Printing Graphics; Character Graphics - TransAct Ithaca 90PLUS Series Programmer's Manual

Programmer's Guide

10 Printing Graphics

The Series 90PLUS Printer has bit image graphic capability and a full PC-compatible graphic character set. The bit
image format is similar to that used on other PC printers. There are three modes of operation: single-density; half-
speed double-density; and full-speed double-density.
Single-density is the fastest mode. It makes a single unidirectional 60 dpi print pass. The full-speed double-density
mode makes two passes with a half-dot offset. This mode is half the speed of single-density print but will print at 120
dpi. Half-speed double-density mode is half the speed of full-speed double-density; however, the print quality is
enhanced.

10.1 Character Graphics

Character graphics is the term for joining individual characters together to produce a mosaic of characters that
form a graphic image. The simplest method uses an * (or any other character) to form an image. For example,
ITHACA might be formed as follows.
*** *** * * **
* * * * *
* * ***** ****
* * * * *
*** * * * *
The extended character set of the printer supports line graphic characters that can be combined to form windows
and other shapes. For the shapes to join from line to line, the spacing must be set properly.
All characters are in a nine-dot-high character cell. The dots are 1/60 of an inch apart. Therefore, the line
spacing should be 10/60 or 1/6 inch. The set fine line space command can be used to set this line spacing. If
possible, the spacing should be reduced slightly to overlap the rows, which prevents any white spacing from
appearing between the lines. The following example illustrates the use of extended character graphics.
[ESC]U<1>
[ESC]:
[ESC]3<34>
<201>
<205><205><205><205><205><205><205><205><205>
<205><205><205><205><205><205><205><205><205>
<205><205><205><205>
<187>[CR][LF]
<186> PcOS PRINTERS
<186>
<186> MADE TO ORDER
<186> BUILT TO LAST
<200>
<205><205><205><205><205><205><205><205><205>
<205><205><205><205><205><205><205><205><205>
<205><205><205><205>
<188>[CR][LF]
[ESC]U<0>
[ESC]0
[SI]
11/07/05
PcOS Series 90PLUS
*** **
* * * * *
* ****
* * * * *
* *** * *
Select unidirectional print for better alignment.
Select 12 cpi.
Set line spacing for 0.157 inch. (This is slightly smaller than 1/6 inch).
Send the line graphic characters to the printer.
<186>[CR][LF]
<186>[CR][LF]
<186>[CR][LF]
<186>[CR][LF]
Finish the line graphics.
Reenable bidirectional printing.
Set standard 1/8-inch line spacing.
Set 17 cpi.
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Printing Graphics
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