User`s guide

Appendix B:Device Driver Configuration
PShop User’s Guide - 45
Using PostScript Printer Description (PPD) Files with PShop
A PPD file contains sections of PostScript code that control particular features of
a PostScript printer. Each section is identified by a keyword and often options
associated with the keyword. For example, there may be the keyword
“*ManualFeed” that corresponds to the printer's manual feed feature. It may have
the options “True” and “False” to tell the printer whether or not to use manual
feed. There are usually other keywords that correspond to a printer’s offered
variations of resolution, page size, color settings, etc.
PShop parses PPD files and identifies their keywords, options, and associated
PostScript codes. You only need to tell PShop which options to activate, and
PShop will translate those options into codes that it sends to the printer.
Configuring an ID File for Using a PPD File
Some of PShop's ID files are pre-configured to use particular PPD files. If,
however, you are using an ID file that does not have a PPD file entry and you need
to access special features of the printer, you need to add your own PPD file entry.
PPD files are normally available for all PostScript printers, and they are also used
for certain options such as color controls for Ghostscript-driven printers like the
Stylus color (in stcolor.id) for color correction.
First, you need to obtain a PPD file for your printer from the printer
manufacturer. Copy it to a directory where users can access it easily, such as
$VV_HOME/id. The file must be readable by all users. Be sure to have already
set up your print queue from within ps_install, and look for the ID file
corresponding to your printer in the $VV_HOME/config directory.
For example, if you have installed the “Generic PostScript Printer” driver, your
ID file would be $VV_HOME/config/postscript.id. The contents will look like
the following if you have specified a PPD file:
# Printer configuration file for Vividata's
Vividrivers
# @(#)postscript.id 1.1 02/27/97
Name: Generic PostScript Printer
Scanner_port: none
Fax_port: none
Printer_port: parallel
Print_queue: ps
Device_driver: ps
DPI: 300