NAME

pcltrans − translate a Starbase bitmap file into PCL raster graphics format. 

SYNOPSIS

pcltrans [ options ] <file>

DESCRIPTION

The command pcltrans translates bitmap (raster graphics) data from Starbase bitmap file (4) format into Printer Command Language (PCL) raster graphics format. 

If input is redirected through a pipe a temporary file will be created for use by the internal pcltrans formatter. 

Note that output is a series of PCL commands which consist of binary data and escape sequences.  Since output is to standard out, pcltrans should be used as a filter with output redirected to a file or to some other process such as the LP spooler. 

Unless modified by options, the output includes PCL commands to set printer resolution, begin raster graphics mode, transfer raster graphics by rows, end raster graphics mode, and the final byte of output is a form feed.  RGB pixels are converted to shades of gray based on their intensity values.  If pixels are not expanded, the output is left to right across the long dimension of the paper, and resolution is 300 dots per inch. 

When PCL imaging functionality is invoked (via the −C or −I option), the image is rendered using ordered dither and a gamma correction value of 0.8 (This is the default rendering algorithm.).  The output is from left to right across the long dimension of the paper. The −I option is used with printers having built-in imaging functionality.  ("-I" option invokes the PCL imaging formatter.)  The −C option can be used with printers having built-in  imaging, or with printers that do not have built-in imaging.  (See the introduction and comparison section of the Starbase Device Drivers Library.) 

WARNING: If a PCL file that contains imaging commands is sent to a PCL device that does not understand this functionality, the output will be incorrect. 

The following options are recognized by pcltrans:

Imaging Option:

−C Each pixel is converted to the appropriate output color value using an error diffusion algorithm. This option also changes the effect of the −c option.  Not all PCL printers support color mode.  The −a option overrides the default algorithm. 

−I The output image is scaled for the best fit on the size of media loaded in the device.  If the output device has color capabilities, the image is in color by default. The data is left in RGB format and the output device prints the output in color.  The output device renders the image at its highest possible resolution, and the output image is scaled for the best fit on the size of media loaded into the output device. 

Rendering Options:

−an Render algorithm desired.  Valid only in conjunction with the −C or −I option.  The possible values of n are:

0 = no algorithm applied
1 = snap to printer PRIMARIES (same as the −c −C option)
2 = snap black to white and all other colors to black (can use for text screen dumps)
3 = color ordered dither (default)
4 = color error diffusion (same as the −C option)
5 = monochrome ordered dither
6 = monochrome error diffusion

−c Each pixel with a nonzero RGB value is converted to black.  Default is conversion to the nearest available shade of gray.  This option has a different effect if the −C option is also used (yields PRIMARY).  The −a option overrides this option. 

−c −C
Each pixel is converted to the nearest PRIMARY color (red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow, white, or black). (This option is the same as the −a1 option.) 

Positioning Options:

−R Output print orientation is left to right across the width of the paper (analogous to portrait mode on the LaserJet printer).  Default is left to right across the length of the paper (landscape mode).  Raster rotation is performed by pcltrans rather than changing printer modes. 

−s Raster graphics is started at the current printer cursor position.  The first command in the output is <esc>*t#R (to set graphics resolution), (<esc> is the escape character, ASCII 0x027) followed by <esc>*r1A (to start raster graphics).  Next follow individual rows of raster data prefixed with <esc>*b#W[raster data] (to transfer raster graphics), and the last command in the output is <esc>*rB (to terminate raster graphics).  The last byte, which is a form-feed, is suppressed. 

−xinches
Destination image offset, x inches from the left boundary.  Valid only in conjunction with the −C or −I option. 

−yinches
Destination image offset y inches from the top boundary.  Valid only in conjunction with the −C or −I option. 

Sizing Options:

−dinches
Width of the destination image in inches.  Valid only in conjunction with the −C or −I option. 

−eexp
Pixel expansion - indicates the expansion for each pixel in the bitmap and ranges from 1 to 8.  For example, to expand from a single pixel to a 4x4 cell, the expansion parameter is set to 4.  Default is 1.

−hinches
Height of the destination image in inches.  Valid only in conjunction with the −C or −I option. 

−llength
Length of the paper in inches.  Default is 10.5 inches.

−P The output image is scaled for the best fit on the size of media loaded in the device.  Valid only in conjunction with the −C option. 

−rdots/inch
Printer resolution specifed in dots per inch.  Ignored when using −C or −I option. 

−wwidth
Width of paper in inches.  Default is 8.0 inches.

Background/Foreground Options:

−bbcol
Background color table index for printing a single plane.  Default is 0. This option only has effect when printing a single plane as specified with the −p option. 

−ffcol
Foreground color table index for printing a single plane.  Default is 1. This option only has effect when printing a single plane as specified with the −p option. 

−k Don’t print the background color.  Default is to print the background color. 

Image Reproduction Options:

−gvalue
Gamma correction value to apply to the image.  Accepted values may range between 0.0 and 2.0. This is valid only in conjunction with the −C or −I option. 

−Kkmem
Amount of memory in kilobytes dedicated to processing the image.  Processing time decreases as dedicated memory size increases. However, if the user specifies a larger amount of memory than is available, the processing will actually be slower due to virtual memory activity.  This is only valid in conjunction with the −C or −I option. 

−pplane
Bitmap plane to be printed when only a single plane is to be printed. Default is to print a full depth bitmap.  If the plane specified in this option is a non-negative number and is not contained in the bitmap file, the pcltrans formatter will exit with error.  If the plane specified in this option is negative the formatter will default to all planes. 

−q Presentation mode quality.  A higher quality available on the ink jet technology printers.  Valid only in conjunction with the −I option. 

−T Print on transparency film.  Valid only in conjunction with the −I option. 

−zopt
Scale algorithm to apply to the image, only if the destination image is smaller than the source in pixels.  Valid only in conjunction with the −C or −I option.  The possible values of opt are:

0 = algorithm to apply to an image with a light background
1 = algorithm to apply to an image with a dark background

EXAMPLES

A typical case is formatting a file for output at 150 dots per inch resolution to a LaserJet Plus printer.  The desired plot orientation is left to right across the width of the page.  The output in this example is then piped to lp in raw mode so that no processing of the data is performed by lp. 

pcltrans -r150 -R myfile | lp -oraw

Another typical example is to format a file to print with imaging capabilities invoked, color error diffusion, a gamma correction value of 0.6, with presentation mode, and piped to the LP spooler. 

pcltrans -I -a4 -g0.6 -q myfile | lp -oraw

SEE ALSO

HP-UX Reference: lp(1M). 
Starbase Reference: bitmap_to_file(3G), bitmapfile(4), screenpr(1). 
Starbase Device Drivers Library, "PCL Formatter", "PCL Imaging Formatter. 
Starbase Graphics Techniques, "Storing and Printing Images". 

Hewlett-Packard Company  —  HP-UX Release 9.03: April 1994