Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!shadooby!ginosko!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!apple!apple.com!dowdy From: dowdy@apple.com (Tom Dowdy) Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.programmer Subject: Re: Thin lines on Laser Message-ID: <4700@internal.Apple.COM> Date: 12 Oct 89 17:12:00 GMT Sender: usenet@Apple.COM Organization: Apple Computer, Inc. Lines: 49 References:<847@chyde.uwasa.fi>, <89284.171455CXT105@PSUVM.BITNET> I've watched lots of interesting postings on peoples theories on how to make this work, but I haven't yet seen what I consider the best answer. In article ba0k+@andrew.cmu.edu (Brian Patrick Arnold) writes: > [ Recommends use of : ] > "SetLineWidth" described in Tech Note #175. This is a correct way to get thin lines from a LaserWriter. Note that this PicComment is only currently interpreted on the LaserWriter and you gain nothing on other printers. BUT: There is a way to get thin lines and device positioning from *all* printer drivers. This is to use the PrGeneral calls GetRslData and SetRsl, as documented in Tech Note 128. When you make these calls, your app is said to be "imaging at device resolution." This means that within your print record you will see the page expressed in terms of the resolution that you specified. This means that you can then place/draw objects within the coordinate space of the device, rather than the coordinate space of 72 dpi, which is what normally happens. The reason this approach is better is that owners of LaserWriter SCs, DeskWriters (and this is a growing number), ImageWriter LQs, and even lowly ImageWriters will be able to draw things to best possible output for their device. Everyone is happy! And you didn't have to write any PostScript, or mess with the Enlarge/Reduce box in the dialog, or even use PicComments. Please note that you do not need to use these calls if you application is simply trying to get "smooth looking circles" from the LaserWriter. The drivers take care of that for you. You only need to make this call if you need to draw lines at device resolution, or you need to be able to place dots or objects within the coordinate space of the device. If you'd like to make these calls, please refer to the Tech Note for information on when/how to call GetRslData and SetRsl. Those of you with Volume V of Inside Mac can also find the information there in the chapter on the Printing Manager, the information looks the same, although in general I tend check the Tech Notes first because they are updated more often. Tom Dowdy Internet: dowdy@apple.COM Apple Computer MS:27AJ UUCP: {sun,voder,amdahl,decwrl}!apple!dowdy 20525 Mariani Ave AppleLink: DOWDY1 Cupertino, CA 95014 "The 'Ooh-Ah' Bird is so called because it lays square eggs."