Posted by LisaWI on 1/19/10 9:02am
Msg #318513

Working w/ PRN Documents

Out of all the printing program extensions, this one is probably the winner when it comes to "lets see how much we can irritate Lisa" LOL. I can usually manipulate programs to work to my advantage, but this one seems to get me every single time. Couple of questions with the program for these docs.

1. Rview: Why does it throw up a temp folder and two tiff icons every single time you open a doc package to print? And, can you make it quit doing that?
2. In the R-Viewer screen, when you hit print, the printer dialogue box appears, then you hit print, and then a second dialogue box appears(R-Viewer) and brings up different options. There are 2 options for Print Output Format, Print Original Format, and Print Pages as Image. When I selected Print Original Format, it cut pages off that were legal. So I had to select Print Pages as Image, except this option, every few docs that printed, there was a screen that kept coming up stating to fill the tray with paper and the program wouldnt continue until you hit the OK button. So I had to babysit the computer so the documents would print. Is there something Im not doing correctly?? I have my trays set up in my printer settings, so Im at a loss as to why the program wont recognize the trays??

I spent an hour lastnight trying to print docs correctly and something tells me there has to be a better way to handle this extension. I know Ive had problems with this extension before and this printing program. The last time this happened though, Swiftview somehow took over and I was able to print the docs with no hassles, but this time, Swiftview wouldnt open the docs.

Or is there a better program to use for this extension?

Reply by PAW on 1/19/10 9:27am
Msg #318519

First, you must understand how PRN files are created. They are NOT generic print files, but printer specific files. When you print from an application (such as Word, Excel, or even LOS) you need to select a printer. An option on the 'printer playout menu' is whether or not to print to a file. If you select "Print to file", the printer driver asks for the 'output file name' to be entered (usually in the temp directory) and may append a PRN extension to that file. (Sometimes, the output file will not have an extension at all!)

To print PRN files, one simply copies the file directly to the printer. The PRN file contains all the code necessary to control the specific printer that was originally selected from the application.

The "How To" for creating and printing PRN files can be found at http://filext.com/faq/print_from_prn_file.php

A description of PRN files can be found at http://filext.com/file-extension/PRN

Reply by John Schenk on 1/19/10 9:49am
Msg #318520

That is WAY too much trouble. Had them send me some like that before and when I'd see it, I'd just call them up and tell'em to send it to me in .pdf as I can't print those types of files. They send it in .pdf and I'm outta here.

JJ

Reply by PAW on 1/19/10 10:10am
Msg #318521

I agree, John. I won't accept PRN files either because chances are I don't have the same printer that the originator is using anyway. Printing a file built for an HP 9842 won't work on a HP 1300 printer!

Reply by Notarysigner on 1/19/10 4:02pm
Msg #318578

Correct me if I'm wrong (that'll make two days in a row) but isn't that the format "Swiftview" uses? I ask because in order to print their doc you must select their printer driver via the web Gui. Granted, still too much work but I was curious to know.

Reply by PAW on 1/19/10 7:34pm
Msg #318624

Yes, SwiftView may use PRN since the SwiftView utility functions just like a print driver, like PCL6, but relies on PCL to actually render the page. (Similar to printing to a PDF generator.) Chase used to have their own utility that worked much the same. I think BofA still has their version too. But the issue remains, that PRN files are printer driver specific, so SwiftView won't be able to print all files with that extension. Only those created for SwiftView.

Reply by LisaWI on 1/19/10 11:14am
Msg #318529

Thanx Paul. If there isnt an easy way to print these out, I will tell them to send over in PDF. They usually send me to the website that is holding the docs in the PRN format. This will be an extra step for them, so I hope they dont give me any grief about it

Reply by LisaWI on 1/19/10 6:29pm
Msg #318609

Re: Hang On!! I think I Figured it Out.

You download the file with R-Viewer and save it to your computer, you then right click the file, select SwiftviewInBrowser, it will open with Swiftview in your browser. Then do a print to PrimoPDF. Tada!! You now have a PDF file.

Not sure what the difference is between regular Swiftview and SwiftviewInBrowser, but it worked.