Print to a file

[jpor]

Currently have a situation where the company I work for is cutting down on paper and especially print outs.

Looked in to setting up a print to text driver in Win 98/2000 & XP but the file gets saved locally to a PC. Where as I need to be able to save the file automatically on a network share, where the user only has to type a file name.

Does anybody know how I can do this ?

Already looked on the MS KB and have not found what I'm looking for.


ANy software out there that can accomplish this. NOte: the software we use at the moment to print out is hardcoded to print to a printer via the windows printer driver.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Claudek]

Why would you wish to print out to a file? If you do not wish a hardcopy and just a softcopy, you already have a softcopy in your actual data files. You do not need to print them to another file on your server, which would be redundant and take up space on your servers as well. If you are talking about attachments from emails etc, these too can be saved as document files and need to be set to print to a another file. Perhaps am missing something here though.

Claudius (What certifications??)

http://www.iteq.com.au

 

[jpor]

Claudek.

The idea is to print directly to a file rather than to a printer. Problem being the user at the end who is doing the printing. Basically need something that I can set a path to automatically so the user only needs to type in the filename. Oh, and the printer/software needs to be installed on a Win2K server that can be shared by all.
Currently come across a piece of software called: 'pdf995' which basically allows me to do this. Just waiting back on the install on a server and share answer.

 

[GlenJohnson]

Have you tried a batch file in the startup or scripting.

net use //server/foldername and have them print to this folder on the server?

I had to do this to allow old dos programs to print using a new server once we got rid of novell.

Glen A. Johnson
Johnson Computer Consulting
MCP W2K
glen@johnsoncomputers.us

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

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[AtlantaTerry]

I think if you print to a file part of what is there is the behind the sceens code for your printer.

So if someone later sends it to their printer it would need to be the same brand and model so it will accept the formatting codes.

Or am I wrong?

I do know Windows will allow you to create a "Printer" that is really Print To File. Go to Control Panel | Printers | Add A Printer | (Local or Network) / FILE: [Print to File].

Terry Thomas
PC Tech Support
Atlanta, Georgia USA

 

[John Lewis]

I'll vote for the pdf995 solution. Been using it for a while -- cheap, mostly reliable (although not 100% - print a few of the pdf's now and then to make sure all is well), and did I mention cheap?

Much better than printing to a file through a generic text driver, as you lose all formatting with that method.

 

[GlenJohnson]

Adobe writers would work also. Don't know the cost, but you basically print to a file, and then can print to a printer if you want. Don't know why I didn't think of it in the first place.

Glen A. Johnson
Johnson Computer Consulting
MCP W2K
glen@johnsoncomputers.us

http://www.johnsoncomputers.us

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

"Once the game is over, the king and the pawn return to the same box."

 

[jpor]

Thanks Guys.

Just had a response back from pdf995 regarding setting this up. Looks as though we may be taking this option.

 

[jpor]

mhkwood. How have you got your pdf995 set up ?
Currently enquired with pdf995 for a 150 user license but looking into sharing the printer driver via the 2k server.
Got some instructions back from pdf995 regarding the sharing but found that some of the stuff they refer to we do not possess.

 

[GlenJohnson]

I'll have to check into pdf995. If it is all it says it is, I'll be using it. Good luck.

Glen A. Johnson
Johnson Computer Consulting
MCP W2K
glen@johnsoncomputers.us

http://www.johnsoncomputers.us

Want to get great answers to your Tek-Tips questions? Have a look at FAQ219-2884

"Once the game is over, the king and the pawn return to the same box."

 

[John Lewis]

jpor -- missed your post earlier, sorry.

We only have about 30 users, and I have the pdf995 installed on each machine. I find it processes a little faster than using a shared print driver. Currently, I have the printing dialog handled internally within the software, but previously we had it set up to require the user to type the name of the document as you have stated. You can control the directory by placing 'Fixed Dir=c:\myfolder' in the Parameters section of the pdf995.ini.

GlenJohnson -- use the free version for a while. Pops up a few ads every time you print, but not really that annoying. I think you'll like it.

 

[jpor]

Thanks mhkwood. The NT administrator here was looking at centralising the printer for easy administration.