Programming; Introduction; Overstrike/Overlay Mode - Printronix P3000 Series User's Reference Manual

Introduction

You can configure the printer from the control panel to respond to control codes in one of two standard
protocols: Printronix P–Series or Serial Matrix. If equipped with the Intelligent Graphics Processor
(IGP) option, the printer responds to the Special Function Control Character and IGP commands as
described in the IGP User's Reference Manual. This programming chapter describes:

Overstrike/Overlay Mode

Control Code Functions
Special Function Control Code Header
Attribute Set and Reset Codes
Control Code Reference Index
Individual Control Code Descriptions
Overstrike/Overlay Mode
You can underline or overstrike data in the print buffer when the carriage return code (hex 0D) is con-
figured for carriage return only (not carriage return and line feed). Any printable characters in the data
stream can overstrike printable characters or spaces already loaded in the print buffer as long as a paper
motion command (i.e., line feed, form feed) has not been received. The printer is in the Overstrike
Mode when configured from the control panel for OVERSTRIKE ENABLE. This mode causes the
printer to double strike any dots following the carriage return that lay on top of dots placed before the
carriage return. To make a character bold, send the character, a carriage return, and the character again.
The printer is in the Overlay Mode when configured from the control panel with OVERSTRIKE DIS-
ABLE. The Overlay Mode causes dots following the carriage return to lay on top of existing data re-
ceived before the carriage return. (No dots will double strike.) The Overlay Mode results in faster
printing because it does not have to strike dots twice; however, the Overlay Mode does not allow char-
acter bolding with the use of carriage returns. An example of overstrike/overlay and underlining char-
acters is shown in Figure 6–1.
Enter in Print Buffer
P3000 SERIES PRINTER (CR)
SS/// (CR)
_____ (LF)
S = Space (20 Hex)
LF = Line Feed (0A Hex)
* NOTE: The printer must be configured for CR=CR only. If configured for a carriage return and
line feed on receipt of the CR code, the contents of the buffer will print.

Programming

CHAPTER 6
PROGRAMMING
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Figure 6–1. Overstrike/Overlay and Underline Examples
Page 6–1
Page 6–2
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Page 6–3
Page 6–4
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Printed Result
P3000 SERIES PRINTER ///
CR = Carriage Return (0D Hex)*
_ = Underline (5F Hex)
6–1