Printer Control Codes Tutorial

Printer control codes are also known as escape sequences.  They are used to control the printer's output.  For example, to change a printer's type face to 15 cpi the controlling software would have to send an 'escape 15' prior to the line of output.  This change would remain in effect until another code sequence is sent.

By default, FM2 is loaded with Epson, IBM Proprinter and HPIII compatible control sequences.  Virtually every printer on the market supports these configurations.  The Canon bubble-jets (ie: BJC-250) is one which recognizes the Epson code sets as default.

Setting up FM2 to use a new unlisted printer is very simple.  You are prompted as to which printer your new addition is most like (HPLJ, Epson, IBM) and the name you wish to refer to it as.  After the intial driver is created, it is up to you to customize it if you wish.

To change the standard 10 cpi portrait to print italic one would make the following changes to the Std 10 cpi field:

CODES ARE CASE SENSITIVE

~E~(8U~(s0p10.00h12.0v1s0b3T

To disable the italic type face:

~E~(10U~(s0p10.00h12.0v1s0b3T

"Where do I find these codes?..."

Printer codes can be obtained from several sources.  These include the manufacturer of the printer, the manuals included with your printer or from any technical reference on the web.  Lakesoft has a small utility called The Printer Transmitter which is nothing more than a database containing the most popular printers and their corresponding codes.

The Printer Transmitter

This utility allows one to test or try each code on the printer prior to installing it in FM2.

Translating The Printer Transmitter codes to work in FM2

Its concept is the same as FM2's printer setup except that it uses the 'CHR(nn)' style of designation.  The chr(27) is considered the Escape or ~ (tilde) and each string immediately following the escape must be started with a + (plus) sign and opening/closing "  " marks.  See below examples...

HPLJ III Compatible

10 cpi: chr(27)+"&12U"+chr(27)+"(s0p10.0h12.0v0s0b3T"

In FM2: ~12U~s0p10.00h12.0v1s0b3T

17 cpi: chr(27)+"&12U"+chr(27)+"(s0p16.67h8.5v0s0b0T"

In FM2: ~12U~s0p16.67h8.5v0s0b3T

Underline (start): chr(27)+chr(38)+chr(100)+chr(64)

In FM2: ~<38><100><64>

Underline (stop): chr(27)+chr(45)+chr(100)+chr(68)

In FM2: ~<45><100><68>

EPSON Compatible

10 cpi: chr(27)+chr(18)

In FM2: ~<38><18>

17 cpi: chr(27)+"@"+chr(27)+"P"+chr(15)

In FM2: ~<38>@~<15>

Underline (start): chr(27)+chr(45)+chr(1)

In FM2: ~<45><1>

Underline (stop): chr(27)+chr(45)+chr(0)

In FM2: ~<45><0>