TITLE
    Color LW 12/600 PS: Transparencies From UNIX Workstation
Article ID:
Created:
Modified: 		19231
1/18/96
2/4/99
TOPIC

    I have a Color LaserWriter 12/600 PS printer and only UNIX workstations on a TCP/IP LAN. How do I "tell" the printer to use transparent (OH-film) paper? Is this possible through PostScript code or a utility?

DISCUSSION

    The Color LaserWriter 12/600 PS automatically detects when you are printing on transparencies from the multipurpose tray, so you merely need to send a job to and print from that paper source.

    If your client does not allow convenient selection of that paper source, place your transparencies in the multipurpose tray, pull out the built-in paper cassette a few inches (you do not have to remove it), and the printer will default to printing on "paper" in the multipurpose tray.

    You do not need to send the Color LaserWriter 12/600 PS PostScript code to tell it you are printing to transparencies because it uses a photosensor to detect the presence of the special transparencies. The printer does this by looking for a reflection from the white rectangle at the leading edge of the transparency. When the white rectangle is detected the printer enters into transparency mode.

    When the Color LaserWriter 12/600 PS is in the transparency mode an extra transfer drum rotation is added to the end of the printing process during which the transfer drum and fuser rotational speed is cut in half to improve the toner fusing characteristics.

    Using Transparencies
    When using transparencies, make sure you:
    • Use only transparencies designed for use with the Color LaserWriter12/600 PS (Apple part number M3876G/A).
    • Insert Color LaserWriter transparencies as shown in the manual, other orientations may cause jams.
    • Print only from the multipurpose tray.

    PostScript Code
    To select the multipurpose tray with PostScript, include one of the following code segments with the print job.

    CAUTION: If you choose to use the PostScript code provided in this article, you assume all risks involved in making these changes. PostScript code, if not entered correctly, can place the LaserWriter into a condition requiring service.

    1) setpapertray is a PostScript Level 1 command that can be used on any PostScript printer:
    %======================================================
    % Begin PostScript Code
    %
    statusdict begin 1 setpapertray end
    %
    % End PostScript Code
    %======================================================

    2) currentpagedevice is PostScript Level 2 code that can only be used on a PostScript Level 2 printer. InputAttribute 1 is the multipurpose tray; 0 is the paper cassette; 2 is the optional universal cassette.
    %======================================================
    % Begin PostScript Code
    %
    currentpagedevice /InputAttributes get 1 get
    dup null eq
    { pop }
    { dup length 1 add dict copy
    dup /InputAttributes
    1 dict dup /Priority [1 0 2] put
    put setpagedevice
    } ifelse
    %
    % End PostScript Code
    %======================================================



    This article was published in the "Information Alley": Volume II, Issue 19, Page 11

Document Information
Product Area: Printers
Category: LaserWriters
Sub Category: Color LaserWriter 12/600 PS

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