Multi trays printing

[Helge Blischke]

Anonymous wrote:
> 
> > Anonymous wrote:
> > >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > I am trying to print a PDF file to different trays on Xerox DocuTech 6135 printer. For example, I want the printer to use Tray1 for odd pages and Tray2 for even pages.
> > >
> > > Anyone know how to do this using cups in Unix?
> > >
> > > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > I don't know if the very latest version of DocuSP (the software that drives the printing engine)
> > already supports embedded PDF job tickets (I suppose no), but the versions I happen to deal with
> > don't. In case of PDF, the PDF gets internally converted to a PostScript stream which then
> > gets printed as usual.
> >
> > The only way I know of is to prepend a Xerox job ticket to the job, but I think the number of
> > page exceptions that can be defined is limited. Moreover, independent of the method used,
> > you cannot specify tray numbers for the DocuTech; you need to specify different media colors
> > and/or media types.
> >
> > The best way would be to convert the PDF to PS prior to printing (using pdftops from the xpdf suite)
> > and then setting up the media changes by specifying suitable /BeginPage PS procedures.
> > Feel free to ask me for advice if you are going this way.
> >
> > Helge
> >
> > --
> > Helge Blischke
> > Softwareentwicklung
> > SRZ Berlin | Firmengruppe besscom
> > http://www.srz.de
> 
> Thanks Helge for your response. But I still have some questions.
> 
> 1. How do you make the printer select different trays in PostScript?
> 2. If I have to convert to PS and modify the PS file, then if I have another printer, will the modified PS still do the job ?
> 
> Thanks in advance.
Ad 1:
The selection of media on a per page basis must be done like this:
	save userdict/pagesave 3 -1 roll put  % save the current context and graphics state
	<</MediaType (whatever needed for this page)	% define the media type as needed
	  /MediaColor (name of a color)			% define the media color as needed
	>> setpagedevice
	% the rest of the original page contents goes here
	userdict/pagesave get restore			% after the page is finished, restore the context

Make use of media type and/or color as needed, you need not specify both if one of them
is sufficient to specify the media.

Ad 2:
yes but use with caution. Most modern printers support media selection like this, but most 
printers (e.g. most HP printers) permit only a couple of predefined media types (about halt a dozen
usually). The DocuTech on the other hand permits aritrary names (which are case insensitive).
So you would need to use only the common section of names permitted by all printers you need
to use.

Helge

-- 
Helge Blischke
Softwareentwicklung
SRZ Berlin | Firmengruppe besscom
http://www.srz.de