Windows PCL/PS Converter FAQs

Q: How do I select input file type?

A: In File…Properties select Input tab. Options are PostScript, PackBits Compressed PostScript, PCL5e, HP/GL-2, Auto Detect -Default PostScript, Auto Detect-Default PCL5e, and PDF. The PCL5e converter (LincJet) emulates an HP LaserJet 4 printer. It supports the core HP/GL-2 which is supported by this printer.

Q: Why can't I convert a file?

A: First, make sure you are licensed for the type of conversion you are doing, and that you have selected the correct input file type. The default input file type is PostScript, even if you have only installed the PCL converter.

For PostScript files, if you get several errors in fast succession, the file may contain binary data. Enable the switch for "Binary data in input file."

If all else fails, send the file to an appropriate (HP LJ4) printer to verify its validity. If the file is printed correctly, but does not convert correctly, then please e-mail it to us.

Q: Why is my output incorrect?

A: If the converted or viewed output does not look correct to you, first compare it to printer output. Check PostScript files on a PostScript Level 2 printer, and PCL5e on a HP LaserJet 4 printer. (LincJet emulates the LJ4.) If the converter or viewer output is different from the printed output, please e-mail us a copy of the source file and the bad output file. If possible, please fax the desired output to us as well.

Q: Does LincJet support HP-GL/2?

A: Yes, it supports HP-GL/2 as it is supported by the Hewlett Packard LaserJet 4 printer. HP-GL/2 consists of the HP-GL/2 kernel (core instructions for ALL HP peripherals) and various HP-GL/2 extensions (printer-specific instructions). 

Q: What is default page size?

A: The default page size is only used when pagesize is not specified in input file or when an unsupported pagesize is specified in input file. Fixed bitmap dimensions may be imposed on an output file, and override input file pagesize. Input file pagesize overrides default pagesize.

Q: How do I specify output file configuration?

Q: How long does it take to convert a file?

A: File conversion throughput is dependent upon several factors. These are, among other things, file size and complexity, CPU speed, available memory (especially with very large files) and the number of fonts you have installed (beyond the default font selection).

Q: Are there any restrictions on the conversion (size of file etc.)?

A: The main restriction would be the limitation of memory when converting an extremely large file (e. g. 500 to 4000 pages). Such a file would convert very slowly after most of the available memory had been tied up. Without memory limitations, the maximum size of a TIFF file is determined by the 32-bit TIFF tag for number of pages (2*e32 pages).

• How can I extract text from PCL files?
• How can I extract numeric data from PCL files?

Q: How can I extract text from PCL files?

A: EPFaxAPI provides the tools with which you can create an application which can extract information from an input file, and return information to the converter. The API function convertFileEx4() enables you to extract unformatted text information from a file. This information may be used to determine the disposition of a part of the input file. We do not provide sample code for any such OEM applications.

For example, many users extract fax number from the file, and use the fax number to send the fax. To create several output files from a single input file, one would extract data that distinguished the parts of the file to be separated, or data which indicated a break in the file, in order to create a multipage output file from a portion of the input. In this case, you can either make a single, multipage TIFF output file and then use the information to split it into separate files. Or you can make several single page TIFF output files, and then use the information to merge these files into the desired multipage output files.

Q: How can I extract numeric data from PCL files?

A: When the file is searched for numeric data without success, there may be a problem with drivers downloading characters with an offset from their actual ASCII value. The following example illustrates how you can accommodate this:

A PCL file's numeric data has an offset of 3. In order to search for or extract the number "2000/08/14" that appears at the beginning of the page, enter the string as "533323;247" ,i.e. add 3 to the ASCII value.

Q: What are the error codes for the PCL converter?

A: Controller Errors:

Q: What are the error codes for the non-Windows PostScript converters?

A: The following is a list of error codes that may be sent to the exit function when a PostScript error occurs in psii2fax. In general, an LPI function that follows the standard callin returns an integer value indicating success or failure. A value of 0 (SUCCESS) indicates a successful return. The following codes, referred symbolically, indicate errors of various types.

Visual Basic

• How can I call EPFaxCL from Visual Basic?

Q: How can I call EPFaxCL from Visual Basic?

A: To run EPFaxCL from VB, assuming epfaxcl.exe is in the directory shown:

Private Sub EPFRun(InFile, OutPath, OutFile, Options)

Dim Test As Variant

Test = Shell("c:\lincoln\bin\epfaxcl.exe -d" & InFile & " -e" & OutPath & OutFile & " " & Options, vbMinimizedNoFocus)

End Sub