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PostGIF

Print a Compuserve GIF image file on a Postscript black and white or color 
printer


Syntax

POSTGIF [<switches>] <cFILENAME.GIF> [<nLeft> <nTop> 
   <nNewWidth> <nNewHeight>]


Switch

/f
Do not send a form feed after print.

/c
Print in color. Default is monochrome.

/l
Print in landscape mode.

/b<n>
Set brightness change to <n>. Range is-255 (dark) to 255 (light). 
Default is 10.

/letter
Set page size to 8.5" x 11" (default).

/legal
Set page size to 8.5" x 14".

/ledger
Set page size to 11" x 17".

/postcard
Set page size to 100mm x 148mm.

/jisA4
Set page size to 210mm x 297mm.

/jisA4long
Set page size to 210mm x 347mm.

/jisB4
Set page size to 257mm x 364mm.

/jisA3
Set page size to 297mm x 420mm.

/fast
Set fast data transfer mode (LPT ports only).

/com<n>
Send output to com <n>.

/lpt<n>
Send output to lpt <n> (default is lpt1).

/prn
Send output to standard print.

/file:<FILE>
Send output to <FILE>.


Arguments

<cFILENAME.GIF>
The GIF file to print.

<nLeft>
The optional left offset into page in inches (or millimeters).

<nTop>
The optional top offset into page in inches (or millimeters).

<nNewWidth>
The optional new width in inches (or millimeters).

<nNewHeight>
The optional new height in inches (or millimeters).


DOS Error Messages

<nLeft> + <nNewWidth> should be less than 11.0 
<nTop> + <nNewHeight> should be less than 17.0
unknown switch: /<switch>


DOS Error Levels

0
Success.

1
Cannot open <cFILENAME.GIF>.

2
Cannot allocate enough memory for line buffers.

3
<cFILENAME.GIF> is not a GIF file.

4
Print terminated by user.

5
Printer does not acknowledge.

6
Printer is out of paper.

7
Printer time out error.

8
Cannot print interlaced GIF files.


Remarks

Print a GIF 87A image file on a Postscript black and white or color printer. 
The bit-mapped image will be quantized on your computer in about 3 - 5 
minutes, with a total print time dependent on your printer. Optional 
disabling of formfeed, changing brightness, port, or file. Has the 
capability of printing enormous images larger than screen sizes to 
32,767 x 32,767 pixels (with sufficient hard disk storage space and 
printer memory). These values far exceed current mechanical capabilities. 
Supports multiple images, US/European standard paper sizes. Includes 
special /FAST method providing similar speed as SendBIN (part of Sunshow, 
standard edition). /FAST parameter writes directly to printer ports, 
supports LPT ports only; does not support COM ports, PRN, FILE, and is not 
network redirectable, therefore cannot be used with network. Network use 
of PostGIF requires, use of network print services.

Alternative, non-networked method: Print to disk file with /file: switch, 
then use SendBIN for fastest print speed.


Postscript Printer Tips
By specifying the /FAST parameter or by printing to a file for use with 
SendBIN considerable time savings over the Postscript engine can be gained. 
By quantizing the image to a file (quantizing time: 2 to 4 minutes, 
depending on size), actual print time using SendBIN or /FAST will be an 
additional 55 seconds to 9 minutes. Postscript printers require RGB temp 
files for quantizing, thus sufficient hard disk space is required. 
Depending on the speed, memory, and design of the Postscript engine in your 
printer, it may be advisable to not set the landscape rotation flag due to 
the slowness of processing (taking up to 45 minutes for printing a rotated 
image). It will be faster in most cases, to convert to PCX or Targa then 
print to a hard disk file, and finally bypassing the BIOS by using SendBIN 
to dump the image to the Postscript printer.


Printer Margins

All Sunshow Pro Postscript drivers default to .25 inch left margin and .75 
inch top margin. The margin may be defined as the distance from an edge of 
the paper to the printable area. The printable area varies according to the 
mechanical specifications of the printer (its paper gripper, etc.). 
Different brands of Postscript printers may require different margin 
settings (refer to your printer manual for exact settings). If your printer 
uses different margins, failure to pass correct margin parameters may result 
in inadvertent truncation of printed images.


Other Tips

Use the switch (instead of disconnecting the power cord) to power down the 
printer so that the printer can properly shut down. Some printers requires 
an extensive warm up time when first starting it up or following power down 
for reset. Occasionally, printer cables are found that are not completely 
connected at all pins. This can cause much hair pulling when trouble 
shooting (it may be worth checking all the pins with a continuity checker).

Remember, all cables should always have all wires or lines available and 
enabled to avoid possible connection difficulties, especially when using 
different equipment at many locations on a network. SCSI device cables must 
be properly terminated at each end of the daisy chain. Color thermal print 
quality is highly dependent on paper quality and finish. Using the 
manufacturers recommendation for paper is the best policy. Experimenting 
with different papers could void the warranty and cause costly damage to 
the printer. Specially coated papers with a very smooth finish produce the 
best presentation quality. Some synthetic "papers" are too slippery for 
some printers, cannot feed correctly, and have ink adherance problems.


Example

To print ASMUSSEN.GIF at the upper, left corner of the page 8" wide and 
6" high, as a Postscript file, in color, to LPT1, with a brightness change 
to 30, in portrait mode:

POSTGIF /C /B30 ASMUSSEN.GIF 0 0 8 6