Plain-text printing on dot-matrix printer

Question

Hi everybody...

I need some help with printing in Visual Basic 2005: i have lots of customers that have dot-matrix printers, and, to be more specific, epson tm series of receipt printers (i have installed 1.61 epson tm windows driver). When i print using the PrintDocument, the output are beatiful, but painful slow. So, i want to print header of the receipt in the new fashion, but the rest of receipt (the data) in the traditional factory printer font. I already studied the print powerpack, but only supports truetype fonts. Any idea? Thanks in advance to community.

Answer 1

The following code lists all the fonts that are supported by Printer Compatibility Library:

    Dim Printer As New Microsoft.VisualBasic.PowerPacks.Printing.Compatibility.VB6.Printer

    For i As Integer = 0 To Printer.FontCount - 1
            Console.WriteLine(Printer.Fonts(i))
    Next
 

Answer 2

Hi Mr. Yun.

Thanks for taking your time to reply my message.

I can comment that im aware of FontCount property. in fact, in my tests, i replaced console.writeline with a checkedlistbox, to see the available fonts. The problem consist that im very needed to print receipts in "text-mode", instead of "graphic" truetype mode. The readme clearly outlines "this powerpack only support truetype fonts", that are useless to me, 'cos graphics printing are very very slow in dot-matrix printers. Im translating a 10-year old DOS foxpro program, to a new visual basic 2005/SQL 2005 equivalent, but i find in visual basic 2005 print routines a big wall to accomplish my task, since my clients (some hundreds) will complain for printing speed (and that customers dont have planned to change the printers just 'cos the new software print slow). The powerpack its a step more to make swift change from old VB6 apps to new VB, but i think MSFT need to present a print powerpack 2.0 that supports printer-default fonts. Meanwhile... you have more ideas how to workaround this problem?

Thanks again for your patience.

Bernardo Salazar

Answer 3

Try this:

 

Imports Microsoft.VisualBasic.PowerPacks.Printing.Compatibility.VB6

 

Dim Printer As New Printer

Printer.PrintQuality = vbPRPQDraft

 

Printer.Print("Heading 1")

Printer.EndDoc

 

It still uses Truetype font, but it will be faster.

 

 

Answer 4

Hi,

 In a shell or ( DOS ) command line window you can do this>>

Here is the Shell ( Dos ) command that I wrote:

Type C:\whateverPathToYourFile\myFile.txt > LPT1:

This should be faster if your printer is a parallel port one, it should use the default setting or current setting of the built in printer typeface - font.

 I don't know if you can do this with a printer on one of the USB ports.

 I don't know how to send a command like this to a shell window from VB.Net either.

 

Regards,

S_DS

 

Answer 5

Hi Mr Yun, greetings from Venezuela

 

I can comment that i already tried the print.printquality method, but i obtained a blank output. Also, i tried with PrinDocument's property DefaultPageSettings.PrinterResolution.Kind=Printing.PrinterResolutionKind.Draft, with the same result. As i imagine, dot-matrix printer drivers dont have a "draft" mode. so, the driver don't understand what is draft, and simply print empty spaces.

 

The user spidermans suggested the use of DOS shell, i think that is a valid option, but, with a high-tech programming language like Visual Basic 2005, the use of shell to print a text file its like back to the cavern ages, and i dont like this type of "patches" in my programs. Its code elegance related thing. I think the code need to be beautiful inside (for the programmer's pleasure), and outside (for user's easyness).

 

I will appreciate more ideas, but at this point im grateful for receiving your attention.

 

Bernardo Salazar

Answer 6

Estimated spiderman's darkside

 

I feel grateful for your interest in help me, i will take your advice in consideration, since not are a elegant solution, but in last instance...

In retribution, take note how to run external apps fron VB.NET

 

imports system.diagnostincs

...

...

 

Dim myProcess As System.Diagnostics.Process = New System.Diagnostics.Process()

myProcess.StartInfo.FileName = "calc.exe"

myProcess.StartInfo.WindowStyle = System.Diagnostics.ProcessWindowStyle.Normal

myProcess.Start()

 

Thanks again for your time.

Bernardo Salazar

Answer 7

Bernardo Salazar wrote:

Estimated spiderman's darkside I feel grateful for your interest in help me, i will take your advice in consideration, since not are a elegant solution, but in last instance... In retribution, take note how to run external apps fron VB.NET imports system.diagnostincs Dim myProcess As System.Diagnostics.Process = New System.Diagnostics.Process() myProcess.StartInfo.FileName = "calc.exe" myProcess.StartInfo.WindowStyle = System.Diagnostics.ProcessWindowStyle.Normal myProcess.Start() Thanks again for your time. Bernardo Salazar

Hi,

Process.Start method will run launch CMD.Exe but i've been unable to pass any argument(s)  to it like

Process.Start( CMD.Exe, "Dir C:\")

it might be>>

Process.Start( "CMD.Exe", "Dir C:\")

 i can't remember if 1st set of quotes are needed around the application name to Start.

 

Regards,

S_DS

 

Answer 8

Type C:\whateverPathToYourFile\myFile.txt > LPT1:
produced an error like aol missing?

Answer 9

VishnuMohan wrote:

Type C:\whateverPathToYourFile\myFile.txt > LPT1: produced an error like aol missing?

 

Hi Vishnu,

 

That seems like a very odd error to me.

 

 

 

Regards,

 

S_DS

 

Answer 10

I have same problem please help me

Hello

I have a problem in Printing in pre printed bill .

Bill Size

I am using

OS   = Windows XP
Visual Basic Enterprise Edition 6



Height :   6 inches   Width  of paper :  9.1 inches

I wish to print bill by bill, Pre printed stationery is continious paper, I wish to print in one bill after one bill the paper automatically skip to other bill.

Now the problem is after printing one bill paper skips two or more bills. I wish after printing first bill, second bill ......



I used three codes to print . But problem contious. There is no paper size in VB for my paper setting ( height 6 inches , width 9.1 inches)

the problem is : while printing the paper moves for A4/Letter and i cann't able to enable the Tear off Mode.


I am enclosing three codes please rectify my errors :

First code using vb printing
----------------------------------
Private Function printmethod()
Dim cy As Long
Dim cx As Long
Dim tmpval As Double

Printer.ScaleMode = ScaleModeConstants.vbTwips

Printer.Width = 13104
Printer.Height = 8640



Printer.CurrentX = 9360
Printer.CurrentY = 2736 ' 2300
Printer.Print "Bill No: " & Bnotxt.Text
Printer.CurrentX = 2880 '3160
Printer.CurrentY = 2304
Printer.Print cnametxt.Text
'Printer.Print "Customer Name : " & cnametxt.Text
Printer.CurrentX = 2880
Printer.CurrentY = 2736 ' 2500
Printer.Print cptxt.Text
'Printer.CurrentX = 7200
'Printer.CurrentY = 2304
'Printer.Print "Bill Mode : " & btype
'Printer.CurrentX = 864 '1440
'Printer.CurrentY = 3312
'Printer.Print "Sno          Product Name             Grams     Wastage     Price      M-Charge  S-Charge    Amount "
Printer.CurrentX = 864
Printer.CurrentY = 3168 '3312
Printer.Print "S.NO"
Printer.CurrentX = 1584
Printer.CurrentY = 3168 '3312
Printer.Print "PARTICULARS"
Printer.CurrentX = 4064
Printer.CurrentY = 3168 ' 3312
Printer.Print "GRAMS"
Printer.CurrentX = 5216
Printer.CurrentY = 3168
Printer.Print "WASTAGE"
Printer.CurrentX = 6368
Printer.CurrentY = 3168
Printer.Print "RATE"
Printer.CurrentX = 7376
Printer.CurrentY = 3168
Printer.Print "M.C"
Printer.CurrentX = 8400
Printer.CurrentY = 3168
Printer.Print "S.C"
Printer.CurrentX = 9400
Printer.CurrentY = 3168
Printer.Print "AMOUNT"
Printer.FontBold = False
Printer.FontSize = 10

cy = 3600
i = 1
While i <= sno
mg1.Row = i
mg1.Col = 0
Printer.CurrentX = 864 '1440
Printer.CurrentY = cy
Printer.Print mg1.Text

Printer.CurrentX = 1584 '2160
Printer.CurrentY = cy
mg1.Row = i
mg1.Col = 2
Printer.Print mg1.Text

cx = 4064  '2900
Printer.CurrentY = cy
mg1.Row = i
mg1.Col = 3 '3
tmpval = Format(mg1.Text, "#0.000")
Select Case Len(tmpval)
Case 4
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 400
Case 5
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 300
Case 6
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 200
Case 7
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 100
Case 8
Printer.CurrentX = cx
End Select
Printer.Print mg1.Text

cx = 5216 '3800
Printer.CurrentY = cy
mg1.Row = i
mg1.Col = 5 '4
tmpval = Format(mg1.Text, "#0.000")
Select Case Len(tmpval)
Case 4
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 400
Case 5
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 300
Case 6
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 200
Case 7
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 100
Case 8
Printer.CurrentX = cx
End Select
Printer.Print mg1.Text

cx = 6360  '4750 - 6368
Printer.CurrentY = cy
mg1.Row = i
mg1.Col = 6 '5
tmpval = Format(mg1.Text, "#0.00")
Select Case Len(tmpval)
Case 4
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 500
Case 5
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 400
Case 6
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 300
Case 7
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 200
Case 8
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 100
Case 9
Printer.CurrentX = cx
End Select
Printer.Print mg1.Text

cx = 7376 '5600
Printer.CurrentY = cy
mg1.Row = i
mg1.Col = 7 '6
tmpval = Format(mg1.Text, "#0.00")
Select Case Len(tmpval)
Case 4
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 400
Case 5
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 300
Case 6
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 200
Case 7
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 100
Case 8
Printer.CurrentX = cx
End Select
Printer.Print mg1.Text

cx = 8400 '6500
Printer.CurrentY = cy
mg1.Row = i
mg1.Col = 8 '7
tmpval = Format(mg1.Text, "#0.00")
Select Case Len(tmpval)
Case 4
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 400
Case 5
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 300
Case 6
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 200
Case 7
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 100
Case 8
Printer.CurrentX = cx
End Select
Printer.Print mg1.Text
'-- SEN DO
cx = 9300 ' 7300 -9400
Printer.CurrentY = cy
mg1.Row = i
mg1.Col = 9
tmpval = Format(mg1.Text, "#0.00")
Select Case Len(tmpval)
Case 4
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 600 ' 600
Case 5
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 500 ' 500
Case 6
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 400  ' 400
Case 7
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 300 ' 300
Case 8
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 200 '200
Case 9
Printer.CurrentX = cx + 100 ' 100
Case 10
Printer.CurrentX = cx
End Select
mg1.CellAlignment = 3
Printer.Print mg1.Text
i = i + 1
cy = cy + 300
Wend

Printer.FontBold = True
Printer.FontSize = 9
Printer.CurrentX = 720  ' 6000
Printer.CurrentY = 7000 'cy + 300
'Printer.Print "Total Amount :" & tottxt.Text
Printer.CurrentX = 2880 '6000
Printer.CurrentY = 7000  'cy + 600
Printer.Print "Discount :    " & disctxt.Text
Printer.CurrentX = 6000
Printer.CurrentY = 7000   ' cy + 900
Printer.Print vattxt.Text
Printer.CurrentX = 9216 '6000
Printer.CurrentY = 7488     'cy + 1200
Printer.Print Netamttxt.Text
'Printer.Print "Net Amount :  " & Netamttxt.Text
Printer.EndDoc
'Printer.NewPage
End Function

====================================================
2. Second code creating Text file and printing
=======================================================

Public Function txtprint()
Dim bno As String
Dim bdate As String
cname = cnametxt.Text
bdate = datetxt.Text
place = cptxt.Text
bno = Bnotxt.Text

Call modBillPrinter.OpenPrintFile
Call modBillPrinter.PrintPLine(Chr(12))
'Call modBillPrinter.PrintPLine(Chr(12))
'Call modBillPrinter.PrintPLine(Chr(12))
'Call modBillPrinter.PrintPLine(Chr(12))

Call modBillPrinter.PrintPLine(Space(10) + MakeString(Trim(cname), 15, ALIGN_LEFT) + Space(5) + MakeString(Trim(bno), 10, ALIGN_LEFT))
Call modBillPrinter.PrintPLine(Space(10) + MakeString(Trim(place), 15, ALIGN_LEFT) + Space(5) + MakeString(bdate, 10, ALIGN_RIGHT))
Call modBillPrinter.PrintPLine(Chr(12))
Call modBillPrinter.PrintPLine(Space(5) + MakeString(" S.NO", 5, ALIGN_LEFT) + Space(3) + MakeString("Particulars", 20, ALIGN_LEFT) + Space(3) + MakeString("Grms", 6, ALIGN_RIGHT) + Space(3) + MakeString("Wastage", 7, ALIGN_RIGHT) + Space(3) + MakeString("Rate", 4, ALIGN_RIGHT) + Space(3) + MakeString("MC", 5, ALIGN_RIGHT) + Space(3) + MakeString("SC", 5, ALIGN_RIGHT) + Space(3) + MakeString("Amount", 10, ALIGN_RIGHT))
Call modBillPrinter.PrintPLine(Chr(12))

psno = 1
 
 While psno <= sno
 
  If tcount > 5 Then
   Print #1, Chr(12)
   Call Header
   tcount = 1
  End If
 
  mg1.Row = psno
  mg1.Col = 2: particulars = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 3: grams = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 5: wastage = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 6: trate = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 7: mc = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 8: sc = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 9: amount = mg1.Text
 
  Print #1, Spc(8 - Len(CStr(psno))); psno; Spc(3); '8
  Print #1, particulars; Spc(20 - Len(CStr(particulars))); '17
  Print #1, Spc(9 - Len(CStr(grams))); grams; '7
  Print #1, Spc(8 - Len(CStr(wastage))); wastage;
  Print #1, Spc(11 - Len(CStr(trate))); trate; '7
  Print #1, Spc(9 - Len(CStr(mc))); mc; '7
  Print #1, Spc(8 - Len(CStr(sc))); sc; '7
  Print #1, Spc(12 - Len(CStr(amount))); amount '11
 
  tcount = tcount + 1
  psno = psno + 1
 
 Wend

    For i = 1 To 9 - tcount
   Print #1, vbCr
   Next i
 
  Print #1, Spc(5); "Discount : "; disctxt.Text; Spc(5); "VAT : "; vattxt.Text
  Print #1, vbCr
  Print #1, Spc(76 - Len(CStr(Netamttxt.Text))); Netamttxt.Text
  Print #1, Chr(12)


modBillPrinter.ClosePrintReport
If Dir(App.Path + RPTNAME) <> "" Then
   strFilename = App.Path + RPTNAME
   Call ViewBills(RPTNAME)
Else
    MsgBox "Report No Initilize"
End If
Shell App.Path & "\PRINT.BAT", vbHide
End Function


====================================================================
3 Third method - ( In this method no printing no out put in printer totally no print out
=====================================================================


Private Function PrintBill()
Dim tsno As Integer
 
 'Open "LPT1" For Output As #1
 Open "E:\jewelproject\DSREPO.TXT" For Output As #1
 Call Header
 psno = 1
 
 While psno <= sno
 
  If tcount > 5 Then
   Print #1, Chr(12)
   Call Header
   tcount = 1
  End If
 
  mg1.Row = psno
  mg1.Col = 2: particulars = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 3: grams = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 5: wastage = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 6: trate = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 7: mc = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 8: sc = mg1.Text
  mg1.Col = 9: amount = mg1.Text
 
  Print #1, Spc(8 - Len(CStr(psno))); psno; Spc(3);
  Print #1, particulars; Spc(17 - Len(CStr(particulars)));
  Print #1, Spc(6 - Len(CStr(grams))); grams;
  Print #1, Spc(8 - Len(CStr(wastage))); wastage;
  Print #1, Spc(7 - Len(CStr(trate))); trate;
  Print #1, Spc(7 - Len(CStr(mc))); mc;
  Print #1, Spc(7 - Len(CStr(sc))); sc;
  Print #1, Spc(11 - Len(CStr(amount))); amount
 
  tcount = tcount + 1
  psno = psno + 1
 
 Wend
 
  For i = 1 To 9 - tcount
   Print #1, vbCr
  Next i
 
 Print #1, Spc(5); "Discount : "; disctxt.Text; Spc(5); "VAT : "; vattxt.Text
 Print #1, vbCr
 Print #1, Spc(76 - Len(CStr(Netamttxt.Text))); Netamttxt.Text
 Print #1, Chr(12)
 
 Close #1
 'Shell App.Path & "\PRINT.BAT", vbHide
 Shell "E:\jewelproject\PRINT.BAT", vbHide
 'Shell "c:\1.txt", vbHide
End Function


Public Function Header()
 
 cname = cnametxt.Text
 bdate = datetxt.Text
 place = cptxt.Text
 bno = Bnotxt.Text
 
 For i = 1 To 6: Print #1,: Next
 
 Print #1, Spc(18); cname; Spc(42 - Len(Name)); bdate
 Print #1, Spc(18); place; Spc(42 - Len(bno)); bno
 Print #1, vbCrLf
 
 Print #1, Spc(5); "Sl.No"; Spc(3); "Particulars"; Spc(6); " Grams";
 Print #1, " Wastage"; Spc(3); "Rate"; Spc(3); "MC"; Spc(5); "SC"; Spc(6); "Amount"
 Print #1, vbCrLf


End Function
========================================================================

Please help me to print properly in pre printed bill
=======================================================

A.Senthil kumar

Answer 11

hi

try

Printer.PaperSize = vbPRPSUser to set paper size (no need to set length & width)



printer.killdoc to stop printing


i think it will work

Answer 12

hello

what will be happen if paper size be changed ?
there is different paper size bills at some country.
how can we get correct line and coulumn ?
Can you give me C# example ?

Thanks

Answer 13

hey would u pls tel me if u find the answer...... same problem here.........

Answer 14

Hola Bernardo!

Lograste resolver este problema.

Se me presenta similar situación, y no he encontrado forma de imprimir en un no true-type font.

Saludos desde Costa Rica.

Carolina

Answer 15

Hello

I use shell method. CMD

but my printer doesnt print şğıçü characters. paper show these characters like symbols.

What can i do this for this ?

Answer 16

Hi

Just install and use  Generic / Text only printer for  'textonly' print

Install and use IBM Graphics Printer for 'Graphics' Print in Draft Mode

Answer 17

Hi

using Generic / Text is ok, but it does not print Arabic, any idea??

please help