Converting Reports to PCL or Postscript Format for Printing from AS/400 output queue

From Support

The WinSpool Electronic Forms Print Server can handle sending PCL (HP LaserJet Printer Control Language) or Postscript print files files back to the AS/400 so the PCL can be converted for emailing (using the RJS PCL to PDF converter) or printing via an AS/400 attached HP LaserJet printer.

The following steps can be used with the WinSpool/400 Electronic Forms Print Server V1.0.14 and above to convert an electronic forms to PCL format and re-spool to the AS/400 for printing after processing.

1.) Create a new Windows printer driver using the same print driver as the HP LaserJet or other laser printer that is connected to the AS/400. (Example: HP LaserJet 4000). This will insure that the PCL data generated from the overlay process matches the data type expected by the AS/400 attached laser printer.

Select "Local printer attached to this computer. Uncheck "Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer".

2.) When creating the new printer driver settings in Windows, set up the driver to print to a "local port"

3.) Enter a port name of C:\WSPEFORM\WSPEFORM.AMU. This file is the temporary work file used by WinSpool Electronic Forms.

Note: This name is critical to the PCL option working correctly.

4. Select the print driver of the printer that is attached to your AS/400 output queue.

5.) In the WinSpool/400 Electronic Forms Print Server, set up the "Spool to Output Queue" settings to spool back to an output queue with a printer attached, and setup the "Windows Printer for HTML/FormDocs Printing" to print to the new print driver.

6.) In the "Edit Print Output Directory List" screen, set the output type to "PCL". If left blank, the output type will default to "PDF".

Note: This must be done or the print server will not set the correct PCL output extension in the "User Defined Data" for the new AS/400 spool file when it's created.