1 <!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC
"-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">
3 <!-- SECTION: Programming -->
5 <title>Developing Raster Printer Drivers
</title>
6 <meta name=
"keywords" content=
"Programming">
7 <meta name=
"creator" content=
"Mini-XML v2.6">
8 <style type=
"text/css"><!--
10 font-family: lucida grande, geneva, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;
13 H1, H2, H3, H4, H5, H6, P, TD, TH {
14 font-family: lucida grande, geneva, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;
18 font-family: monaco, courier, monospace;
23 font-family: monaco, courier, monospace;
41 border: dotted thin #999999;
46 PRE.command EM, PRE.example EM {
47 font-family: lucida grande, geneva, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;
51 font-family: monaco, courier, monospace;
62 border: solid thin #999999;
73 -moz-border-radius: 10px;
78 text-decoration: none;
81 A:link:hover, A:visited:hover, A:active {
82 text-decoration: underline;
89 TR.data, TD.data, TR.data TD {
92 border-bottom: solid 1pt #999999;
96 border-bottom: solid 1pt #999999;
103 border: solid thin #999999;
104 border-collapse: collapse;
120 border: solid thin #cccccc;
127 border-bottom: solid thin #999999;
136 caption-side: bottom;
160 border: thin solid black;
168 H2 SPAN.info, H3 SPAN.info, H4 SPAN.info {
174 border-bottom: solid 2pt #000000;
177 DIV.indent, TABLE.indent {
185 border-collapse: collapse;
188 TABLE.indent TD, TABLE.indent TH {
193 border-collapse: collapse;
201 border-bottom: solid thin #cccccc;
206 vertical-align: bottom;
215 border-bottom: solid thin #eeeeee;
220 TABLE.list TR:nth-child(even) {
224 TABLE.list TR:nth-child(odd) {
243 font-family: monaco, courier, monospace;
247 border: solid thin #999999;
248 border-collapse: collapse;
253 DIV.summary TABLE TD, DIV.summary TABLE TH {
254 border: solid thin #999999;
260 DIV.summary TABLE THEAD TH {
264 /* API documentation styles... */
271 div.body h3, div.body h4, div.body h5 {
272 margin-bottom: 0.5em;
275 .class, .enumeration, .function, .struct, .typedef, .union {
276 border-bottom: solid thin #999999;
283 code, p.code, pre, ul.code li {
284 font-family: monaco, courier, monospace;
287 ul.code, ul.contents, ul.subcontents {
288 list-style-type: none;
298 ul.contents li ul.code, ul.contents li ul.subcontents {
311 margin-bottom: 0.5em;
314 /* This is just for the HTML files generated with the framedhelp target */
317 border: solid thin black;
326 div.contents ul.contents {
329 div.contents ul.subcontents li {
337 <p>This document describes how to develop printer drivers for raster printers. Topics include:
<a href='#BASICS'
>printer driver basics
</a>,
<a href='#CREATE'
>creating new PPD files
</a>,
<a href='#FILTERS'
>using filters
</a>,
<a href='#COLOR'
>implementing color management
</a>,
<a href='#MACOSX'
>adding Mac OS X features
</a>, and
<a href='#DEPLOY'
>deploying your driver
</a>.
</p>
339 <div class='summary'
><table summary='General Information'
>
343 <td>Programming:
<a href='postscript-driver.html'
>Developing PostScript Printer Drivers
</a><br>
344 Programming:
<a href='api-filter.html'
>Filter and Backend Programming
</a><br>
345 Programming:
<a href='ppd-compiler.html'
>Introduction to the PPD Compiler
</a><br>
346 Programming:
<a href='api-raster.html'
>Raster API
</a><br>
347 References:
<a href='ref-ppdcfile.html'
>PPD Compiler Driver Information File Reference
</a><br>
348 Specifications:
<a href='spec-ppd.html'
>CUPS PPD Extensions
</a></td>
352 <h2 class=
"title">Contents
</h2>
353 <ul class=
"contents">
354 <ul class=
"subcontents">
355 <li><a href=
"#BASICS">Printer Driver Basics
</a></li>
356 <li><a href=
"#CREATING">Creating New PPD Files
</a></li>
357 <li><a href=
"#FILTERS">Using Filters
</a></li>
358 <li><a href=
"#COLOR">Implementing Color Management
</a></li>
359 <li><a href=
"#MACOSX">Adding Mac OS X Features
</a></li>
360 <li><a href=
"#DEPLOY">Deploying Your Driver
</a></li>
361 <h2 class='title'
><a name='BASICS'
>Printer Driver Basics
</a></h2>
363 <p>A CUPS raster printer driver consists of a PostScript Printer Description (PPD) file that describes the features and capabilities of the device, one or more
<em>filter
</em> programs that prepare print data for the device, and zero or more support files for color management, online help, and so forth. The PPD file includes references to all of the filters and support files used by the driver.
</p>
365 <p>Every time a user prints something the scheduler program,
<a href='man-cupsd.html'
>cupsd(
8)
</a>, determines the format of the print job and the programs required to convert that job into something the printer understands. CUPS includes filter programs for many common formats, for example to convert Portable Document Format (PDF) files into CUPS raster data.
<a href='#FIGURE_1'
>Figure
1</a> shows the data flow of a typical print job.
</p>
367 <div class='figure'
><table summary='Raster Filter Chain'
>
368 <caption>Figure
1:
<a name='FIGURE_1'
>Raster Filter Chain
</a></caption>
369 <tr><td><img src='/images/cups-raster-chain.png' width='
700' height='
150' alt='Raster Filter Chain'
></td></tr>
372 <p>The raster filter converts CUPS raster data into a format the printer understands, for example HP-PCL. CUPS includes several sample raster filters supporting standard page description languages (PDLs).
<a href='#TABLE_1'
>Table
1</a> shows the raster filters that are bundled with CUPS and the languages they support.
</p>
374 <div class='table'
><table summary='Standard CUPS Raster Filters'
>
375 <caption>Table
1:
<a name='TABLE_1'
>Standard CUPS Raster Filters
</a></caption>
377 <tr><th>Filter
</th><th>PDLs
</th><th>ppdc DriverType
</th><th>ppdc #include file
</th></tr>
380 <tr><td>rastertoepson
</td><td>ESC/P, ESC/P2
</td><td>epson
</td><td>epson.h
</td></tr>
381 <tr><td>rastertoescpx
</td><td>ESC/P, ESC/P2, EPSON Remote Mode
</td><td>escp
</td><td>escp.h
</td></tr>
382 <tr><td>rastertohp
</td><td>HP-PCL3, HP-PCL5
</td><td>hp
</td><td>hp.h
</td></tr>
383 <tr><td>rastertolabel
</td><td>CPCL, Dymo, EPL1, EPL2, Intellitech PCL, ZPL
</td><td>label
</td><td>label.h
</td></tr>
384 <tr><td>rastertopclx
</td><td>HP-RTL, HP-PCL3, HP-PCL3GUI, HP-PCL5, HP-PCL5c, HP-PCL5e
</td><td>pcl
</td><td>pcl.h
</td></tr>
388 <p>The optional port monitor handles interface-specific protocol or encoding issues. For example, some raster printers use the
1284.4 communications protocol.
</p>
390 <p>The backend handles communications with the printer, sending print data from the last filter to the printer and relaying back-channel data from the printer to the upstream filters. CUPS includes backend programs for common direct-connect interfaces and network protocols, and you can provide your own backend to support custom interfaces and protocols.
</p>
392 <p>The scheduler also supports a special
"command" file format for sending maintenance commands and status queries to a printer or printer driver. Command print jobs typically use a single command filter program defined in the PPD file to generate the appropriate printer commands and handle any responses from the printer.
<a href='#FIGURE_2'
>Figure
2</a> shows the data flow of a typical command job.
</p>
394 <div class='figure'
><table summary='Command Filter Chain'
>
395 <caption>Figure
2:
<a name='FIGURE_2'
>Command Filter Chain
</a></caption>
396 <tr><td><img src='/images/cups-command-chain.png' width='
575' height='
150' alt='Command Filter Chain'
></td></tr>
399 <p>Raster printer drivers must provide their own command filter.
</p>
402 <h2 class='title'
><a name='CREATING'
>Creating New PPD Files
</a></h2>
404 <p>We recommend using the CUPS PPD compiler,
<a href='man-ppdc.html'
>ppdc(
1)
</a>, to create new PPD files since it manages many of the tedious (and error-prone!) details of paper sizes and localization for you. It also allows you to easily support multiple devices from a single source file. For more information see the
"<a href='ppd-compiler.html'>Introduction to the PPD Compiler</a>" document.
<a href='#LISTING_1'
>Listing
1</a> shows a driver information file for several similar black-and-white HP-PCL5 laser printers.
</p>
406 <p class='example'
>Listing
1:
<a name='LISTING_1'
>"examples/laserjet-basic.drv"</a></p>
408 <pre class='example'
>
409 <I>// Include standard font and media definitions
</I>
410 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#_include'
>#include
</a> <font.defs
>
411 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#_include'
>#include
</a> <media.defs
>
413 <I>// Include HP-PCL driver definitions
</I>
414 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#_include'
>#include
</a> <pcl.h
>
416 <I>// Specify that this driver uses the HP-PCL driver...
</I>
417 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#DriverType'
>DriverType
</a> pcl
419 <I>// Specify the driver options via the model number...
</I>
420 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#ModelNumber'
>ModelNumber
</a> ($PCL_PAPER_SIZE $PCL_PJL $PCL_PJL_RESOLUTION)
422 <I>// List the fonts that are supported, in this case all standard fonts...
</I>
423 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Font'
>Font
</a> *
425 <I>// Manufacturer and driver version
</I>
426 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Manufacturer'
>Manufacturer
</a> "HP"
427 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Version'
>Version
</a> 1.0
429 <I>// Supported page sizes and their margins
</I>
430 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#HWMargins'
>HWMargins
</a> 18 12 18 12
431 *
<a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> Letter
432 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> Legal
433 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> Executive
434 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> Monarch
435 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> Statement
436 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> FanFoldGermanLegal
438 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#HWMargins'
>HWMargins
</a> 18 12.72 18 12.72
439 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> Env10
441 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#HWMargins'
>HWMargins
</a> 9.72 12 9.72 12
442 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> A4
443 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> A5
444 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> B5
445 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> EnvC5
446 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> EnvDL
447 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> EnvISOB5
448 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> Postcard
449 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#MediaSize'
>MediaSize
</a> DoublePostcard
451 <I>// Only black-and-white output with mode
3 compression...
</I>
452 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#ColorModel'
>ColorModel
</a> Gray k chunky
3
454 <I>// Supported resolutions
</I>
455 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Resolution'
>Resolution
</a> -
1 0 0 0 "300dpi/300 DPI"
456 *
<a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Resolution'
>Resolution
</a> -
8 0 0 0 "600dpi/600 DPI"
458 <I>// Supported input slots
</I>
459 *
<a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#InputSlot'
>InputSlot
</a> 7 "Auto/Automatic Selection"
460 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#InputSlot'
>InputSlot
</a> 2 "Manual/Tray 1 - Manual Feed"
461 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#InputSlot'
>InputSlot
</a> 4 "Upper/Tray 1"
462 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#InputSlot'
>InputSlot
</a> 1 "Lower/Tray 2"
463 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#InputSlot'
>InputSlot
</a> 5 "LargeCapacity/Tray 3"
465 <I>// Tray
3 is an option...
</I>
466 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Installable'
>Installable
</a> "OptionLargeCapacity/Tray 3 Installed"
467 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#UIConstraints'
>UIConstraints
</a> "*OptionLargeCapacity False *InputSlot LargeCapacity"
470 <I>// HP LaserJet
2100 Series
</I>
471 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Throughput'
>Throughput
</a> 10
472 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#ModelName'
>ModelName
</a> "LaserJet 2100 Series"
473 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#PCFileName'
>PCFileName
</a> "hpljt211.ppd"
477 <I>// LaserJet
2200 and
2300 series have duplexer option...
</I>
478 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Duplex'
>Duplex
</a> normal
479 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Installable'
>Installable
</a> "OptionDuplex/Duplexer Installed"
480 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#UIConstraints'
>UIConstraints
</a> "*OptionDuplex False *Duplex"
483 <I>// HP LaserJet
2200 Series
</I>
484 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Throughput'
>Throughput
</a> 19
485 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#ModelName'
>ModelName
</a> "LaserJet 2200 Series"
486 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#PCFileName'
>PCFileName
</a> "hpljt221.ppd"
490 <I>// HP LaserJet
2300 Series
</I>
491 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Throughput'
>Throughput
</a> 25
492 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#ModelName'
>ModelName
</a> "LaserJet 2300 Series"
493 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#PCFileName'
>PCFileName
</a> "hpljt231.ppd"
499 <h2 class='title'
><a name='FILTERS'
>Using Filters
</a></h2>
501 <p>The standard CUPS raster filters can be specified using the
502 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#DriverType'
><tt>DriverType
</tt></a> directive, for example:
</p>
504 <pre class='example'
>
505 <I>// Specify that this driver uses the HP-PCL driver...
</I>
506 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#DriverType'
>DriverType
</a> pcl
509 <p><a href='#TABLE_1'
>Table
1</a> shows the driver types for each of the standard CUPS raster filters. For drivers that do not use the standard raster filters, the
"custom" type is used with
<a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Filter'
><tt>Filter
</tt></a> directives:
</p>
511 <pre class='example'
>
512 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#DriverType'
>DriverType
</a> custom
513 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Filter'
>Filter
</a> application/vnd.cups-raster
100 /path/to/raster/filter
514 <a href='ref-ppdcfile.html#Filter'
>Filter
</a> application/vnd.cups-command
100 /path/to/command/filter
518 <h2 class='title'
><a name='COLOR'
>Implementing Color Management
</a></h2>
520 <p>Talk about ICC color profiles and sRGB as two best options.
</p>
523 <h2 class='title'
><a name='MACOSX'
>Adding Mac OS X Features
</a></h2>
525 <p>Talk about help books, icons, and PDEs.
</p>
528 <h2 class='title'
><a name='DEPLOY'
>Deploying Your Driver
</a></h2>
530 <p>Talk about install locations, etc.
</p>