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ImageFX 2.x Studio Printing Module
----------------------------------
This is the first release of the ImageFX 2.x Studio driver. Note:
This driver is not made by your ImageFX manufacturer Nova Design.
So don't ask them for help with this driver. Send email to
following address:
CompuServe: Wolf Faust 100116,1070
Internet: 100116.1070@compuserve.com
Thanks
------
First a big thanks to Nova Design for making this driver possible.
Introduction:
-------------
This ImageFX Studio printer module allows printing using the
Studio or CanonStudio print program. Studio and CanonStudio offer
printing 24 bit to a Workbench driver using a color management.
Using the Studio color management you can adjust all output
colors. The software also adds a spooling and many other printing
functions to ImageFX. It offers a much better output than the
SuperPrefs printer module shipped with ImageFX.
Please note that the Studio printer module includes a print
spooler. So you can continue working with ImageFX within seconds
after starting the print. Printing is done in background. You
can even have several print jobs running at the same time.
Requirements:
-------------
+ ImageFX 2.x (the driver was tested with the latest V2.6
version but should work fine with older ImageFX versions)
+ Studio 2.12 (or higher) or registered CanonStudio
(all Studio explanations below also apply to CanonStudio).
Note: this update archive includes a Studio V2.11->V2.12 and
CanonStudio V2.xx->V2.12 patch.
A list of all Studio distributors are listed at the end.
+ an additional 1-2 MBytes RAM for the Studio printing program.
+ free disk space for the included spooler.
Installation:
-------------
- Click on the install icon using the Workbench.
- Follow the installation guides given by the install program.
The installation program will first update your printing
program. It will than search for a possible ImageFX or
ImageFX2 assign and install the printer module accordingly.
- After succesfully installing the ImageFX Studio printer module,
start ImageFX.
- Select the printer panel. Than select the Studio printer module.
- Enter a path to the spool drawer in the shown "Temp. Direct."
string gadget. The spool drawer is used by the module to save
images intended for print. Because of this, there should be
enough disk space left for saving 3-5 very large images in this
drawer.
- In order to safe your spool drawer permanently, select the
"Prefs" panel and save your settings.
- Now you have done the basic setup. Click on "Print" in order
to print an image from ImageFX using the Studio or CanonStudio
printing program.
The Basics
----------
So how does the ImageFX Studio printer module work? The module
will act as a link between the Studio printing program and
ImageFX. The Studio printing program can print images to
basicly any Workbench driver in 24 bit precission. Studio also
offers custom drivers wich are not limited by the Amiga
printer.device.
When selecting "Print" in the ImageFX printer panel, the current
image is safed by ImageFX in the specified temporary directory.
The image file is than forwarded to the Studio printing program.
The print program will show it's known user interface and you can
select the wanted print settings. Once you click on the "Print"
gadget in Studio, the image will be printed. The control is
immeaditly returned to ImageFX after clicking on the "Print"
gadget. So you can continue working with ImageFX while Studio is
printing in background. You can even issue more print jobs while
printing takes place. You don't have to wait for your printer
anymore.
Setting up the ImageFX printer module is easy. But what about the
Studio settings? The print settings in the Studio program reflect
the default settings for your printer after installing the
program. If you want your personal settings get used, use the
Settings/Open menu item to load your default Studio.prefs settings
file.
The ImageFX Studio printer module accesses the Studio/CanonStudio
printing program using the Studio server interface. All settings
made withing the Studio user interface after clicking on ImageFX
"Print" gadget are safed in a settings file named
"PageStreamStudioPrt.prefs" in the Studio_Prefs drawer. So your
usual Studio settings safed in Studio.prefs are not altered by
your ImageFX adjustments. This way you can have to different
adjustments without having to switch manually. For instance, you
can usualy print images to an expensive dye sub printer using
Studio. But when printing using PageStream, you can setup Studio
to print to another printer wich fits your DTP needs better.
If you want to use your usual Studio settings with the ImageFX
module, use the Studio Settings/Open menu item to load your
default settings in the Studio.prefs file.
The ARexx Commands
------------------
The Studio module supports ARexx commands similar to other ImageFX
modules. Following commands are supported:
PRINT
This starts the print process. The image loaded in ImageFX will be
safed and forwarded to Studio. The standard Studio user interface
will show up for the user. In case the user "Cancel"s the print, 2
is returned in rc by the command. On an error, 1 is returned in
rc. 0 is returned in case no error appeared.
PRINT QUIET
Same as Print, but the Studio user interface will not be shown.
Instead the print is started using the default Studio settings for
ImageFX.
TEMPDIR
TEMPDIR <drawerpath>
Use this command to define the spool drawer used by the printer
module or to get the current spool drawer of the module. The
previous setting of the spool drawer is returned in "result" by
the command. No error is returned in rc.
VERSION
Returns the version of the module's ARexx interface in
result. Currently this is 1.
Problems & Fixes:
-----------------
There are many things that can go wrong when it comes to printing.
You also might get confused by some things happening when printing
using the Studio printer module. This section describes things to
note:
- The "Print Server" can't get started or you don't get a response?
The Studio module needs to know where to find your Studio printing
program in order to start it. The path and filename of your
Studio printing program is stored at installation time in the
STUDIOPATH environment variable in ENV: and ENVARC:. The ImageFX
module will be unable to locate the printing program, if you
remove the environment var or change the path/filename of
Studio/CanonStudio.
If you change things, you can update the STUDIOPATH enviroment var
by "hand" or by installing this update again. The install program
will make sure STUDIOPATH is defined correctly.
Another reason might be lack of memory, either fast or chip
memory. Both, Studio and ImageFX, have to be running on the same
screen at the same time. If you don't have enough memory for
doing so, forget using this module (or better, get more memory).
- Your system crashes after selectint "Print"
While this never happened during the testing of the driver, I just
want to make sure you know this shouldn't happen if both Studio
and ImageFX have enough stack. Usualy the default stack size
given is enough. You can increase the stack size using the
Workbench Tool/Information menu item in case you do get a crash.
Driver History:
---------------
19.06.96 - V1 First release
COPYRIGHT/DISCLAIMER
====================
Copyright ©1996 Wolf Faust. All rights reserved. All
distribution- and marketing rights to the software (drivers) are
vested in Wolf Faust. The software has been provided to you
strictly 'as is', without warranty of any kind. In no event shall
the distributor and/or Faust be held liable for any loss or
damages arising out of any action, from whatever source,
concerning the use or inability to use the software. YOU MAY NOT
USE, COPY, OR TRANSFER THE PRODUCT, OR ANY COPY OR PORTION,
WITHOUT PRIOR CONSENT IN WRITING FROM WOLF FAUST.
Installer and Installer project icon (c) Copyright 1991-93
Commodore-Amiga, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced and
distributed under license from Commodore. More (c) 1986-1993
Commodore-Amiga, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduced and
distributed under license from Commodore.
And here is the list of the latest Studio distributors:
Germany: Australia & New Zealand
Deutschland: GSoft Australia Pty Ltd.
arXon GmbH PO Box 59
Assenheimer Str. 17 Elizabeth SA
D-60489 Frankfurt Australia 5114
Germany Tel: 08-284-1266
Tel: 069-978410-26 Fax: 08-284-0922
Fax: 069-978410-30 (English Version)
(German Version)
The Netherlands: North America:
MacroSystem NL Safe Harbor Computers
Tromplaan 1 W226 N900 Eastmound Drive
3951 CL-Maarn Waukesha
Tel: 03432-2969 WI 53186
023-296166 Tel: 414-548-8120
Fax: 03432-3103 Fax: 414-548-8130
(English Version) (English Version)
United Kingdom: Belgium:
HiSoft Click! b.v.b.a.
The Old School, Greenfield Boomsesteenweg 468
Bedford MK45 5DE 2610 Wilrijk
Tel: 0525-718181 Tel: 038281815
Fax: 0525-713716 Fax: 038286736
(English Version) (English Version)
France: Spain:
Phoenix-DP Almathera TU Amiga Ordinadors
BP 801 C/Progreso No 6 Local3
64008 Pau Cedex 08120 La Liagosta
Tel/Fax: 059829500 Barcelona
Tel: (93) 560 3604
Fax: (93) 560 3607