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volume_8
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lj_duplex
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1994-08-24
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******************************
* LjDuplex *
* *
* Issue 2.0 15/08/93 *
* *
* From Mijas Software *
* (C) 1994 Mijas Software *
******************************
This Software is supplied `as is'. It is
designed to enable full duplex printing of a wide
range of DTP documents on a Hewlett Packard (or
equivalent with PCL emulation) Laserjet printer
with a full DUPLEX option.
An IMPRESSION PUBLISHER version of this manual
is available to all registered users.
This software is shareware. If you wish to use it
for more than 30 days please register your copy by
sending ú10 by cheque or PO to:-
Mijas Software
Winchester Rd.
Micheldever
Winchester
Hants SO21 3DG
Tel/Fax 0962 774352
Introduction
In order to enable printing on both sides of the paper many
current systems require that you turn over the output stack
of paper after printing the first side and then re-insert it
into the printer input tray to print the second side. This
can be very time-consuming and it can prove difficult to
achieve an easy flow of paper on the second side.
The first problem is the need to `square off' the stack of
paper in order to place it back in the imput tray. Due to
electrostatic effects and slightly uneven stacking it can be
quite difficult to replace it in the tray so that it `feeds'
cleanly and evenly for the second side.
There can also be problems with paper `curl' which may
affect the pick up mechanism causing missfeeds and even
paper jams.
High quality paper helps but this can prove expensive.
Many of these problems disappear if you can use a printer
with a duplex option ie. one which is able to turn the paper
over automatically and print the second side. Most laser
printers can be bought with this option and some can be
updated to full duplex.
There are however at least three remaining problems a) Many
LaserJet Printer Drivers do not have a duplex option b) The
printing options on DTP packages may print pages in the
wrong sequence for the duplex printing. c) The margins set
by many printers on front and back printing passes are wrong
for duplex.
LjDuplex can help solve these problems by modifying the
output of the printer driver a) By inserting the necessary
duplex commands into the print string b) By re-ordering the
pages as required and c) Resetting the `Logical Page' so as
to make the front and back margins equal. For convenience it
can also modify the number of copies printed. You can print
a test copy and then send hundreds of copies to the printer.
Requirements
A hard disk is essential. The LaserJet printer used must
have a `duplex'' option and enough memory to hold all the
text and graphics on both sides of the paper. It should be
connected to the parallel port of your Archimedes.
Status
This software has been tested using Impression Publisher on
a RISC PC using the standard Acorn Hewlett Packard printer
drivers. It may also work for other Archimedes machines and
for other DTP programs and drivers. If you have problems
please send a copy of your print file (see later) with
details of your machine configuration to Mijas Software and
we will attempt to resolve it. If is NOT intended for use
with Laser Direct type printers or other printer types which
do no use the Hewlett Packard PCL printer language.
Installation
Copy the software provided to a convenient position on your
hard disk. Identify a disk location for the output file
which will be generated by your printer drivers. NOTE this
can be many megabytes! Configure your printer driver to
output to file (see later if you have not done this before).
Copyright
This software is provided on the understanding that it is
shareware and will not be used for an extended (more than 30
days) period without registration. The software may not be
modified or distributed in any form other than as a full
image of the disk provided.
Updates
Mijas Software would be pleased to have the opportunity to
look at any problems/suggestion which you may have in using
this software. Please write and send a disk example of your
printer output file.
Booklet Printing (A5 on A4 landscape)
Construct your booklet in A5 page format as usual ensuring
that you have a multiple of 4 A5 pages. Print as for 1 copy
in booklet format and allow both sides to be printed to a
single file. Double click on the !LJduplex icon and `drag'
your printer output file onto the ljduplex iconbar icon. The
first time this is done we suggest that you click with
`MENU' on the LjDuplex icon bar icon go to the `save
choices' option and click on it. This will save your
configuration, Next choose the number of copies to be
printed, leaving the other options at the default settings
initially. When ready click on `PRINT'. Once set up, this
process can be repeated as often as required. We suggest
that you print one check copy and then any longer run when
this has been proof read.
Left/Top offset
The is an option on the dialog box to set the left margin
of the printout. Many laser printers have a larger TOP
margin (in booklet or landscape this is the left) than the
BOTTOM or right margin. Since the paper is turned over
between passes TOP and BOTTOM are changed over. This can
make it very difficult to print booklet pages so that the
front and back margins `match'. Often attempts to do this
result in `clipping' of one side or a very reduced matching
print area. The cure is to reset the position of the LOGICAL
PAGE of the printer so that the top and bottom margins are
the same. This is done by putting a (usually) positive value
in the left/top offset box. The value is in picas (1/720
inch) at the default choice of 280 is about right for our
Laserjet III SI duplex printer.
Collated
When multiple copies are printed the default is to print
all the copies of the first sheet and then all the copies of
subsequent sheets. If the collated option is set LjDuplex
will print successive full copies which do not require
subsequent collation.
Alternate Output Trays
When the collated option is not in use it can be convenient
to send alternated output sheets to alternate output trays
on the printer. This enables long print runs to be carried
out with minimum supervision. Non-Booklet Printing (A4
Portrait) LjDuplex can be used for other duplex work. e.g.
Duplex A4 in portrait mode. This will require LjDuplex to
be set for long edge binding by clearing the short edge bind
flag. In this case the left/Top offset becomes a top margin
adjustment. A value of 280 is again just about right for our
IISi laser printer.
A5 Pamphlet printing
If you wish to print two duplex A5 pamphlets on a single A4
sheet for subsequent cutting to A5, proceed as for normal
printing but create only the two pages required. Load the
printout file into edit and drag a second copy into the edit
window and save. This will then print as required.
Printing to file
Double click on !printers to bring the LsJet icon onto the
icon bar. Click on the icon with `Menu' and then on `Printer
Control. Click on the LaserJet entry with `Menu' and then on
`Connection'. You can then click on `File'. Click on the
`File' radio button and then on the `Menu' option on the
right hand side of the `File' line and drag the `PRINTOUT'
file to a suitable place on your hard disk. (This is the
file you will later `drag' onto the LJduplex icon.) Finally
click on `OK' to set printing to file for this session only.
(ie until you click on the `Parallel' option or re-boot). If
you also click on `save-choices' on the Laserjet Icon on the
Icon bar the printer file will be `remembered' by the system
and you will be able to switch from printing direct to the
printer or printing to file by just clicking of the radio
button on the `printer connections' dialogue box. To change
your `standard' configuration back to direct printing click
on the `parallel' radio icon and then again on `save
choices' on the icon bar menu.
Mijas Software
Mijas Software was set up to bring specialist applications
already available elsewhere, to the Archimedes range of
machines. This current duplex program was generated in
response to an internal requirement for generating
manuals/magazines etc. in A5 format using the Impression
program. Other products include the ArcSimp analogue/digital
simulation program which is aimed at educational, hobby and
industrial applications. Mijas Software are always
interested in users comments/requirements. Please contact us
if you have any suggestions (or brickbats!).