Space Required:


Displays the size of the demo selected.

Note

The space required in the Download Destination may be greater than the size displayed here due to overhead in the storage process.


Download


Click this to store the demo in the current Download Destination.

Note

The Descriptive Name must be specified before you can download the file.