Print & Previews look different on different computers...What to do?

[ABQMark]

Howdy,

I am using FPW2.6


1. I have created Reports an Labels using Report & Label Form generator on MY machine.

2. I have compiled my programs into an EXE.

3. Statement to print/preview is:
report form {.FRX file) ENVIRONMENT PREVIEW
LABEL FORM (.LBX file) ENVIRONMENT PREVIEW

4. When I PREVIEW the Reports/Labels it looks fine in my machine. Using Times Roman Font (8 pitch)

I copied the .EXE, databases, .FRX and .FRT , .ESL files to another machine (that does not have the FPW2.6 compiler in it)

4. When I PREVIEW in the new machine, the font is totally different and seems larger and over-runs.
Times Roman font IS installed in the other machine.

Wondering why?
Why is IT doing this?
If the FRT file need to distribute with the FRX?
I'm sure everyone's got TIMES Roman on there system...I loonked in the FONTS folder and yes, it's there.

What must I do to correct this problem so that ANY distibuted programs will work/look like mine when it prints.

Including TO PRINT PROMPT does not work. (cant choose font/size)


Thanks again,

Mark Geer

 

[rgbean]

Mark,
First not all fonts named the same ARE the same - there can be differences especially between OSs and sometimes between updates on the same OS. (e.g. Some fonts were updated when the Euro symbol was added.) Additionally, some &quot;rogue&quot; applications will replace standard window's fonts with there own versions - just so their application looks good <s>.

The other thing to remember is that the Preview can be affected by the video driver in use, the system's current video resolution and the currently selected printer. If you've got different video cards (or chip sets), different selected printers or even different driver versions the results may look different.

Finally, because printer drivers also vary between printers and OSs, this can cause differences in what is actually printed.

There is very little or nothing you (or FoxPro) can do about this programatically. Unless you require a specific system setup (hardware ond OS) and a specific printer - not too likely, you just try to cover what's &quot;normal&quot; and hope for the best.

Rick

 

[ABQMark]

Thanks for the information.
I am using Win ME and the other machine uses 98SE
Do you think if I would copy MY required fonts to the other machine FONT folder, that might help? Screen resolutions are the same (800x600)


Mark

 

[codetyko]

Hi Mark,

From my experience, using report writer will have the most consistent result compared to using @SAY with SET DEVICE TO PRINTER commands especially with different printers. What I normally do is install the fonts that you use in your application which your clients might not have and as a precautionary measure, include those &quot;normal&quot; fonts such as Arial and Times New Roman as well. Be careful not to overwrite new versions of fonts which might include new symbols such as the euro. If a new version of a font is discovered, try to use that font in your application.

As what Rick has pointed out, there are too many variables with regards to displays and resolution which will take a lifetime to solve. Avoid from writing &quot;rogue&quot; applications which might overwrite other programmers' specific fonts because normally the client will blame the last person or programmer who has tinkered with their system if anything goes wrong however remote the possibility of you or your program being the cause. Good Luck!!