Printing Scripts and Field Definitions

[Oldfogey]

Does anyone know how to change the left hand margin when printing Scripts and Field Definitions? I print both and file them in a ring binder. The holes wipe out some of the field names.

[dbruggmann]

You could try to print the definitions to postscript files, which then you can convert into graphic files (with Photoshop, Acrobat or Ghostscript).

Afterwards you can import these files in a layout program where you can resize them as you like.

[Oldfogey]

Not in WinDoze!

Besdies which, what a rigmarole!!

[Kundinger]

Hi Paul,

What OS/version and FMP/version are you using?

In MacOS-X & FMP-6... you can adjust all four page margins so that the scripts and field definitions with whatever size margins you'd like...

To create a custom page:

> File Menu > Page Setup

> Settings Menu > Custom Paper Size

> New Button

> Name the custom paper

> Enter paper size

> Enter margin sizes

> Save Button

> OK Button

To use the custom page:

> File Menu > Page Setup

> Paper Size > "YOUR" custom paper size

> OK Button

To Print using your custom paper:

> File Menu > Print

> Copies & Pages Menu > FileMaker Pro

> Print: Scripts Button

> Print Button -or- Preview Button

Hope this helps... Good Luck!

Bob Kundinger

[email protected]

[Oldfogey]

Thanks Bob. Why didn't I think of that?!?! I knew I'd feel like a berk if I put the question in. I use both Mac and Win and that should work on both.

[Kundinger]

Hi again Paul,

I hope it works fine. Post another reply to let us know the steps you went through to get them to print properly.

Bob Kundinger

[email protected]

[Oldfogey]

Sorry, Bob, that does not work in Windoze. I can specify margins in the application only, not in the printer setup. In fact my current driver (Lexmark Z56) won't even let me name the custom paper.

I tried specifiying slightly narrower paper than is in the printer - 200mm rather than 210mm. This gave me an extra 10mm of margin all right but on the RHS.

There must be a way!

[Kundinger]

Hello Paul,

Sorry to hear that my suggestions don't work. I don't have the same configuration you have (WinTel & LexMark) to test.

One suggestion... see if you can select a PDF writer utility as your print driver... set the margins and 'print' to PDF.

Another suggestion... copy the files to a Mac with OSX and then print your scripts and field definitions.

Yet, another suggestion... if you don't have these available, you could send me 'copies' of the files... I would print them to PDF and e-mail them back to you. Before you send them... you should 'prep' them first... no records & no layouts. That way you can maintain the 'integrity' of your solution & data security.

Let me know...

Bob Kundinger

[email protected]

[Oldfogey]

Hi Bob.

Thanks for the offer but I can do all that. I do have PDFfactory - couldn't live without it - but I print this stuff so frequently I need a straight through solution. Recently I designed a 10-file DB for a customer and, as they changed the specs, I re-printed the relevant scripts and field definitions. The whole lot fills a 5cm ring binder.

I might try to Mac option; it is just a little bit inconvenient.

Thanks anyway.

[Kundinger]

Paul,

It's unfortunate... you can't print things the way you'd like to.

Can you print to another printer... laser, PostScript, or another inkjet with more page setup options?

Can you 'print' to a PDF with margin settings, then send to your printer?

Other than these ideas, I'm not sure you will find a 'good' solution to your issue.

Good Luck!

Bob Kundinger

[email protected]

[LaRetta]

Hi Paul, hi Bob ...

Maybe I'm missing something here but Developer produces wonderful xml pages which can be page-formatted in any way desired. And drop the database on Analyzer and you've got everything you could possibly need about each db. It sounds like it might be worth the investment for you at this point. Just a thought ...

Another thing ... which is sorta the rigamarole you mentioned, is print to Windows generic text/only print driver, open in notepad, copy all and paste into just about anything (or paste into Word). You could even copy/paste into a global text container in FM. Not pretty, I admit, but cheaper than Developer.

LaRetta

[Vaughan]

Photocopy them.

[LaRetta]

Ah, Vaughan, that's much too simple. You always spoil the fun! I've spent three hours trying every export/import and combination of text/mer/dif functions possible that would give Paul a cheaper alternative than Developer. Photocopy, indeed! I've cheated that way on reports in the past myself but just didn't think of it!

LaRetta

[Kundinger]

Hello Laretta,

Basically, Paul is trying to print his field definitions and scripts to paper for documentation purposes.

That said... I concur, he could utilize a number of methods... including tools such as Analyzer.

Personally, I prefer to print to PDF. I've hardly printed anything to paper in over three years... everything is printed to PDF, stored on the HD and shared with clients electronically (as PDF).

Later...

Bob Kundinger

[email protected]

[Kundinger]

HI All,

I'm 'behind the times here'... people postin' while I'm writing my post.

Anyway... another idea... SCREENSHOTS (cmd-shft-3) or (prntscrn)... then print to dot-matrix by shifting the pin-feeders to the right... that should give Paul the margins he needs.

Bob

[Vaughan]

A lot depends on whether it's a postscript printer nor not (you do get what you pay for). There may be an option in the Print Setup to select "Letter (Small)" or something similar as the page size. The "small" doesn't mean the paper is smaller, but that the print area is smaller because the margins are bigger.