PostScript to PCL Conversion

This function could be interesting for those, who need to generate reprints with forms and watermarks but can`t change the application from Postscript to PCL.

The trick is to convert first the print file using Ghostscript to PCL and then resend the job as PCL to the same queue. The disadvantage might be, that Ghostscript generates a graphic format, so the PCL file is not searchable or tiggerable at all. In that case the ELP commands need to be be linked to the queue, or are added at the beginning of the data stream like explained here.

Here is how to install:

1. Download the AGPL Ghostscript for your operating system, and install it. for example into the directory: c:\gs
   
   

2. Generate a file called gs.bat in the folder c:\ProgramData\WELP.

   Example: The files content is like this (changes to paths and program calls are certainly needed):

   @echo off
   cls
   echo Convert file from %1 to %1.pcl
   C:\gs\gs9.25\bin\gswin32c.exe -dNOPAUSE -dBATCH -sOutputFile=%1.pcl -q -sDEVICE=ljet4d -sPAPERSIZE=a4 %1
   echo Send the %1.pcl to the same queue as a new job
   copy /b %1.pcl \\%2\%3
   rem delete the temp. PCL file
   del /Q %1.pcl

    

3. Now setup the following convert.ini.

   Example:

   [Global]

   ; That ELP is not falling into the pass-through mode when PS files are detected

   BarcodesPostScript=ON

   
   

   [When a Postscript file is processed]

   ; If right at the beginning the PS command is found

   Search_Binary=%!PS-Adobe

   ; Call the external batch process to convert

   Call=#ELP_FORMS_PATH#gs.bat "#IN_ELP_FILENAME#" "#HOSTNAME#" "#PRINTERSHARENAME#";OFF

   ; and do not print at all

   NoPrinting=ON
   Exit=ON

    

4. Open the printer settings and rename the printer to a name with maximum 8 characters and no Blanks!
   Finally right click on the printer properties -> Share name and share the printer to exactly the same name.

   Example: Now the postscript file can be send to the queue, will be converted to PCL using the batch file, resend to the same queue in PCL format and then any ELP_COMMAND can be used in the queue named or GLOBAL sections:

   [ELP_Printer]

   ELP_Command=K2;C2F5000H6C1;

If several different actions need to take place, then there is a trick to anyhow pass over data stream related ELP commands in a complete "ini-File" inserted at the beginning of the PCL Data stream.

This inserted inifile must exist as a standard ASCII file e.g. in the workpath folder.

Lets name the file invoice.elp in the workpath folder.

Enhance the convert.ini like this, in order to pass over the command file names into the call command. Please add the lines to the proper section or generate the new section]