Combining Graphics And Text - Printronix P6000L User's Reference Manual

Combining Graphics and Text

P6000L/P6200L Series printers are capable of combining graphics and characters (text) on the
same page in two ways: using Bit Image graphics or P-Series Plot mode to produce characters
as well as graphics and using a combination of print mode/graphics.
Any character or symbol can be created in the Plot mode or with Bit Image graphics simply by
addressing and plotting the appropriate dot positions. In this way, both graphics and text can be
produced on the same line in a single printing pass. However, Print mode is a faster, more effi
cient method of producing characters.
Either Bit Image or Plot mode graphics can be mixed with text within the page on a line by line
basis. Each line of graphics data must include a graphics control code or the printer will auto
matically default to the print mode. Using Bit Image graphics, it is possible to use the print
mode to produce text on one print pass followed by a print pass to produce graphics on the
same line; however, text characters can be affected by the Bit Image data when combined on
the same line.
When returning to the print mode from graphics, an extra line feed should be included in the
data stream to maintain proper line registration throughout the page. If the extra line feed is
not included, the first character line after the graphics data may be truncated as shown in
Figure 4-12.
The MODIFIED PLOT SELECT configuration option, as shown on the Control Panel Switch
Function Diagram, sheet 6 of 12 on page 3-22, will affect the translation from graphics to
print mode. MODIFIED PLOT DISABLED places the next line of text on the page as if the
current line spacing had been followed while plotting. MODIFIED PLOT ENABLED places
the next line of text on the dot row following the last dot row of plotting.
4-12
Figure 4-11. Sample Odd Dot Plot
Figure 4-12. Truncated Character Line
Graphics