Form Overlays in PCL XL?

[ccaq001]

Is it possible to do Form Overlays in PCL XL? I know PCL XL doesn't support the same syntax of escape codes as PCL 5. I was wondering if there is a PCL XL equivilant?

 

[DansDadUK]

The PCLXL equivalent of PCL5 macros is 'user-defined streams'. Describing how to use these is beyond a simple reply in the forum.

I suggest that you read up on 'user-defined streams' in the HP documentation (but it is a bit sparse, and does contain some errors!), and try using them.
Then, if you hit a particular problem which you can't resolve, post an update to this thread, posing the problem.

 

[DansDadUK]

I've had a bit more time to think about some simple rules: as a rough guide, to convert the output from a standard PCLXL driver to a 'user-defined stream' suitable for use as a macro equivalent, you will need to do, as a minimum:[ul]
[li]Remove the UEL sequence.[/li]
[li]Remove the PJL statements.[/li]
[li](Optionally) replace the original stream header with an alternative (e.g. different comment field).[/li]
[li]Replace the BeginSession operator (and its preceding attribute list) with the equivalent SetPageScale operator, in order to maintain independence of user units between the overlay and the parent stream.[/li]
[li]Ignore all other operators (and their preceding attribute lists) up to, and including, the first BeginPage operator (except perhaps for embedded font downloads, etc.).[/li]
[li]Retain subsequent operators (and their preceding attribute lists) up to the first EndPage operator, except for SetPageDefaultCTM (which would upset, for example, binding margin settings made by the parent stream.[/li]
[li]Remove the first EndPage operator (including its preceding attribute list), and all subsequent data.[/li]
[/ul]