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Brother Laser Printer
Technical Reference Guide
HL-1050/1070/1250/1270N/1450/1470N
P2500/1660e/2060/2400C/2400Ce/3400CN/
1650/1670N/3260N/2460
First version August, 1999 Created for HL-1050/1070/1250/1270N/
1450/1470N/P2500/1660e/2060/2400C
Ver. A March, 2000 Revised for Addition of HL-2400Ce/3400CN
Ver. B March, 2001 Revised for Addition of HL-1650/1670N/3260N/2460
Ver. C October, 2001 Revised for Addition of HL-1450/1470N
Trademark acknowledgments
Brother is a registered trademark of Brother Industries Ltd.
PostScript is a registered trademark of Adobe Incorporated.
Epson is a registered trademark and FX-850 a trademark of Seiko Epson Corporation.
Hewlett Packard, HP, LaserJet and PCL are registered trademarks and LaserJet, HP-GL, and HP-GL/2 are
trademarks of Hewlett Packard Company.
IBM is a registered trademark and Proprinter XL is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.
Microsoft, MS-DOS and Windows are registered trademarks.
Intellifont is a registered trademark of Agfa Corporation.
TrueType is a trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.
All other brand and product names mentioned in this manual are registered trademarks or trademarks of respective
companies.
Compilation and Publication
Under the supervision of Brother Industries Ltd., this manual has been compiled and published, covering the latest
product's descriptions and specifications.
The contents of this manual and the specifications of this product are subjected to change without notice.
Brother reserves the right to make changes without notice in the specifications and materials contained herein and
shall not be responsible for any damages (including consequential) caused by reliance on the materials presented,
including but not limited to typographical and other errors relating to the publication.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
GLOSSARY
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
1. ABOUT THE MANUAL----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
2. AREAS OF USE------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4
CHAPTER 2 PCL
1. COMMAND LIST------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7
2. INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
3. CONTROLLING THE PRINTER ---------------------------------------------------------------------11
4. JOB CONTROL -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
5. USING FONTS-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------33
6. USING GRAPHICS--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------65
7. MACROS--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------85
8. STATUS READBACK ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------91
9. INDEX------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------99
CHAPTER 3 PCL5C
1. INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
2. COLOR MODES ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
3. COLOR PALLETS --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
4. COLOR GRAPHICS------------------------------------------------------------------------------------13
5. ENHANCE OUTPUT------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15
6. HP-GL/2---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------17
7. INDEX -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------19
CHAPTER 4 HP-GL/2 GRAPHICS LANGUAGE
1. COMMAND LIST------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4
2. INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
3. TERMINOLOGY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7
4. COMMAND SYNTAX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9
5. THE HP-GL GRAPHICS WINDOW -----------------------------------------------------------------10
6. PREPARING TO PRINT GRAPHIC IMAGES------------------------------------------------------11
7. COMMANDS---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12
8. INDEX -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------52
CHAPTER 5 PJL PRINTER JOB LANGUAGE
1. INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
2. HOW TO USE PJL -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
3. COMMAND GROUP ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
4. KERNEL COMMANDS---------------------------------------------------------------------------------10
5. JOB SEPARATION COMMANDS -------------------------------------------------------------------13
6. ENVIRONMENT COMMANDS------------------------------------------------------------------------15
7. STATUS READBACK COMMANDS ----------------------------------------------------------------30
8. DEVICE ATTENDANCE COMMANDS -------------------------------------------------------------45
9. INDEX------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------48
i
CHAPTER 6 EPSON FX-850
1. COMMAND LIST------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3
2. INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
3. EMULATION DETAILS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
4. TERMINOLOGY ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7
5. CONTROLLING THE PRINTER ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
6. COMMANDS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9
7. INDEX------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------30
CHAPTER 7 IBM PROPRINTER XL
1. COMMAND LIST------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3
2. INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
3. EMULATION DETAILS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
4. NOTATION USED IN THIS EMULATION DESCRIPTION--------------------------------------- 7
5. COMMANDS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
6. INDEX------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------21
CHAPTER 8 BARCODE CONTROL
1. INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3
2. PRINT BAR CODES OR EXPANDED CHARACTERS ----------------------------------------- 4
3. DEFINITION OF PARAMETERS---------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
4. EXAMPLE PROGRAM LISTINGS--------------------------------------------------------------------10
CHAPTER 9 HP-GL GRAPHICS LANGUAGE
1. COMMAND LIST------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3
2. INTRODUCTION ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4
3. COMMANDS ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
4. INDEX------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------27
APPENDIX A COMPARISON LIST
APPENDIX B FLASH/PCMCIA CARD COMMANDS
APPENDIX-C HBP MODE COMMANDS
APPENDIX D REFERENCE LIST OF MX-2000 SERIES UNIQUE
COMMANDS
ii
GLOSSARY
Absolute plotting A method of plotting in the HP-GL and HP-GL/2 graphics language where
coordinates are specified relative to the origin of the coordinate system currently in
use.
Anchor point The top left-hand corner of the PCL picture frame. You can position this on the
page using a PCL command.
Anisotropic scaling A form of image scaling using the SC command in HP-GL and HP-GL/2 mode in
which the user units can be of different sizes. Hence the entire graphics window
can be used to display the image.
ASCII The standard system for assigning number codes (0 ~ 255) to alphabetic, numeric
and control code characters.
Attribute A characteristic of a downloadable font or a character of a Downloadable font that
is represented by a number of a fixed length.
Bitmap font A font whose characters are defined as raster images. The characters that make
up a bitmap font are of a fixed size.
Bold A wider line thickness for typographical characters, used to make the text stand
out, for example, in headings.
Calling a macro A way of running a macro in which changes to the modified print environment are
not retained when the macro has finished running.
Cartridge A storage medium that you can insert into the printer cartridge slots. Cartridges
can store fonts. The advantage of using cartridges is that they allow you to use
more fonts without taking up printer memory space.
Cartridge font A font that is stored on a cartridge. These are widely available commercially.
Character cell The imaginary grid on which downloadable characters are designed.
Character code A number assigned to a character that uniquely identifies it.
Character descriptor A block of data that describes the characteristics of an individual character in a
downloadable font, such as its width and height.
Character set A selection of different characters. Characters sets normally include the alphabet
in both upper- and lowercase, the digits' 0-9, punctuation marks, common
mathematical symbols and a few other useful characters. There are also some
specialized character sets that are used for specific applications like mathematics.
A font is defined as having a particular character set.
Column A vertical sub-division of the page whose width is equal to the HMI (horizontal
motion index). The print position moves across the page one column width when
any single character is printed ( in a monospaced font), or when a space character
is printed ( in a proportionally spaced font). See also HMI.
iii
Control code An ASCII code that tells the computer to perform a particular function, such as a
carriage return.
Control panel reset A reset or factory reset performed using the printer control panel.
Cross-hatching A method of shading using perpendicular diagonal lines that cross one another.
Current units The current unit type in use in HP-GL and HP-GL/2 mode. Current units are either
user units or graphics units depending on whether an SC command has been used.
Cursor Although the printer does not have a cursor, it is sometimes easier to visualize the
printer's operation in terms of a cursor that can be moved from place to place on
the page.
Cursor position The current position of the imaginary cursor.
Decipoint A unit of measure equal to 1/720".
Default conditions A set of HP-GL and HP-GL/2 mode settings that you restore using the DF;
command. The default conditions are a subset of the initial settings.
Destination image The graphic image that is already in place on a page and to which the source image
is applied in the LaserJet series print model.
Dots A unit of measure equal to 1/600", the smallest increment that the cursor can
move.
Downloadable font A character font that can be downloaded from your computer to the printer. You
can either buy Downloadable fonts or create your own. A downloadable font
consists of a font descriptor block followed by a character code, character
descriptor block and the data for each character in the font.
Downloading The process of sending either a font, a macro or a graphic image from your
computer to the printer.
Effective window The area of the page on which HP-GL and HP-GL/2 output can appear. The
effective window is determined by the overlap of the logical page, the PCL picture
frame, the hard clip and the soft clip limits.
Emulation mode A mode of operation in which the printer imitates the functions of a different model.
Enabling a macro for overlay
A macro that is enabled for overlay runs as the final operation before each page is
printed, using the macro overlay environment printer settings.
Escape sequence The Esc character followed by a string of other characters that tell the printer
which operation to perform.
Factory default environment The collection of printer settings that have been made to the printer before it leaves
the factory. You can reset the printer to the factory settings either by using a
printer command or using the control panel.
Factory reset A reset in which LaserJet mode is made the current emulation mode and the
factory default environment is restored.
iv
Fill A shading applied to a shape that you have drawn.
Fixed spacing See monospacing.
Font A collection of characters that are designed to work in harmony together. A font
has several characteristics that identify it uniquely: character or symbol set,
spacing, pitch, height or point size, style, stroke weight and typeface. Fonts can
either be resident in the printer's ROM, installed on cartridge or downloaded from
your computer. You can either buy downloadable fonts commercially or create
your own. The word "font" is often wrongly used to mean "typeface". A font is
confined to a single height or point size whereas a typeface is not.
Font descriptor A block of data that is downloaded to the printer as the first part of a downloaded
font. The font descriptor describes the characteristics that are common to every
character in the font, such as stroke weight, and contains other relevant
information.
Graphics mode initial settings
The HP-GL and HP-GL/2 mode settings that are in effect when you enter HP-GL
and HP-GL/2 mode. You can restore the initial conditions using the IN; command.
Graphics units The default units of the HP-GL and HP-GL/2 coordinate system. Also sometimes
called plotter units.
Graphics window The area on the page in which HP-GL and HP-GL/2 graphic images can appear.
Initially this is the same as the picture frame, but you can change the size, position
and aspect ratio of the graphics window using the IW command.
Gray scale A degree of continuous shading ranging from 0%, white, to 100%, black.
Hard clip limits The area of the page on which it is physically possible to print using HP-GL and
HP-GL/2 graphics language commands. The hard clip limits are determined by the
size of the physical page and are equivalent to the LaserJet mode printable area.
Hatching A method of shading using parallel lines.
Height The height in typographic points (1/72" units) of an unaccented capital letter in a
font.
HMI Horizontal motion index. The horizontal distance that the print position moves
across the page when any single character is printed ( in a monospaced font ), or
when a space character is printed ( in a proportionally spaced font ). You can set
the HMI using printer commands, however, when you alter any font characteristic
( in effect, select a new font ) or switch between the primary and secondary fonts,
the HMI is reset to its default value based on the newly selected font.
Horizontal plot size The original horizontal size of an imported HP-GL and HP-GL/2 image.
Internal font A font that is stored in the printer ROM and is therefore always available for use,
for example, Brougham 10 pitch, or a font generated from a scalable typeface
stored in the printer's ROM, for example, Tennessee bold 15 pt.
v
Isotropic scaling A form of image scaling using the SC command in HP-GL or HP-GL/2 mode in
which the user units must be of equal size. Hence it may not be possible to use the
entire graphics window to display the image.
Justification The way in which text is aligned. For example, left justification involves aligning the
left end of every line of text.
Label A text string that forms part of an HP-GL and HP-GL/2 plot.
Landscape The orientation in which the top edge of the page is longer than the side edges.
Logical page The area of the physical page on which the cursor can be positioned in LaserJet
mode. You can use PCL commands to specify the position of the logical page on
the physical page. Also known as the PCL addressable area.
LSB i) The least significant byte of a set of data bytes.
ii) The least significant bit of a single byte of data.
Macro A sequence of PCL commands that can be stored in the printer memory. To run
the sequence you need only use a single PCL command.
Macro execution Executing a macro is a way of running a macro whereby any changes made to the
modified print environment by the macro are retained when macro execution has
been completed.
Macro overlay environment Used only by a macro that has been enabled for overlay. A combination of the
user default environment and the modified print environment.
Medium The line thickness of normal type.
Modified print environment The collection of all current LaserJet printer settings. This environment is saved if
you call a macro or enter HP-GL and HP-GL/2 mode, it is restored when the
macro has finished running or when you quit HP-GL or HP-GL/2 mode.
Monospacing Some bitmap fonts are printed with each character occupying the same space on a
line of text. This is known as monospacing.
MSB i) The most significant byte of a set of data bytes.
ii) The most significant bit of a single byte of data.
Pattern i) The hatching or cross-hatching that can be applied to an outline shape.
ii) The non-white areas of the source image in the LaserJet print model.
Pattern transparency The patterned ( non-white ) areas of the source image are either transparent, in
which case the destination image is visible through the white parts of the pattern, or
opaque, in which case the destination image is not visible at all throughout the
patterned areas of the source image.
PCL Printer Control Language. The language consisting of escape sequences that is
used to control the printer in LaserJet mode
PCL addressable area See logical page.
PCL picture frame See picture frame.
vi
Pen Although this printer is a laser printer the HP-GL/2 and HP-GL graphics languages
retains the notion of a pen and allows you to select between two pens, white and
black. You must select a pen before you can draw anything. The HP-GL and HP-
GL/2 language were originally developed for use with plotters and the terminology
remains.
Perforation skip A feature whereby the printer automatically compensates for a page break and
resumes printing from the top of the text area on the next page.
Permanent font A downloaded font that is retained when a printer reset is performed.
Permanent macro A macro stored in the printer that will not be erased if the printer is reset.
Physical page The paper or envelope on which the printer prints.
Picture frame The area of the physical page in which HP-GL and HP-GL/2 graphic images can
be printed.
Pitch The number of characters in one inch of text. Only applicable to monospaced
(fixed pitch fonts.)
Plot A drawing produced using the HP-GL and HP-GL/2 graphics language. So called
because the language was originally invented for use with plotters.
Plotter units See graphics units.
Point The standard unit of measurement for character height. Equal to 1/72".
Point factor scaling A form of image scaling using the SC command in HP-GL or HP-GL/2 mode in
which the user units and the location of the scaling point P1 are specified in terms
of graphics units.
Point size See height.
Polygon A shape consisting of one or more closed groups of connected lines.
Polygon buffer An area of printer memory in which you can store one or more polygons and sub-
polygons defined using HP-GL and HP-GL/2 commands. Some HP-GL and HP-
GL/2 commands use the polygon buffer automatically.
Portrait The orientation in which the side edges of the page are longer than the top edge.
Posture A component of a font's style - whether it is upright or italic.
Primary font In LaserJet mode the printer maintains two current font settings. The primary font
is the first of these.
Print model A way of describing the interaction between different graphic elements ( source
image, pattern and destination image ).
Printable area The area of the page on which the printer can print.
vii
Print position The position from which printing of the next character or graphic object will begin,
providing that no operations that change the print position are performed in the
interim.
viii
Proportional spacing Fonts intended for high quality typographic output use a method of character
spacing in which the space occupied by a single character on a line of text depends
on the individual design of the character. This is known as proportional spacing.
Scalable fonts are almost invariably proportionally spaced.
RAM Random Access Memory. The printer's memory in which fonts and macros can be
stored and where pages that are to be printed are composed.
Raster graphics A method of representing a graphic image as a series of zeroes and ones that
correspond to white and black dots respectively.
Relative plotting A method of plotting in the HP-GL and HP-GL/2 graphics language where
coordinates are specified relative to the point at which the last graphics command
terminated.
Reset When you reset the printer you restore a base set of conditions. A reset can either
be performed using the control panel or by sending the printer a reset command.
There are two types of reset, the normal reset and factory reset. A normal reset
simply restores the current emulation mode with the most recent control panel
settings -- it does not change the emulation mode itself. A factory reset makes
LaserJet mode the current emulation mode and restores the factory default
environment.
Resident font See internal font.
ROM Read Only Memory. Part of the printer's memory that contains the software
controlling the printer and the printer internal fonts. The ROM cannot be altered
unless the type of ROM fitted to the printer is Flash ROM, in which case it can be
written to electronically via the parallel port of the printer .
Row A horizontal sub-division of the page whose height is equal to the VMI (vertical
motion index). The print position moves down the page a distance equal to the row
height when a line feed is performed.
Sans serif A kind of typeface normally used for headlines. Sans serif typefaces do not have
little hooks (serifs) on the individual characters. This helps Sans serif headline text
stand out more prominently.
Scalable fonts A font for which you can specify the character size. The printer will automatically
scale the characters to the size you require.
Scaling In HP-GL or HP-GL/2 mode you can use the SC command to scale graphic
images. The three types of scaling are known as anisotropic, isotropic and point
factor scaling.
Scaling points Two imaginary points called P1 and P2 that define a rectangular area relative to the
picture frame. You can use the HP-GL or HP-GL/2 SC and IP or IR commands to
transform and scale images by changing the relationship between the two scaling
points.
Scalable typeface A typeface for which you can choose a point size (height) in order to obtain a
particular font for printing. For example, you might select the Utah typeface and
then select 14 pt. as the height. The printer has many resident typefaces. You can
also buy scalable typeface cartridge and disks.
ix
Secondary font In LaserJet mode the printer maintains two current font settings. The secondary
font is the second of these.
x
Serif A kind of typeface normally used for body text. Serif typefaces have little hooks
(serifs) on the individual characters that makes text more readable.
Soft clip limits See graphics window. The soft limits are determined by the IW command.
Source image The graphic image that is applied to the destination image in the LaserJet print
model. The interaction of the two images is determined by the current source and
pattern transparency settings.
Source transparency The source image is either transparent, in which case the destination image is
visible throughout the white parts of the source image, or opaque, in which case the
destination image is not visible at all through the source image.
Spacing The way in which a font's characters are arranged on a line of text. See
monospacing and proportional spacing.
Stick font The default HP-GL and HP-GL/2 font consisting of thin lined characters.
Stroke weight The thickness of the lines that comprise the characters in a particular font.
Medium, bold and light stroke weights are commonly used.
Sub-polygon A shape consisting of a closed group of points connected by lines. Several sub-
polygons can form one polygon.
Symbol set See character set.
Tab channel A set of up to sixteen vertical tab stops. Up to eight vertical tab channels can be
set up in the Epson FX-850 mode.
Temporary font A downloaded font that is erased from the printer's memory when a printer reset is
performed. To use the font again you must download it again.
Temporary macro A macro that is erased from the printer's memory when a reset is performed. If
you want to use the macro again you must redefine it and download it to the printer
again.
Text area The area of the physical page on which the printer can place text.
Text direction The orientation of printed text relative to the physical page.
TIFF Tagged Image File Format. A common file format used for storing raster graphics
data.
Transparency See pattern transparency and source transparency.
Typeface The design style of a set of typographic characters. The character design is
intended to make the characters work together cohesively to produce readable text.
The word "font" is often erroneously used to mean "typeface".
User default environment The current combination of LaserJet factory default settings and settings made
using the control panel. This is the environment that is in effect when you switch
on the printer in LaserJet mode or change to LaserJet emulation from another
emulation mode. You can reset the printer to its user default settings either by
using a printer command or using the control panel.
xi
User units Coordinate units specified by the user with the HP-GL and HP-GL/2 SC command.
Vector graphics A method of defining graphic images in terms of coordinates, points and lines. The
HP-GL and HP-GL/2 graphics languages use this method.
Vertical plot size The original vertical size of an imported HP-GL and HP-GL/2 image.
VMI Vertical motion index. The vertical distance that the print position moves down the
page when a line feed is performed. This can be set using printer commands or
with the printer's control panel by adjusting the "Lines" menu option in PAGE
FORMAT MODE.
xii
2001/10/02
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - 1
2001/10/02
CONTENTS
1. ABOUT THE MANUAL ............................................................................................................... 3
2. AREAS OF USE ........................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 Using Word Processing Packages and Spreadsheets .............................................................4
2.2 Graphics.....................................................................................................................................4
2.3 Programming .............................................................................................................................4
2.4 Font Development......................................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - 2
2001/10/02
1. ABOUT THE MANUAL
This technical reference manual is intended to help you get the most out of each of the emulation modes
supported by your HL-Series laser printer. It is divided into nine sections - this introductory section and one
section for each of the emulation modes. Each emulation mode section describes the software commands (the
escape sequences and control codes) that you can use to make the printer perform each of its available
functions. Some example programs are included to give you useful ideas.
This manual is for our PCL models. For the differences between each model, see the Appendix "Model
Comparison."
For basic set-up information, such as how to connect the printer to your computer, look in the User's guide.
The User's guide also describes the printers control panel and how you can set various options using the
keys.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - 3
2001/10/02
2. AREAS OF USE
There are several different applications for which you may want to use your HL-Series laser printer. Four
general areas are outlined in the following sections.
2.1 Using Word Processing Packages and Spreadsheets
You may simply wish to use the printer with your software application packages, such as word-processors or
spreadsheets. Many software packages automatically send commands to the printer requesting particular
type styles, character sizes and specifying page set-up information and other relevant data. In this case you
will not need to use this manual, as your software package will perform the task of controlling the printer for
you. Other packages allow you to embed software commands within your word-processed or spreadsheet
documents. This manual describes the commands you need, and you can simply include them in the form that
your package requires. In either case, read the documentation that came with your software to find out its own
specific requirements for driving a printer.
2.2 Graphics
HP-GL/2 or HP-GL mode offers many powerful graphic features that enable you to draw and print detailed
images quickly and easily. Many commercial graphic packages, notably computer-aided design applications
programs, produce HP-GL/2 or HP-GL output. LaserJet mode also has several graphics features. You can
either write your own programs to generate images or use existing graphics software.
2.3 Programming
If you are writing software, for example in BASIC or C, to drive the printer, the description and formal
specification of each command will enable you to transcribe them straight into your programs. Below is a
simple example of a program to draw and print a three inch black square. The program is given in both C and
BASIC.
C language program
#include
main()
{
FILE *prn; /* initialization section */
prn = fopen("PRN","wb");
fprintf(prn,"\33E"); /* Esc E - Reset the printer */
fprintf(prn,"\33%0B"); /* Esc%0B - Enter HP-GL/2 */
fprintf(prn,"IN"); /* Initialize */
fprintf(prn,"SP1PA1024,1024"); /* Select pen 1 & move to 0,0 */
fprintf(prn,"PDFT1RA4096,4096"); /* Draw 3" solid square */
fprintf(prn,"\33%0A"); /* Quit HP-GL/2 & restore original cursor
position */
fprintf(prn,"\33E /* Reset and eject page */
}
BASIC language program
10 LPRINT CHR$(27);"E"; :REM Esc E - Reset the printer
20 LPRINT CHR$(27);"%0B"; :REM Esc%0B - Enter HP-GL/2
30 LPRINT "IN"; :REM Initialize
40 LPRINT "SP1PA1024,1024"; :REM Select pen 1 & move to 0,0
50 LPRINT "PDFT1RA4096,4096"; :REM Draw 3" solid square
60 LPRINT CHR$(27);"%0A"; :REM Quit HP-GL/2 & restore original cursor
position
70 LPRINT CHR$(27);"E"; :REM Reset and eject page
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - 4
2001/10/02
2.4 Font Development
In LaserJet mode you can send your own character designs to an HL-Series laser printer and print text using
them. To do this you need first to design your characters on paper. Having done this you can then either
input and download your characters using a commercial software package, or encode your designs
numerically and write your own program to download them.
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - 5
2001/10/02
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION - 6
2001/10/02
CHAPTER 2
PCL
PRINTER CONTROL
LANGUAGE
CHAPTER 2 "PCL" - 1
2001/10/02
CONTENTS
1. COMMAND LIST ....................................................................................................................................7
2. INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 10
3. CONTROLLING THE PRINTER ...................................................................................................... 11
3.1. Control Codes ..................................................................................................................................11
3.1.1. Backspace (08) <08h> ................................................................................................................... 11
3.1.2. Line feed (10) <0Ah> ...................................................................................................................... 11
3.1.3. Form feed (12) <0Ch> .................................................................................................................... 11
3.1.4. Carriage return (13) <0Dh>.............................................................................................................. 11
3.1.5. Select primary font (14) <0Eh>........................................................................................................ 11
3.1.6. Select secondary font (15) <0Fh>.................................................................................................... 11
3.1.7. Escape (27) <1Bh> ........................................................................................................................ 11
3.1.8. Horizontal tab (09) <09h> .............................................................................................................. 11
3.1.9. Space (32) <20h> .......................................................................................................................... 11
3.2. Escape Sequences..........................................................................................................................12
3.2.1. Line termination ............................................................................................................................. 12
3.2.2. End-of-line wrap ............................................................................................................................. 12
3.2.3. Display functions mode .................................................................................................................. 13
3.3. Environments ...................................................................................................................................14
3.3.1. Factory default environment ............................................................................................................ 14
3.3.2. User default environment................................................................................................................. 14
3.3.3. Modified print environment............................................................................................................... 14
3.3.4. Macro overlay environment .............................................................................................................. 14
4. JOB CONTROL ................................................................................................................................... 15
4.1.1. Page size...................................................................................................................................... 15
4.1.2. Output tray .................................................................................................................................... 16
4.1.3. Paper source................................................................................................................................. 17
4.1.4. Left long-edge offset registration ...................................................................................................... 18
4.1.5. Top offset registration ..................................................................................................................... 19
4.1.6. Simplex/duplex printing (For HL-1660e/2060/3400CN) ....................................................................... 19
4.1.7. Paper side selection....................................................................................................................... 19
4.1.8. Job separation command................................................................................................................ 20
4.1.9. Reset............................................................................................................................................ 20
4.1.10. Reset to factory default settings .................................................................................................... 20
4.1.11. Reset to user settings .................................................................................................................. 20
4.1.12. Printer self test ............................................................................................................................ 20
4.1.13. Exit current emulation mode.......................................................................................................... 20
4.1.14. Change emulation mode ............................................................................................................... 21
4.2. The Page..........................................................................................................................................22
4.2.1. Physical page................................................................................................................................ 22
4.2.2. Printable area ................................................................................................................................ 22
4.2.3. Logical page.................................................................................................................................. 22
4.2.4. Text area....................................................................................................................................... 22
4.2.5. HP-GL/2 graphics window............................................................................................................... 22
4.2.6. Portrait page dimensions ................................................................................................................ 23
4.2.7. Landscape page dimensions ........................................................................................................... 24
4.2.8. Coordinates ................................................................................................................................... 25
CHAPTER 2 "PCL" - 2
2001/10/02
4.2.9. Units............................................................................................................................................. 25
4.2.10. Unit of measure............................................................................................................................ 25
4.2.11. Setting the left and right margins ................................................................................................... 25
4.2.12. Resetting the horizontal margins.................................................................................................... 26
4.2.13. Setting the top margin .................................................................................................................. 26
4.2.14. Setting the vertical motion index (VMI) ........................................................................................... 27
4.2.15. Setting the horizontal motion index (HMI) ....................................................................................... 27
4.2.16. Setting line spacing...................................................................................................................... 28
4.2.17. Text length .................................................................................................................................. 28
4.2.18. Page length................................................................................................................................. 29
4.2.19. Perforation skip............................................................................................................................ 29
4.2.20. Positioning the cursor................................................................................................................... 30
4.2.21. Vertical positioning....................................................................................................................... 30
4.2.22. Horizontal position........................................................................................................................ 31
4.2.23. Positioning the cursor using control codes...................................................................................... 32
4.2.24. Using the cursor position stack ..................................................................................................... 32
4.2.25. Half line feed................................................................................................................................ 33
4.2.26. Logical page orientation ................................................................................................................ 33
4.2.27. Text direction............................................................................................................................... 33
5. USING FONTS..................................................................................................................................... 35
5.1. Introduction.......................................................................................................................................35
5.1.1. Font types..................................................................................................................................... 35
5.1.2. Bitmap fonts.................................................................................................................................. 35
5.1.3. Scalable fonts................................................................................................................................ 35
5.1.4. Bound fonts................................................................................................................................... 36
5.1.5. Unbound fonts ............................................................................................................................... 36
5.1.6. Font sources ................................................................................................................................. 36
5.1.7. Internal fonts.................................................................................................................................. 36
5.1.8. Card/cartridge fonts........................................................................................................................ 36
5.1.9. Downloadable fonts ........................................................................................................................ 38
5.1.10. Primary and secondary fonts......................................................................................................... 38
5.1.11. Specifying the primary font ............................................................................................................ 38
5.1.12. Specifying the secondary font........................................................................................................ 38
5.1.13. Selecting the default fonts............................................................................................................. 38
5.1.14. Switching between the primary and secondary fonts........................................................................ 38
5.1.15. Criteria for font selection ............................................................................................................... 38
5.1.16. Symbol set .................................................................................................................................. 40
5.1.17. Symbol collections ....................................................................................................................... 40
5.1.18. Type of character spacing ............................................................................................................. 40
5.1.19. Pitch........................................................................................................................................... 40
5.1.20. Height ......................................................................................................................................... 40
5.1.21. Style........................................................................................................................................... 40
5.1.22. Stroke weight............................................................................................................................... 40
5.1.23. Typeface ..................................................................................................................................... 40
5.2. Font Selection Commands ..............................................................................................................41
5.2.1. User-defined symbol sets ............................................................................................................... 41
5.2.2. Symbol set ID code command ........................................................................................................ 41
5.2.3. Define symbol set .......................................................................................................................... 41
5.2.4. Symbol set control command.......................................................................................................... 43
5.2.5. Selecting the symbol set ................................................................................................................ 43
5.2.6. Selecting the type of character spacing............................................................................................ 45
5.2.7. Selecting the pitch......................................................................................................................... 45
5.2.8. Selecting the height ....................................................................................................................... 46
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5.2.9. Scaling the scalable fonts vertically or horizontally ............................................................................ 46
5.2.10. Selecting the style ....................................................................................................................... 46
5.2.11. Selecting the stroke weight ........................................................................................................... 47
5.2.12. Selecting the typeface.................................................................................................................. 47
5.2.13. Font orientation............................................................................................................................ 48
5.2.14. Transparent print data................................................................................................................... 48
5.2.15. Underlining text............................................................................................................................ 49
5.3. Downloadable font manipulation ......................................................................................................50
5.3.1. Font ID.......................................................................................................................................... 50
5.3.2. Operations on downloaded fonts...................................................................................................... 50
5.3.3. Selecting a downloaded font............................................................................................................ 50
5.4. Creating Downloadable Fonts..........................................................................................................51
5.4.1. Downloading.................................................................................................................................. 51
5.4.2. Sending the font descriptor ............................................................................................................. 51
5.4.3. Unicode symbol index character complement bits............................................................................. 63
5.4.4. Sending a character code ............................................................................................................... 64
5.4.5. Sending a character descriptor and data .......................................................................................... 64
6. USING GRAPHICS ............................................................................................................................. 70
6.1. Source, Pattern and Destination......................................................................................................70
6.1.1. Set source transparency................................................................................................................. 70
6.1.2. Set pattern transparency ................................................................................................................ 71
6.1.3. Set area fill identity ........................................................................................................................ 72
6.1.4. User-defined pattern command........................................................................................................ 73
6.1.5. Set pattern reference point .............................................................................................................. 73
6.1.6. User-defined pattern control ............................................................................................................ 74
6.1.7. Set pattern type............................................................................................................................. 74
6.2. Plotting Rectangles ..........................................................................................................................76
6.2.1. Cursor position .............................................................................................................................. 76
6.2.2. Set rectangle width ........................................................................................................................ 76
6.2.3. Set rectangle height ....................................................................................................................... 76
6.2.4. Draw filled rectangle ....................................................................................................................... 76
6.3. Raster Graphics...............................................................................................................................78
6.3.1. Positioning the cursor..................................................................................................................... 78
6.3.2. Set raster resolution....................................................................................................................... 78
6.3.3. Set high resolution control .............................................................................................................. 78
6.3.4. Set raster image orientation ............................................................................................................ 78
6.3.5. Set raster area height ..................................................................................................................... 80
6.3.6. Set raster area width...................................................................................................................... 80
6.3.7. Set raster y-offset .......................................................................................................................... 80
6.3.8. Set compression mode................................................................................................................... 80
6.3.9. Start raster transfer ........................................................................................................................ 86
6.3.10. Send raster data .......................................................................................................................... 86
6.3.11. Compress transfer graphics........................................................................................................... 86
6.3.12. End raster transfer........................................................................................................................ 86
6.3.13. Horizontal 1200-dpi image format mode (Raster Graphic Mode 1027) ................................................ 88
6.4. Vector Graphics ...............................................................................................................................91
6.4.1. Enter HP-GL/2 mode...................................................................................................................... 91
6.5. The Picture Frame...........................................................................................................................92
6.5.1. The default picture frame................................................................................................................. 92
6.5.2. Set picture frame anchor point......................................................................................................... 92
6.5.3. Set picture frame vertical size ......................................................................................................... 92
6.5.4. Set picture frame horizontal size ..................................................................................................... 92
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6.5.5. Specify vertical plot size................................................................................................................. 92
6.5.6. Specify horizontal plot size............................................................................................................. 92
7. MACROS .............................................................................................................................................. 93
7.1. The Purpose of a Macro......................................................................................