Creating a Font Group Definition

Resolving The Problem

This document provides instructions for printing operating system spooled files with different fonts when using Host Print Transform (HPT) to an HP LaserJet compatible printer. This is done by retrieving and modifying a Workstation Customization Table (WSCST) and adding or changing the Font Group Entry (FNTGRPE) tags.

Note: Examples in this document are using the HP PCL printer language.

This document was last updated on 24 October 2013.

Caution: These instructions are provided as is. Any assistance with editing the Workstation Customization Table must be done through a consulting agreement.

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Basic Steps for Creating and Using a Workstation Customization Object

The following are the basic steps for creating and using a modified workstation customization object or *WSCST object:

Step 1:	Retrieve the WSCST Source Code
Step 2:	Edit the WSCST Source Code
Step 3:	Create the *WSCST Object
Step 4:	Specify the *WSCST Object in the Printer Device, RMTOUTQ or Printer Session

Note: Regardless of the particular issues you are attempting to resolve, these steps must always be taken. This information is intended to provide a 'quick start' to creating a WSCST object for users who have at least some familiarity with creating them and with configuring printers.

Additional, in-depth details for creating a WSCST object can be found in the following document:

N1010140: Instructions for Modifying a Workstation Customizing Object (WSCST)

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Creating a Font Group Definition

The following are the tags that you need to change to add the add a new font group. Go down to the section where the :FNTGRPE tags are. If you want to create a new group, then copy a section as indicated below. If want to change only the font of an existing group, find the group entry, and change the FNTSTR parameter.

Copy a complete section with the following tags.

    :FNTGRPE
     MINFID  =
     MAXFID  =
     FNTSTR  =
     FNTEND  =
     FNTWTH  =

Copy to the line right before:

    :EFNTGRP.

This is the template that must be modified:

    :FNTGRPE
     MINFID  =
     MAXFID  =
     FNTSTR  =  (proportional or fixed font examples below)
     FNTEND  =  ''X
     FNTWTH  =  ''X.   (if using fix pitch fonts then
                        use this.  If proportional then
                        copy the whole section of an
                        existing font group.)

MINFID and MAXFID

The Minimum Font ID (MINFID) and Maximum Font ID (MAXFID) specify the range of fonts that are affected a particular Font Group Entry (FNTGRPE) tag.

Note: For more information on the MINFID and MAXFID parameters, refer to the section titled List of Default Font IDs Based on Font Range (sorted by Font Range) below.

FNTSTR

The Font String (FNTSTR) parameter specifies the font string, in hexadecimal, to select the desired font in the printer hardware.

FNTEND

The Font End (FNTEND) parameter is an optional parameter that specifies the font string, in hexadecimal, to end the font request. If no font string is needed to end the font request, then the FNTEND parameter must be set to ''X (null).

FNTWTH

The Font Width (FNTWTH) parameter is an optional parameter that specifies the individual character widths, in 1/1440-inch increments, for the font group range. If specified, this must be either a 256-byte or 512-byte hexadecimal value. If no font width data is defined, the FNTWTH parameter must be set to ''X (null).


Font Group Entry (FNTGRPE) Examples

This is an example for a 10 cpi font group 1 - 65:

Fntstr will print at 12 cpi using a mono spaced font.

    :FNTGRPE
     MINFID  =  1
     MAXFID  =  65
     FNTSTR  ='1B2873307031322E3068307330623054'X
     FNTEND  =  ''X
     FNTWTH  =  ''X.

A variation using VARIABLE spacing:

FNTSTR ='1B287331703676317330623431303154'X

Breakdown:
  1B2873  - prefix to setting font
 3170    - proportional spacing
 3676    - point size (6p)
 3173    - primary style: upright (solid)
 3062    - stroke weight: medium (book or text)
 3431303154 - typeface family: CG TIMES

FNTWTH =
                 /* -0-1-2-3-4-.....                    */
                    22ADAEA78F......                          /* 0- */

The FNTWTH is set up for each character for proportional or typographic fonts. This chart covers each code point. For example, x'01' has x'AD'. To calculate the width, convert x'AD' to decimal (173), then divide it into 1440s (173/1440). That is the font width of the x'01' character, if that were a character. Using proportional spacing might not be a good option because the fntwth calculations would be very difficult.

For additional information about specifying a PCL5 font string in the FNTSTR portion of the FNTGRPE tag, refer to the following Rochester Support Center knowledgebase document:

N1010138: Breakdown of HP PCL5 Font Strings

To create the WSCST object and implement it, perform Steps 3 and 4 (above).