Some other users ( Amigaharry2 & Xyphoid) have also asked for clarification that on STARTUP, after putting the required files in SYSTEM: folders and rebooting, there is a requester brought up, BEFORE MorphOS boots completely which reads something like:

"please insert volume PRINTER: in any drive"

With the options in the requester to Assign, Deny, Cancel, etc.

However, I do not know, and it seems neither do they, as to where PRINTER: is supposed to be assigned to, and this is not mentioned in the readme, as far as I am aware

ReadMe file-

15.11.2013

1. PRINTER: device will be created and copying files to this device will print them.
for example:
copy direct inputfile PRINTER:

2. PRINTER: device takes COPIES, ARGSFILE and FORMAT arguments.
ARGSFILE is compatible with IPP/CUPS arguments
FORMAT is either PS or IMAGE

for example:
copy direct inputfile.jpg "Printer:ARGSFILE=fit-to-page FORMAT=image"
copy direct inputfile.ps "Printer:FORMAT=PS COPIES=2"

3. Printer system needs PPD files to be added/converted to internal format in Printers prefs (in Morphos Preferences).
PPD files for non postscript printers relies on CUPS filters. Two CUPS filters are included
(PCL and Samsung PCL based printers), both rewritten to use ppd.library.

4. PrinterOutput env variable must be set. for example:
setenv save PrinterOutput NETPAR:

5. Printing on non-postscript printers requires latest Ghostscript

The above ReadMe does not indicate where on the system the PRINTER: device is mounted/located, whether some additional ASSIGN in the Startup-sequence is required or just the user-startup, or elsewhere.

Point 2 is also confusing as it sounds like the PRINTER: device when working is a Shell/CLI only tool, which if that were the case then why is there a "MPrefs" file, which presumably, as the screengrab on page 2 (Comment #39) of this thread shows, that the PRINTER: device is accessible through the GUI of Preferences, at least I hope that is what it means, but I'd like that explaining also.

There is only one PPD file, NOT two as the ReadMe states there is, included with the downloads, that is for - testhp.ppd, and the README does not specify how to use the PPD file, or place it where, on the MorphOS system.

So, can someone explain what point 3 in the ReadMe actually means in easy to understand procedural terms, as to where to put / convert / how to convert a PPD file/filter for MorphOS

3. Printer system needs PPD files to be added/converted to internal format in Printers prefs (in Morphos Preferences).

Point 4 also leaves me not knowing what to do next, so can this also be explained:

4. PrinterOutput env variable must be set. for example:
setenv save PrinterOutput NETPAR:

So does this mean you have to insert a line in the startup-sequence, with a line of text as above ?
setenv save PrinterOutput NETPAR:

I know I put the DOSdriver for PRINTER.device in System:DEVS/DOSdrivers (NOT MOSSYS:Devs/DOSdrivers) BUT the "PRINTER" mountlist states that the printer-handler is located in MOSSYS:L ...... BUT the MOSSYS: drawers/files are not supposed to be interferred with so why should I be putting something in MOSSYS: when we are told NOT to do that, but this Beta states that is where the file should be read from - via the PRINTER mountlist.

All this is preventing me from getting the Beta working, and without further instructions on how to install it fully I am having to reluctantly remove the whole of the Beta as I cannot test it, and this question, about ASSIGNING PRINTER: does not seem to have been answered in this thread anyway.

I have a HP5M Colour Laserjet (Postscript & PCL) and a HP 2500 Colour Laserjet (Postscript & PCL) printers, and would really like to be able to use their capabilities, and to test them with this Beta, but at the moment I just don't know how to proceed to install it fully.

Some precise information about how to install it correctly would help immensely.

There is a file (PRINTER) in archive which should be copied to Mossys:Devs/Dosdrivers. It will mount PRINTER: device (not assign, just another device like PRT: PAR: SER: PS:) using included l/printer-handler. After that, programs can save their work (postscript files or image files) to PRINTER: device. PRINTER: and l/printer-handler will convert data to printer-specific stream and save it to file stored in environment variable PrinterOutput.

In an example

setenv save PrinterOutput NETPAR:

i set environment variable value to NETPAR: which is standard device created by geit's netprinter.device (should be mounted previously). This variable can store to simple file path like Ram:file etc. and then printing system will print to file. It should be typed once in shell. Refer to AmigaDos documentation.
It's ok to put my files to MOSSYS: this archive was prepared to use MOSSYS: and any copying files to other directory may cause troubles.

Regarding PPDs files:
I suggest checking HP subpage with drivers:
http://h20566.www2.hp.com/portal/site/hpsc/template.PAGE/public/psi/swdHome/?sp4ts.oid=81956&spf_p.tpst=swdMain&spf_p.prp_swdMain=wsrp-navigationalState%3DswEnvOID%253D2020%257CswLang%253D%257Caction%253DlistDriver

and download linux or earlier macosx drivers and get Postscript PPD file from that. I'll add simple postscript ppd file in next release. In printers prefs you select ppd file and click on Add button. PPD file will be converted to iff format and then You can change options + check Default printer.

edited

another beta, it has fixes samsung drivers (with ppds and color profiles included) and some other fixes

http://brain.umcs.lublin.pl/~rzookol/download/printers.lha

Quote:
So, are you saying that ALL the files that are in the archive should be copied to their respective destinations C: and L: and DEVS:DOSdrivers .. etc. in MOSSYS: and NOT SYS: which would be in conflict with the instructions given by the MorphOS team?

Not that I won't do it, because if this gets the PRINTER: device to work then that is OK with me, and besides which if it going to be part of the MorphOS in the near future it needs testing on a much hardware as is possible before it is considered stable, and works correctly without any, or as few as possible, issues..
Quote:
So, from that, do I understand you correctly that there will NOT be any requester at startup asking to "please insert volume PRINTER: in any drive" which halts the system from booting correctly ?
Quote:
So will we be able to request printer output to be directed to PRINTER: instead of PRT: , or any other currently used device name like PS:, and this will use the new printer system?
Quote:
Does this SHELL command PERMANENTLY save the system output to NETPAR: ?
Quote:
Where is the AmigaDOS documentation available?

Also is it really necessary to have to consult the AmigaDOS documentation as I would have hoped this would get this printing system working correctly automatically?

Or is there some fine tuning to have to do to get it working on individual systems?
Quote:
Which should really be explained in the ReadMe file, but I am glad you have stated this now.
Quote:
What does this involve doing actually. Does every user have to create an individual PPD file for each printer they own?

I own 2 main printers one a HP5M and the other a HP2500 Color Laserjet, so will I have to create 2 PPD files from a generic PPD file or what?
Quote:
That sounds like any PPD file will convert the data sent to the NETPAR: (PRINTER:) device to IFF format which is automatically interpreted by the printer itself, is this correct?

By the way thanks for a much more precise understanding of what to do, but the ReadMe file could do with a lot more detail to avoid the situation some of us have experienced so far in trying to understand how you intended it to be installed.

Incidentally, THANKS for all your hardwork, and any others involved with the development of this printing system, which has been needed for so long. A better printing system has been one of the Achilles' heels of the Amiga systems for so long

>> setenv save PrinterOutput NETPAR:
>> [...]
>> It should be typed once in shell. Refer to AmigaDos documentation.

> Does this SHELL command PERMANENTLY save the system output to NETPAR: ?
> Where is the AmigaDOS documentation available?

You can read about the SetEnv command there:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AmigaDOS#Local_and_global_variables

> is it really necessary to have to consult the AmigaDOS documentation [...]?

If you appreciate knowing what this command line written in the readme file does but are not fluent enough in AmigaDOS to know it by heart, then yes, you obviously should consult AmigaDOS documentation.

>> I suggest checking HP subpage with drivers [...] and download linux or earlier
>> macosx drivers and get Postscript PPD file from that.

> What does this involve doing actually.

This involves downloading the driver package, decompressing it and picking out the PPD file.

> Does every user have to create an individual PPD file for each printer they own?

PPD files are specific to the printer model (or family). Of course, if two users own the same printer model, one of them can copy his PPD file for the other user.

> I own 2 main printers one a HP5M and the other a HP2500 Color Laserjet, so will
> I have to create 2 PPD files from a generic PPD file or what?

You shouldn't have to create any PPD file. Best way is to find the respective PPD files for your printers from HP's driver package(s). Have you read the Wikipedia article zukow linked to?

>> PPD file will be converted to iff format

> That sounds like any PPD file will convert the data sent to the NETPAR: (PRINTER:)
> device to IFF format

No, it sounds like the PPD file itself will be converted to an IFF file because zukow's printer system has been designed to use IFF files instead of PPD files.

> which is automatically interpreted by the printer itself, is this correct?

No, printers can't understand IFF data. The IFF file stores the configuration and is used by the printer system to create the data that can be interpreted by the printer.

> A better printing system has been one of the Achilles' heels of the Amiga systems

...or rather the lack of such ;-)

Can you say what is new in VPDF?

Hi!
Today my Epson EPL-6200 printer is arrived and I start installing all the files to print (following the instructions) and the ppd file.
No luck... I tried VPDF loading a small pdf file but when I start the printing I only had a full cpu usage, a blinking light on the printer (the Data received from usb cable) and the window showing a "printing page 1" message. After a minute (longer the file, longer the time elapsed) all went back to normal state, cpu relaxed and printer released an empty paper sheet. I tried postscript 2, 3 with the same result.
I only managed to print something using a text file with Multiview but printing was not that fine (cutted words on the right margin).

Have You used postscript ppd file from this: http://esupport.epson-europe.com/FileDetails.aspx?lng=en-GB&data=s7ZZ7XD4cY3iGLckHMH+zI9KHuZxo6bN&id=20304 install package?

Quote:

No I'm using a ppd file downloaded elsewhere version 1.0. I will try that but.. How to use a file .exe here on MorphOS...? =)

Quote:

It's self extracting archive. You can unpack it for example with xad:
XADUnFile epson20304eu.exe ram:

And as offtopic, if you have this kind of mimetype for global actions for files, you can try to browse any file you want:

Action
Name Open with XAD
Event Menu
Command INTERNAL loaduri "vfs:///%sp?type=xad" VIEWID %Si
Flag unquoted
End

Then you can just browse the exe and copy the files you want from it ;)

[ Edited by jPV 22.12.2013 - 12:13 ]

@JPV:
Thanks for the tip! I've tried with unrar and 7za without success...

Well I tried the new ppd file and now (for mysterious reasons not depending from that file I guess) nothing works anymore. The printer is recognised by MorphOS but there's no way to print anything. I tried the old ppd file but problem stay there. So I erased anything and installed again but the problem still occours. No way to print anything. If I try with VPDF Snoopium shows a failed attempt to open a "gsspool.device" and a "usb.parallel.device" which doesn't exist anywhere. If I try with MUltiview (which I was able to print text with) Snoopium shows a failed attempt to load "printer.device".
What am I going to try now?

> Snoopium shows a failed attempt to open a [...] "usb.parallel.device" which doesn't
> exist anywhere.

usbparallel.device doesn't exist as file but is created by Poseidon in memory.

Quote:

are You sure that You are using PRINTER: logical device and not PS:. gspool.device is used by gs-handler and PS: device. If your printer use usb, check poseidon prefs for adding usbparallel.device. If it's added to the system, you can try direct Postscript printing in VPDF (select USBPAR: as destination device in printing window)


[ Edited by zukow 24.12.2013 - 15:28 ]

Sorry guys, I forget to remember sometime... =D
Yes Andreas, usbparallel.device is a device created by printer.class inside Poseidon and I found there (where it was in the past, I remember...). And though I read the "docs" I forgot to change PS: in VPDF printer window. Now everything is ok and the printer is doing is work well.
Thanks Rzkool you did a good work and my MorphOS bench is almost complete (Scanner & Printer).
Have a great Holydays!!!

I see CUPS bounty and would donate next month.

Will it help to get HP LaserJet 1010 working on my SAM460ex once MOS is done for it?

ok, i have installed the whole package and changed the command line in printer settings. there is no hint or anything in the readme telling me about how to config the "printer" and the new "printers" settings.
I also copied the USBPAR: mountlist to DEVS:

Now when i try to print with this command nothing happens

copy direct MorphOS:Prefs/Wallpaper/1546184.jpg "Printer:ARGSFILE=fit-to-page FORMAT=image"

i also installed VPDF and when i want to print to "PRINTER:" nothing happens.

Also the new printer prefs seems to be broken. when i select the PPD file for my samsung nothing happens when i press "add"
After next reboot the settings are lost again. In the old printer settings i selected Laserjet4 as printer.

there is also no Icon in the morphos settings menu fpr the new printers entry, only text.

Click on the small 'file' icon, at the right hand side of the input box where it is labelled on the right as 'PPD file:' in basically the centre of the Printers prefs page, and select/enter/click on your PPD file for your Samsung printer to put it into the Printer Profiles list.

I agree some of the buttons don't seem to work correctly in the prefs options, but I use a HP 2500 CLJ and the PPD file for it, and it works really well with the Beta printing system by Zukow, which I would have hoped by now would have been integrated into MOS system, though I remain optimistic about it being completed soon. It really does work well - within the limitations of it being a Beta, but I have not had any crashes while using it, and it works with Pagestream, and VPDF without a hitch, once setup correctly, which are my two main document printing applications.

I know the instructions are a bit basic, and you have to install the Beta each time you update MOS, but it is a great advantage over the old TurboPrint printing system, which I always found very 'flaky', and often did not print from some applications.

Yes, the 'Printers' icon also seems to be missing, but you can select the option from the menu, but seeing as it is only a Beta release I think I can manage without the icon for the time being, as I'm just grateful the prinitng works as well as it does for now.

when i select the PPD file i cant put it into the profile list. nothing happens when i press on "add". after reboot the settings are lost again. do i have to enter device, unit etc? what about the other printer configs? do i have to select a printer there?

can i also use PPD files from Linux/x86?

Quote:
Do NOT click on 'ADD' - click on the small icon on the same line as 'PPD file' and a standard system requester will open for you to go to choose the correct Volume/Directory/Folder/File where you have your PPD file for you then to click on 'OK' in the requester to input the xxxx.PPD file into the 'PPD file' field which is what you are trying to do, but not following my instructions it seems.
Quote:
For now you do not need to enter any other information in the other fields as far as I am aware in the 'Printers' preferences area.
Quote:
No, your printing will run through the USBPAR: device - as long as you select or input that information in any printer 'device' input field, such as in APDF, VPDF and Pagestream's printer setup requester input window, and then the PPD file you chose/saved in the 'Printers' preferences field will be used.
Quote:
Yes, I initially got my PPD file via Adobe, and used the one I got there, and then I obtained the original one supplied by HP with the printer from the PPD file on the installation CD - both worked fine, and as far as I know the PPD file is as Universal as it can be for any OS, as it is basically a text interpreted file, and there is no 'machine' specific code in there to limit it in that way.

ok, i took a PPD file for my Samsung ML-2165 from the unified samsung drivers from linux. when i now send a file to the printer it will just make a click noise. nothing more.

So have you managed to input your PPD file into the PPD file list - WINDOW?

What program are you trying to use to print from?

Grab.jpg

It looks like this. Pressing buttons have no effect. After reboot its gone again.

[ Edited by Cego 17.09.2014 - 15:17 ]