With AFP Printing, there are resources that can be created to change the way a page is formatted. Do you want a field to reflect a specific font or maybe use this same field and represent it as a barcode somewhere else? How about adding the capabilities that allow duplexing or change from portrait to landscape
These capabilities are defined within a Formdef and Pagedef created within a AFP Resouce
Question:
I have several applications that generate output that is formatted with page definitions. Currently the print streams are directed to a continuous forms printer. I want to migrate some of the printing to a cut sheet printer and I am confused about what role the formdefs and pagedefs play. Will I need to modify my applications or page definitions to accommodate the new printers?
Answer:
Page Definitions are used to determine what the formatted page(s) will look like. Think of these pages as virtual pages that are not yet associated with a physical piece of paper. The way you want your application data to look on the page is determined by the instructions within the page definition.
Form Definitions are used to control the physical attributes of printing such as:
- Which side of the paper to print on for duplex printing.
- What sequence the pages will follow for multiple up (N_UP) printing.
- What paper trays are used for cutsheet printing.
- What overlays, if any, are to be associated with particular data printing.
In your case, you should need to be concerned with the formdefs only. The formatting for your pages typically does not need to be altered to accommodate different printers, but, you will need to look at using a different formdef or a different copygroup within your formdef to achieve the results you are looking for when you change printers.
If this is something you can not do, please let me know and I can provide the services to do this for you.
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