Printing

[Wally Turnbull]

Walter Vaughan asked
> GNU GPL is the license. What is the actual name of the open source
> project that you used to make the pcl-to-pdf conversion?

I had to check with the programmer who did the work to get more details.  I
though the code was covered by the GNU GPL but it turns out that it was not
directly based on a GNU project.  It was based on Artifex Software's
GhostPCL (an offshoot of ghostscript) which is covered by the Aladdin Free
Public License similar but not identical to GPL.

The problem with distribution as it has been explained to me is that the
AFPL requires a changed program to include the name and email address of the
person who made the changes.  Our programmer felt that he could not provide
support to those who might receive distributed copies so we are constrained.

I do believe that the unmodified version of GhostPCL will handle most needs
to create PDF files from filePro reports.  

See http://www.artifex.com/downloads 

There are various ways to use GhostPCL with filePro. One example summarized
is:

Set PFPRTC=XXLaser 
(Use laser printer table)

Set PFPRT=P:\temp\myfile.pcl 
(Print to a file called myfile.pcl)

Dreport +options to print a report to P:\temp\myfile.pcl 
(print the report)

ghostpcl.exe -dNOPAUSE -sDEVICE=pdfwrite -sOutputFile=P:\temp\myfile.pdf
P:\temp\myfile.pcl 
(convert pcl file to pdf file)

Start myfile.pdf or email message with attachment myfile.pdf
(open or email the pdf file)

The script can be written to use variables and do more but this is the basic
idea.

Peace,
Wally Turnbull