Creating a custom Windows driver

You must create a custom Windows driver to be used with the virtual printer, and this driver must be based on the native WIN2 driver.

To create a custom Windows driver

1	In a resource set, create a Custom device resource.

2	Double-click the resource to open the editor.

3	From the drop-down list, select Windows Driver (WIN2), and then click Create from template.

4	Specify the appropriate Logical (internal) name and Default display name for the driver.

5	Save the driver, and keep the editor open.

You have now created a custom Windows driver (copy of the native WIN2 driver). The driver file (*.drs) needs a new option for the SpoolFolder specified for the virtual printer (the driver file already contains a PrinterName option). You can also add two additional options to the driver file if you need to:

•	SpoolTimeOut - Controls for how long the driver waits for the Windows spooler. Default value is 10240ms, and minimum allowed timeout is 5120ms.

•	KeepSpoolFile - Controls whether to keep the print file in the SpoolFolder after it is transferred to the output connector. Default is to delete the file.

At this stage your custom driver includes the win2.drs (Native) driver file, and since this driver file is native you cannot edit the file. You must therefore detach this native file from your custom driver and create a copy of win2.drs (Native) that you attach to your custom driver.

To attach a custom *drs to the custom driver

1	In the Device driver files list, deselect the win2.drs (Native) check-box.

2	Click the win2.drs (Native) string (not check-box) to highlight the driver file name and then click Duplicate.

3	Enter a new name (<name>.drs) and click OK.

4	Select the check-box of the new driver file.

5	Save the driver, and keep the editor open.

Now you have an editable driver file, and you can continue to add the driver file options.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To add new driver file options

1	In the Device driver files list, click the string (not check-box) of the new driver file and then click Edit.

2	Below the option PrinterName, add the following options (only SpoolFolder is mandatory):

Option "SpoolFolder" BeforeJob NoChoice ""

Option "SpoolTimeOut" BeforeJob NoChoice ""

Option "KeepSpoolFile" BeforeJob 
 Choice "No" ""
 Choice "Yes" ""

3	Save and close the driver file.

4	Save the driver, and keep the editor open.

Now you have added the new options to the driver file, and can continue to make the options available in the GUI (runtime output connector settings dialog box at Job Begin).

To make the device options available in the GUI

1	On the right hand side of the Device options list, click New.

2	In Logical (internal) name and Default display name, enter the first option PrinterName.

3	Select Job Begin and Option type = Char, and then click OK.

4	Repeat step 1-3 for the second option SpoolFolder.

5	(Optional) Repeat step 1-3 for the option SpoolTimeout with the following exception:

Option type = Integer.

6	(Optional) Repeat step 1-3 for the option KeepSpoolFile with the following exceptions:

–	Option type = Fixed.

–	Add two choices No and Yes where No is the initial value (top of list).

7	Save the driver, and close the editor.