More KDEPrint “Goodies”

More KDEPrint “Goodies”

Benefitting all Print SubSystems.

Some specific features of KDEPrint depend on the chosen print subsystem. This dependency might exist because those features are only implemented there; remember, KDEPrint is an intermediate layer between KDE applications, and the print subsystem, but it's no replacement for any print subsystem by itself. Such dependency may exist for another reason: that KDEPrint has not yet implemented an interface to all the features of all the subsystems.

Other features include goodies from KDEPrint that are independent of the chosen print subsystem, and are available with every one. At present there are “special” or “virtual” printers, and some generic “pre-filters”.

Print Preview

From the Print Dialog, you can select to look at a preview. For this the print file is sent through filters which make it fit for display on screen by Kghostview.

Special Printers

Amongst these additional KDEPrint features are a few ‘special’ or ‘virtual’ printers:

These special printers may:

Print to PDF

Convert our document into a PDF with the help of an external program.

Print to email

Send your document as an email attached PDF file.

Print to PS file

Save your document as a PostScript® file.

Print to Fax

Send it through an available backend, such as Hylafax as a fax.

These ‘special’ printers appear in the user print dialog just like ‘normal’ printers. They are entirely configurable on a per-user basis.

Generic Pre-Filtering

KDEPrint provides you with a framework to define and configure your own ‘pre-filters’. These pre-filters may take effect before they are passed to your print subsystem for further processing, but after the (PostScript® or text or other) print files have been generated by your application.

There are a few useful filters already predefined. These are:

  • The ‘multiple pages per sheet’ filter,

  • the ‘enscript’ text filter,

  • and three filters to help print pamphlets.

You may create your own filters based on any third party program that is able to process PostScript®, text, or image files, and output any one of those formats.

Those filters are configured through XML files. This makes an extension of the concept very easy for experienced geeks, but end-user configuration is also done through an intuitive graphical user interface. So, fear not, you don't need to learn XML because of KDEPrint!.

Multiple Pages Per Sheet Filter

This is a predefined filter that installs with KDEPrint. It allows you to create a modified PostScript® output, from PostScript® input, that prints 1, 2, or 4 logical pages on a single sheet of physical paper.

Enscript Text Filter

This is a predefined filter that installs with KDEPrint. It allows you to create PostScript® output from any text file input, that includes syntax highlighting for program listings, pretty-print, and nice configurable page frames and headers.

Pamphlet Printing Filters

If your printer is able to produce duplex output, using either one-pass or two-pass technology, you may be able to use one or a combination of the “pamphlet” filters.

For duplexing printers, make sure to use the duplex option that “turns” the output along the short paper edge. Folding the output along the middle turns your document into a nice pamphlet.

If you are stuck to using a simplex-only device, you can do the same, using two different filters and a few additional steps.

Depending on your model, first use the filter for printing the “odd” pages, then insert the paper in the correct order back into the paper tray to get the even pages printed on the reverse side. Finish by folding.

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