FMP6 won't print on Dot Matrix, but FMD will !!

[webcat]

Machines running Mac OSX 10.2.6

Hi,

We have been developing a large DB system using FileMaker Developer 6, it uses multiple Dot Matrix printers which I got to work perfectly by writing CUPS printer drivers.

everything was working wonderfully, until we come to install on a client machine running FileMaker Pro 6, and from this machine FileMaker Pro will NOT print to the locally connected USB Dot Matrix printers.

it doesn't actually send a job to the Print Center.

It WILL print to shared printers around the network.

I then installed Developer on the clients machine and tried to print on the local printers, and it worked.

So, is there some problem with Printing from FMP 6v04

?

This is seriously bad!! 8 months of development are at risk!

Any ideas?

[webcat]

update:

i tried printing from FMP to an Epson 760 directly via USB and this worked fine, I therefore conclude that FMP can't seem to send info to my CUPS Drivers?

anyone know how FMP sends out its printer information? is it a bitmap or a rastered image?

I'm clutching at straws here!! I don't understand how developer prints fine on the Dot Matrix printers and Pro just doesn't send a job to the printer - same printers, same mac!!!

AGHHH!!!

[webcat]

one small find with this ongoing problem is that a stand alone application built from FMD DOES print OK to the Dot matrix printers.

I have a small unconfirmed theory that this may be something to do with postscript output? Does anyone know exactly how FMP is trying to output files to the printer? is it expecting a postscript translator?

at the moment I am researching using unix to print direct from a shell script and also using Fink to translate a postscript file to something my printers can print... Still I have no idea if this is going to work or not!

surely someone must have an idea what the problem is??

any ideas? at all??

[AnneES]

I also have printing problems.

Using FMP6.4 & OSX 10.2

The database is a collection of 5 files. I first came across the problem last week

[kenneth2k1]

Hi:

I'll try to help

If it is just a problem on THAT computer, it may just be that specific printer driver on that computer. Did you ensure you have the correct driver and try re-installing it?

FM Developer is pretty much FMP with the Developer Tool, a DDR and some debug stuff. So if the versions are the same this is probably not your problem. You said the FMD version is FMP6, are there any other versions you have?

Also, are we just talking about manual prints here? Like File/Print?

Ken

[webcat]

Hi,

I have been assuming that FMD is the same as FMP with extras like the debugger, but I can assure you that it isn't!! there is definitely something different with the way FMP6.04 prints than FMD 6 prints, honestly, definitely!!

I have tried this from many macs, ensuring that other applications on the macs can print to the printers, they even work over the network as shared printers!

The files print perfectly from FMD6 and not at all from FMP - it doesn't actually send a job to the print center!

I have reinstalled, rebooted, started with clean databases, everything I can think of...

the only conclusion I can come to is that there is something odd about the way FMP (under OS X) talks to printers, perhaps it is something to do with Postscript interpreation? Who knows.

I can't change into OS 9 because the printer drivers I use rely on the OS X 10.2 CUPS interface.

I have asked Filemaker tech support and they are trying to figure this out as well, but in the mean time, I would gladly listen to anyone's theory on what the problem can be?

Can anyone replicate this problem? you will need an Epson LX300+ and OS 10.2 - I will send you my custom CUPS driver if you like, but it just an adaptation of the one already on your 10.2 installation.

I've spent about a week trying to get this to work now, and still nothing. My entire DB solution rests on this working!!

Any ideas?:???

[webcat]

Hi AnneES,

I think I know what your problem is,

I have an Epson 830 and an Epson 760 connected to my network, when printing from FileMaker (these inkjet printers work OK, it's the Dot Matrix printers that don't work) you do have to be careful about your page setup.

I have sent files to the 830 and experienced exactly your problem, the file goes to the print queue, then just stops and no matter of clicking start will make it work, the only option is to delete the job.

I tried a lot of things to get this to work, but in the end it was the Page Setup that was wrong. I would suggest getting the page up you want to print, then manually go to Page Setup and choose the correct printer and correct paper size etc.

Now print to the same printer, I bet it goes OK.

This could be linked to the error in FMP which loses its settings when trying to remember page layouts.

hence, it works initially and then stops working, especially if you have more than one printer on your system and you have printed somewhere else in the mean time.

hope this helps.

[webcat]

sorry, I forgot to answer your other questions.

I only have FMD6 (latest update) and FMP6 latest update. I was wondering if earlier versions of FMP (6.01, 6.02, 6.03 etc) would make any difference, but I can't test that unless anyone knows how to downgrade the version? My CD is v6.04

our DB solution is automatically printing and automatically choosing printer, but my test DB's are just a simple screen where I choose File/Print.

so both kinds of printing don't work. (from FMP6 under 10.2 on Dot Matrix Printers)

you're right, I don't think this is my fault - I can't think of anything else I can do to make it work - it just doesn't.

I have even tried an Applescript that calls a shell script (which works from the terminal)

do shell script "lpr test.txt"

even this doesn't work, but I don't know why! type this into the terminal and it sends the file to the printer, do it from FileMaker and you get an error message!

bleugh!

[kenneth2k1]

You didn't say whether or not you had tried reinstalling the print drivers on that computer

[AnneES]

Hi webcat

Thanks for your advice - it worked.

I don't understand why this happens with some dbases and not others. Also, once the problem arises it will not print field definitions or scripts either - not only layouts.

And it is irritating for those scripted print tasks if users have to pause to manually select page set up every time.

thanks for your help - I hope your problem is resolved quickly.

Anne

[webcat]

Hi,

right, sorry. I have reinstalled the drivers over and over.

no difference. No job is sent to the print center.

Just bought a book called CUPS: Common Unix Printing System by Michael Sweet, published by SAMS,

looks very good. by the end of the week I should be fluent in writing custom printer drivers!!!

However, this won't help me if there is some kind of fundamental error in FMP, which is hard to believe!!!

has anyone else had any experience with DM printers under OSX?:??

[webcat]

YIPEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

Problem solved (by myself)

I was right in one of my earlier posts, the problem is that FMP outputs Postscript files, like Appleworks, showing its history of early Mac type programs.

Obviously, FMD doesn't!

The solution is a bit of freeware called Ghostscript, which acts as a Postscript rasterizer for non postscript printers where there is no rip built into the driver.

!!

so, there you go. prick me, I'm done...

Phew!

Now I can get back on with the real work!