Technical Memo: Determining Alternate Tray Numbers





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DETERMINING ALTERNATE PAPER TRAY NUMBERS

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Abstract

The following document gives tips on how to determine alternate tray numbers on PostScript language printers. These trays can then be accessed using ScriptServer for OpenVMS forms or ScriptServer PAN Printing System resources. (The nomenclature is somewhat different between the two products.)

Problem Synopsis

Many departmental printers provide alternate paper trays in which to load paper stock of different types, such as letterhead, preprinted forms, legal sized paper, or three-hole punch.

The PostScript language provides three ways to access paper trays: by paper size, by tray number, and by stock type. Selection by paper size is directly supported in the ScriptServer for OpenVMS product using the SCRIPT Facility or the PRINT/PARAM=SHEET_SIZE parameter, or in the ScriptServer PAN Printing System through forms which invoke the appropriate resources. Tray selection by stock type is only available in PostScript Level 2 and later, and is documented in Tech Memo 82: Selecting Paper Trays Based on Media Type.

The essence of the problem is determining the tray number assigned to each tray by the PostScript interpreter, which may or may not be the same as those used by other print definition languages (such as PCL) on the same printer. Once the tray number has been determined, it is fairly straightforward create a setup that accesses the tray automatically.

The Solution

Two tools, in the form of PostScript print files, are available for determining tray numbers. These are PAPER_HANDLING.PS, and PAPERTRAY.PS. These files are usually distributed with the OpenVMS product, but in any case they are available to all GrayMatter Software customers on request.

Printing PAPER_HANDLING.PS generates a detailed report of the PostScript interpreter's view of the paper tray configuration, including the paper sizes and detailed media information for each tray available.

Printing PAPERTRAY.PS causes a page to be drawn from each tray available, labeling each page with the tray number it was drawn from. Prior to printing this file, mark the first sheet of paper in each of the available trays with a note that identifies the tray, such as "middle" or "top".

Setting Up the Form

The following fragment will print on letter-sized paper which is being drawn from tray 3:

statusdict begin 3 setpapertray end letter

This technique works with all PostScript Level 1 printers, and most Level 2 and later printers.

ScriptServer for OpenVMS

Save the fragment with your favorite text editor, calling it LTRHEAD.PS:
To gain write access to the device control library, either stop all ScriptServer queues or create a new version of the library with the command:
```
COPY SYS$LIBRARY:SSV$DEVCTL.TLB SYS$COMMON:[SYSLIB]
```

Place the module in the device control library:

LIBR/INSERT SYS$LIBRARY:SSV$DEVCTL.TLB LTRHEAD.PS

Define the form that references the setup module:

DEFINE/FORM/STOCK=DEFAULT/SETUP=LTRHEAD LETTERHEAD 12345

You're now ready to use your new form name, for example:
$ PRINT/QUEUE=QUEUE1/FORM=LETTERHEAD MYFILE.LIS

ScriptServer PAN

Save the fragment as a resource and associate it with a form.