ITX 3000/2000 Printer User Manual
(UMITX315.PDF
)
Page 9 of 82 Date: 4/27/05
2.3
Choosing FGL Emulation or Raster Graphics Mode
Depending on the firmware installed, PA ticket printers can operate one of in two modes: FGL Emulation or Raster
Graphic mode. In general, new Windows applications should use the Raster Graphic mode, which relies on the Windows GDI
(Graphic Data Interface) process to create the print information. This provides the most font flexibility and best graphic
rendering.
FGL mode relies on the internal printer fonts and barcode generators to create the ticket. FGL uses a wide range of
ASCII printer commands to select the fonts and enable the other features. PA also offers an FGL Windows Printer Driver,
however, its intended use is primarily for backward compatibility with legacy ETX 2000 applications that were operating with
its FGL Windows driver. The FGL Windows driver, when the host application selects and only uses the printer internal fonts
can be very efficient and responsive. However, in application circumstances where Windows WYSIWYG printing is the goal,
the printer’s FGL firmware and the FGL Windows Driver are a less efficient combination of resources than the “G” firmware
and its Windows driver.
Here are some reasons that might direct you to use the FGL Emulation mode:
-1- When using a command based operating system such as DOS or Unix.
(Without the available resources, of a
graphical operating system, such as Windows, programmatic creation the printer raster graphical information can be very challenging).
-2- When using the Serial (RS-232) Interface
(only supported by the FGL printer).
-3- If your Ticketing Application specifies an FGL printer (ex: ETX or ITX).
Consult your ticketing software vendor for their
recommendation of the printer model to be used.
In most other Windows situations, the Raster Graphic mode is preferred. You should order the ITX printer with the ‘G’
suffix (ex: ITX-2003G). If you have purchased the incorrect model, it is possible to download the correct firmware into the
printer.
Refer to section 16 for information regarding the correct printer driver for your application.
2.3.1
Programmer’s Notes:
The choice of which printer mode to use can be based on many factors, as outlined above. However, the fundamental
choice for the programmer is the location of the programmer’s drawing surface. For FGL emulation it is within the printer and
manipulated using printer commands sent over the interface. For the Raster Graphic mode, the ticket is created using Windows
programming methods, and drawn by the Windows GDI process. The printer commands are abstracted from the programmer by
the Windows Printer Driver, which sends them directly to the printer. The GDI process treats everything as graphic objects,
including fonts. The rendering process yields a large amount of printer data, but the Raster firmware is optimized to process
this data very efficiently.
When using PA’s V2.0x Windows Printer Drivers all of the advanced spooler and status features are supported by both
modes (FGL or “G”).
2.3.2
Managing Barcodes
One of the best features of FGL printers is the ability to create barcodes, automatically, using ASCII printer
commands. The most common use of this is from a command line based OS such as DOS or UNIX. Some FGL-based
applications can create FGL barcodes, in a Windows environment, by sending the printer command strings, as text, formatted in
a printer font. This process is outside the Windows WYSIWYG process and thus can be difficult for some programmers to
integrate with other Windows-based fonts and graphics.
For Raster Graphic printers, several vendors have created DLL utilities that will generate a graphic image of the
barcode, which can be placed on the ticket the same way as any other image. This can be advantageous to the programmer who
needs the creative flexibility provided by Windows environment. This method also allows designers to include proprietary
barcode symbols, which may not be included in the FGL palette.
For example, this vendor provides the Windows tools needed to create 2-D barcodes (PDF-417):
http://www.bizfonts.com/pdf417/
Other vendors provide similar tools for a variety of barcodes.
2.3.3