EXP Systems Forum: Batch Printer and direct printing at the same time

Message

   Hi!

I've written an application in VB.NET and want to print direct to a physical printer and create a PDF in the background with the batch printer. I need this  feature because I need a backup if the hardcopy is lost or destroyed.

I don't want't to print 2 times from the application because it takes too long to build 2 print files (many data to process ...).

How can I configure this in PDF reDirect?

Thanks for response!

Author	Message
hermi Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 09 Location: Germany Posts: 4	Topic: Batch Printer and direct printing at the same time Posted: 01 Jul 09 at 2:46PM
	Hi! I've written an application in VB.NET and want to print direct to a physical printer and create a PDF in the background with the batch printer. I need this feature because I need a backup if the hardcopy is lost or destroyed. I don't want't to print 2 times from the application because it takes too long to build 2 print files (many data to process ...). How can I configure this in PDF reDirect? Thanks for response!
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 02 Jul 09 at 12:17AM
	Hi, The separate PDF reDirect Pro ActiveX remote control component should be your ticket. It will allow you from VB.net to create the PDF, and then also print it to a physical printer bu using the following function: "Utility_Print_PDF". Anyway, take a look at the ActiveX component and sample VBA/VB6 code [here]. Obviously, you will need to do a little bit of translating to get it to work with VB.NET. I hope that helps!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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hermi Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 09 Location: Germany Posts: 4	Posted: 03 Jul 09 at 2:23PM
	It works! I added the ActiveX_PDF_Pro.dll to the references in the Application pane of the Project Designer. Then I was able to see the Class PDF_reDirect_Pro_Tool in my object browser. With this two commands I startet the physical printing from the pdf-file I created before: Dim oPDF As New PDFR_PRO_Batch_RC.PDF_reDirect_Pro_Tool oPDF.Utility_Print_PDF(filename, False, printername) But now I have another Problem... The pdf-file created is different from direct printing to the physical printer. It is shrinked together. I use the physical paper nearly to the edge. What can I do about this?
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 05 Jul 09 at 10:58PM
	Hi, Hmmm... Every printer is a little bit different, but PDF reDirect Pro allows printing all the way to the edge, so it should look very similar to your physical printer's output. What I would do next is to check your physical's printer margins to see if there are any margins set as default. Basically, I would go Start Menu >> Settings >> Printers >> Your Printer >> (right-click) >> Properties >> General Tab >> Printing Preferences. In there, look for advanced page settings which allow you to change the default margins. Also, the "Utility_Print_PDF" might not print to the same size paper as what you selected elsewhere. For example, I have seen shrunken pages when printing a European "A4" onto a "US Letter" page. It works, but it appears smaller (shrunk). I hope that helps. That's all I can think for now.
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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hermi Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 09 Location: Germany Posts: 4	Posted: 04 Aug 09 at 5:34AM
	Hi! I didn't manage the problems so far. It seems that the printer setting (A4) is correct. Another test gave me some new information: It is possible to draw to the edge of the paper. But alle text and graphik is smaller than the original (printing to a physical printer). A 4x4 cm graphik is shrunk together to lets say 3.6x3.6 cm and all text is smaller as well. I tryed some settings in PDF reDirect but nothing works. Any idea?
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 04 Aug 09 at 3:27PM
	Hi, Please send me a problem file (MS Word would be great), and a sample PDF (of the same file, converted to PDF) so I can see the problem. Please send to my e-mail address: exp (at) exp-systems (dot) com. I can take a look, and see if I can duplicate the problem. Cheers!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 12 Oct 09 at 12:08AM
	Hi, Thanks for the files. I have found the problem, and incorporated the change in PDF reDirect Pro (the little printer icon in the Preview header), but I still need to update the ActiveX component too (which is not done). Anyway, you can try the Beta to see if that works better for you now (at least, when you are doing it manually through the user interface of PDF reDirect Pro. The beta is available [here] Cheers!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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hermi Newbie Joined: 01 Jul 09 Location: Germany Posts: 4	Posted: 13 Oct 09 at 11:25AM
	Hi! Thanks for your fast reply, but the beta version does not work as it should do. Printing from PDF reDirect Pro looks like before. I tried to upgrade my installed version, removed it and did a fresh new install and last I installed the version on a different PC. No change in the output. Any ideas?
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 13 Oct 09 at 11:35PM
	Hi, This is because I have not updated the ActiveX component (yet). You can test the fix by clicking the small printer icon in the "Preview" area. I will update the ActiveX component this week - which will address the problem when printing from VBA. Cheers! Michel
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 19 Oct 09 at 12:38AM
	OK, I think I got it working. I'm still doing some testing, and will report back tomorrow. Cheers!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 26 Oct 09 at 12:44AM
	Hi, OK, I think it's working now. I will release an update this week as part of Beta v2.2.917. Cheers!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 29 Oct 09 at 12:25AM
	Hi, Please download and unzip this [updated Beta ActiveX component] v2.2.917 in the C:\Program Files\PDF reDirect folder. In this package, there is an update PDF processor (Capture.exe) and an updated ActiveX component and sample VBA code. The print function should now work. Cheers! Michel ------------ Update: Fixed the link.
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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Michel_K17 Moderator Group Forum Administrator Joined: 25 Jan 03 Posts: 1673	Posted: 29 Oct 09 at 12:26AM
	Oh, and I forgot: you might need to re-register the activeX component using the Regsvr32 command line program. Cheers!
	Michel Korwin-Szymanowski EXP Systems LLC
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