PCL forms/images created with forms generation software are much
smaller and more efficient for use in report overlaying than using
the standard Windows method of including the form/image on EACH page
that is sent to the printer.  Plus, have you ever tried drawing your
own page form overlay using the report formatter?  If it includes
anything other than a few lines and an image or two, you know what I
mean.  Obviously, forms design software has been optimized for this
one task and PCL form files are much smaller and cleaner than using
the CW Report Formatter Page Form and scanned forms.

The example report will print a payroll check for each record in the
contact file (add or delete records to experiment with print file
sizes).  There are two check overlay files: CHECK.OVL and CHECK2.OVL

The CHECK.OVL macro overlay has an ID of 100 and contains a company
logo and a signature.  CHECK2.OVL contains no scanned images, just
basic lines, boxes and text.  This demo comes with 2 contact
records.  There is a check box that allows you to specify whether or
not to print the signature.  This demonstrates conditional form
overlaying.

After the check file is created the overlay (or overlays) is
downloaded to the printer where it resides in memory.  If you use
Flash RAM then you would skip the download.  PCLRPT.PRT gets created
on disk.  This file contains PCL overlay commands on each page of
the report so you can also easily accomplish conditional overlaying
on a page by page basis by including multiple macro id's.  A simple
STRING field get's inserted anywhere on the page, ie: headers,
footers and details.

The print file is then spooled to the printer.  This file is
significantly smaller than the CW/WMF equivalent which requires
that EACH page have a copy of the image(s).  The result is faster
printing, less network traffic, more flexibility AND you get to
continue to take advantage of PCL's macro overlaying technology
(or begin to)!

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PCL Tools comes with all the necessary source, utilities,
instructions and examples for accomplishing the same thing as the
demo reports.  Implementation is accomplished via Extension
Templates.  The main capability provided is the ability to embed
the chr(27)/escape code within CW reports and to bypass the Windows
print engine.  CHR(27) is the prefix to all PCL commands.  You can
essentially use whatever level of PCL your laser supports.

CW1.5, CW2.x, CW2003 and C4 16/32bit compatible.

The check overlays were created using TransForm Professional.  Visit
http://members.aol.com/GBerthume for information on this product which
is simply the best forms design software available!

We also offer a PCL Overlay Form File generation service if your
form needs are minimal and you don't have the tools or expertise to
do so yourself.  We can create most forms and can include any
graphics such as signatures, company logos, etc.  Call or e-mail for
more details.  Describe your needs.
