How to print to another printer

rbuser

I have 2 printers, p1 and p2. P1 is the default. In code I want to print to
p2 (which is actually pdf995) to create a pdf file.

This is happening in the report previewer. I added a button in the toolbar
to send email. I want this button to set printer to PDF995, print to a file
I designate in code, then reset printer to whatever it was before email
button was pressed.

I'm using Version 7.04 of RB with D6.

procedure ExportPDFFile;
var
engIdx : integer;
begin
engIdx := self.Report.PrinterSetup.PrinterNames.IndexOf ('PDF995');

if (engIdx >= 0) then
begin
self.Report.PrinterSetup.PrinterName := 'PDF995';
// self.Report.PrinterSetup.FileName := EmailFileName;

self.Print;

SimpleMapiMail.Attachments.Add (EmailFileName);
end;
end;

Problems:
1 - The print statement causes print dialog to pop up. How do I suppress
that?
2 - How do I tell the PDF995 print driver the name of file to create?

Help is much appreciated.

Keith

rbuser

Same problems as before, but here is latest code and notes...

procedure ExportPDFFile;
var
engIdx : integer;
savePtr : string;
begin
engIdx := self.Report.PrinterSetup.PrinterNames.IndexOf
(DBConfig.PDFEngine);

// 7/9/08 - If user has their own pdf report engine (saved in
DBConfig.PDFEngine)
// use their engine to generate the pdf file
if (DBConfig.UsingPDFEngine = 'Y') and (engIdx >= 0) then
begin
savePtr := self.Report.PrinterSetup.PrinterName;

try
self.Report.PrinterSetup.PrinterName := DBConfig.PDFEngine;

// self.Report.PrinterSetup.FileName := EmailFileName;

self.Print;
SimpleMapiMail.Attachments.Add (EmailFileName);
finally
self.Report.PrinterSetup.PrinterName := savePtr;
end;
end

Problems:
1 - The print statement causes print dialog to pop up. How do I suppress
that?
2 - How do I tell the PDF995 print driver the name of file to create?
3 - The call to self.print triggers the creation of the pdf file, but my
program resumes running before the pdf is created, so the attachments.add
statement does not work as expected.

Thanks in advance,

Keith

rbuser

The makers of PDF995 have been helpful with this... I think I just need one
more question answered... how do I print report from TppPreview and suppress
the printer select window?

nardmoseley

RB 10 has built-in Email support and built-in support for PDF. The preview
toolbar contains an Email button. The user can press the button and
automatically the PDF attachment is created and their email client is
displayed.

RB 10 can open reports created by prior releases, including RB 7.x.

RB includes support for D6, D7, D2005, D2006, D2007.

Please consider updating to RB 10.

--
Nard Moseley
Digital Metaphors
www.digital-metaphors.com

rbuser

> Is there a way to print w/o getting the select printer dialog?

TppReport.ShowPrintDialog := False;


I've seldom had a problem with Report Builder--maybe version 6? Moving from
the beta to the release.... FWIW, I don't use DADE in RB, but do push some
of the other limits.


Just recompile the packages, if you use the at design time. I don't, I just
put the units in my uses clause.


but AFAICK it requires your customers to purchase it--not always an option.
I've found that anytime I've sent an issue in on the PDF driver, it's
normally been fixed very quickly.


send an email directly to sales@.. for that

HTH
Ed Dressel
Team DM

rbuser

Is there a way to print w/o getting the select printer dialog?

I am leary about upgrading as it always seems to introduce new problems.

Problem I'm having right now is with Pragnaan and PDF output... If I upgrade
I suppose I won't need Pragnaan anymore, correct?

Also, what do you say about criticisms about RB's PDF quality, file size or
speed? PDF995 is fast and creates very small files, and renders well.

If I upgrade and have problems what is return policy?

Thanks.

Keith

nardmoseley

RB 10 is far superior to RB 7 - no camparison there - better architecture,
better features, better stability/quality. I recommend downloading a trial
version. We offer a 30-day money back guarantee on purchases.

Using a printer driver PDF solution is not desirable to most of customers
due to the deployment issues and the lack of control. RB 10 can work with
Gnostice, Pragnaan, ExtraDevices. You can do some testing with these
solutions to determine what works best for your needs. I think for PDF,
Gnostice has the most advance support.

The RB Email feature can work with any of the device add-ons mentioned
above - PDF and other formats as well. The RB Email feature supports
plug-ins - and includes plugins for MAPI, Indy9, Indy10, and Synapse. So all
in all you have ultimate flexibility in configuration.



--
Nard Moseley
Digital Metaphors
www.digital-metaphors.com

rbuser

My code is in the descendent object of a TppPreview. It is basically:

self.Report.ShowPrintDialog := false;
self.Print;

I still see the dialog box asking me to choose the printer. What am I doing
wrong?

rbuser

you need to interrupt the button print and do your own.

I cannot remember how it was done it v. 7--look at the source--I think you
assign a method to the button's click, but you should be able to find it.

Ed Dressel