This revision repairs an error in paper handling on non-PostScript printers and during preview. This error causes a DeskWriter print to crash, and may cause memory errors in Epson and StyleWriter printers.
Do Not Install If:
Do not install this revision if your PrintChef Resources was created after January 30, 1998. After
copying the file, then restart your computer.
Installing the Revision:
To install this revision, unpack the archive (which you must have done if you are reading this), and then simply drag the "PrintChef Resources" file to your installed "PrintChef Folder".
DO NOT: Drag this file to your original disk!
What you will get with PrintChef:
PrintChef contains a 200-page user guide written with information-mapping techniques that compose single ideas onto each page. There are over 60 examples, described in the guide and included with the product. PrintChef comes on 2 diskettes, and has assorted literature to support registration, comments, and serial numbers. And, of course, with every printChef package, you get free technical support!
How does it work?
PrintChef intercepts your application's output and then mixes automatic (no recipe required) print-time effects with recipe effects to change that output into your chosen print design. Think of printChef as a filter, that your application pours into— and where it is changed, enhanced, and improved to create printed output under your total control. One of our customers said it best: “…printChef gives me control of what the application will print. I no longer have to depend on some application's weird concept of what the output should be…”.
With printChef, your designs are only limited by your imagination!
If you are installing the demo from a download:
The decompression of the download should have created a folder named “PrintChef Demo”. This file should be in that folder. You can make a diskette copy of the demo by copying the contents of this folder to a diskette and then naming the diskette “PrintChef Demo Disk” (this name is required). Or, you can install directly from this folder and then dispose of the folder afterwards.
If you are installing from a diskette:
The “PrintChef Demo Disk” can install the demo directly to your system. It may be copied and distributed freely to your friends and user group.
Other files:
In order to fit the demo onto a single diskette, we could not supply all the files that normally come with the package (on 2 diskettes). However, a copy of these files can be downloaded from the internet (www.mindgate.com) by visiting the “Example Recipes” page. All recipes created with the demo can be used by the real package, and vice versa.
Installing the PrintCher Demo:
1. Double-click on the “PrintChef Installer”.
2. Click the “Install” button.
The installation creates a “PrintChef Folder” at the main level of your hard drive. This is where the Designer and Printing Manager are located. It also creates a “PrintChef Control” panel in the Control Panels folder.
Activating and Deactivating the Demo:
To activate the demo, simply RESTART your computer— You are now ready to printChef. To deactivate the demo, move the “PrintChef Control” panel out of the Control Panels folder and RESTART.
The demo is a fully functional version of the printChef softare. However, when you print with this demo, you will notice that the “Mr. C” figure is printed on every page of the output.
To load the Preferences and Catalogs for the Demo:
1. Double-click on the “Printing Manager” icon (in the “PrintChef Folder”).
2. Click on the “Change Preferred recipe menu…” button and “Add” all the recipes in the left list to move them to the “Preferred List” on the right. This list defines preferred recipes for the print-time environment (and they will appear in the preferred recipe menu). You can always make changes to this list as you create your own recipes.
3. Return to the “Printing Manager” and click on the “Change Catalog menu…” button. Check the “Watermarks” box. This registers the “Watermarks” folder as a catalog, and creates easy-access recipe buttons in the print-time environment. You can always go back and change this list as you create other recipe folders and recipe buttons.
4. To continue, read the “Using PrintChef” file to learn about and try PrintChef's features.
Files and Folders and what they do:
A. The “PrintChef Control” was installed in your “Control Panels” folder. NOTE— To disengage printChef from your system, all you need to do is remove the “PrintChef Control” panel from your “Control Panels” folder and restart your computer.
B. The “PrintChef Folder” (on your system's hard drive) contains:
1. DB Readers folder— This folder contains database file formats that printChef can understand. When printing with a recipe that accepts inputs from a database, you will need to select a format from this folder.
2. Models folder— This folder contains several bar code models and the signature model with their associated “Read Me” files. It also contains the “MindGate Modeling” font, which must be moved to your System's “Fonts” folder before you can use the modeling system.
3. Page Sizes file— This file contains several non-standard page sizes (3x5 card, 1/2 letter, name plate, etc.). This is a text file that you can edit to add new entries, delete entries you don't want, or rearrange the order of the entries. The header of the file describes the format. The page sizes in this file will appear in the “Load:” popup menu, found in the “Paper Designer” within the “PrintChef Designer”.
4. Paper Types file— This file contains thickness information for various types of paper (20# rag, copier paper, construction paper, etc.). It is a text file that can be edited to add new entries, delete entries you don't want, or rearrange the order of the entries. The header of the file specifies the format. The paper thickness information in this file is only used to correct for “page creep” in booklet printing.
5. Personal Recipes folder— Use this special folder to store your personal print recipes so that they can be easily accessed during printing. When accessing files, you can get here by clicking the “Home” button in the file dialog (with the shift key down).
6. Plug-ins folder— This folder contains extensions to the PrintChef system (e.g. Tiling Helper, Database Record Extender, etc.).
7. Print Log file— This file is used by printChef to track your print jobs.
8. Print Recipes folder— Use this folder to store your company-wide print recipes. This folder can be aliased to a file server for common access by all PrintChef users.When accessing files, you can get here by clicking the “Home” button in the file dialog.
9. PrintChef Captures file— For internal use and created by the PrintChef system. Do not remove or delete this file.
10. PrintChef Designer program— Use this application to create/design your print recipes.
11. PrintChef Preferences file— For internal use by the PrintChef system. You make changes to this file through the “Printing Manager”.
12. PrintChef Resources file— For internal use by the PrintChef system. Do not remove or delete this file.
13. Printing Manager program— Use this application to specify your preferred recipes, catalogs, image stamp lists, logging controls, and to print various reports.
14. SimplePrint program— Use this simple printing program to test recipe effects.
