Double-sided output

[CFisk]

I need to print double-sided. In other programs this can be done by first printing all odd pages, turning the paper over and feeding it through again while printing all even pages (last->first). How can this be done in FileMaker?

[BobWeaver]

It depends what your print layout is like. Are you printing a fixed number of records per page? If not, it could be very difficult.

In the simplest situation where the output is one record per page, you can do some scripting to find the odd records, sort and print them. Then, find the even records, sort them in descending order and print them.

As you add more variables, the solution will get correspondingly more complex.

The other option is to send your output to a PDF file (using PrintToPDF for example) and then do the actual printing with Acrobat reader.

[Vaughan]

Features like this are often part of the printer driver. IOW, nothing at all to do with FMP.

[BobWeaver]

I was just playing with the latest Postscript printer driver from Adobe--it's available for free download at:

http://www.adobe.com/products/printerdrivers/main.html

It has the capability to automatically print doublesided on non-duplexing printers. It works very well. It takes all the guesswork out of figuring out what order in which to print things and how to load the paper, by allowing you to specify how the paper goes into the printer (print side up or down) and how it comes out of the printer (ditto). It can also print in booklet form (as in newspapers and flyers etc.). I'm quite impressed.

Note that the Adobe driver is not the same as Apple's Laserwriter driver. However, they are similar and can both be used with any Postscript printer. They have slightly different features though. You can install them both on your computer, and then select whichever suits your current printing needs.

This is off the topic, but I prefer to use Adobe's driver when printing from Acrobat reader, because it seems to be more efficient with printer memory. With the Laserwriter driver, I often can't print a pdf document at all if it has a lot of fancy graphics, fonts or formatting.

BTW, after you create a new desktop printer, always do a Get Info on the desktop printer icon and crank up the memory allotment to avoid printing problems.

[CFisk]

Sending the output to a PDF file, and printing from Acrobat works great!!! Many thanks.

And thanks for the tip on the new Postcript printer driver from Adobe.

I have not been able to get the Postscript print drivers from Adobe to work with my HP Laserjet 4050, and so have been stuck with using Laserwriter. (The printer not show up in the Chooser when the AdobePS driver is chosen.) Is there a trick to this, or did I buy the wrong printer ... (hope not).

[BobWeaver]

What kind of connection does your printer have? Ethernet? USB?

If it's USB, the driver may not recognize it. I haven't played with USB printers yet.

[CFisk]

The printer is connected via USB. But I guess I could connect via Ethernet if that would make a difference.

[LiveOak]

I regularly use a 4050tn with an Adobe Postscript driver. The key here is the "n" which means the printer includes an HP Jet Direct ethernet network card. These can be kind of pricey additions at about $250.

-bd

[CFisk]

Thanks for the info. I would need the ethernet card, but perhaps it would be worth the price .... I'll wait and see how limited I really am with the Laserwriter 8 driver.

[BobWeaver]

Just ran across the answer tonight. The Adobe PS driver DOES support USB printers, but you have to set it up using the Desktop Printer Utility.