Printing to Apple LaserWriter Supports Only PENMODE 8 (COPY) (32402)

SUMMARY

Only PENMODE 8 (COPY mode) is supported by the Apple LaserWriter when you output from a BASIC program using the WINDOW OUTPUT #n statement to send output to the "LPT1:" or "LPT1:PROMPT" device name. This is a limitation of the PostScript page description language used by the LaserWriter.

This information applies to Microsoft QuickBASIC Version 1.00, BASIC Compiler Version 1.00, and BASIC Interpreter Version 3.00 for the Apple Macintosh.

MORE INFORMATION

The PENMODE routine determines how subsequent ROM routine graphics calls will affect any images that are already on the output window. Only one of the eight modes, PENMODE 8 (COPY mode) is supported by the LaserWriter. This limitation is documented on Page 393 of the "Microsoft QuickBASIC for Apple Macintosh: BASIC Language Reference."

This is a limitation of the PostScript page description language that does the actual drawing within the LaserWriter. Your QuickDraw calls are translated into PostScript when they are sent to the LaserWriter.

All PENMODEs should work correctly on an Apple LaserWriter SC, since this printer uses QuickDraw, and not PostScript as its imaging language. All PENMODEs should also work on an Apple ImageWriter I, II, or LQ.

The eight PENMODEs (numbered 8 through 15) are documented on Page 394 of the "Microsoft QuickBASIC for Apple Macintosh: BASIC Language Reference." In PENMODE 11, which is Black-Is-Changed (BIC) mode, black pixels of the pen pattern change output window contents to white; white pixels of the pen pattern do not interact with the output window contents.