When using QuickDraw GX with the LaserWriter GX driver, you may notice that you cannot find specific LaserWriter options such as PhotoGrade or DPI settings. Unlike earlier LaserWriter drivers, such as the LaserWriter 8.x driver, the operating system does not query the printer for available options when the printer is selected in the Chooser. Instead, the query happens when the first print job is sent to a specific printer using the LaserWriter GX driver.
This means that the specific printer options will not be available until after printing at least once to a desktop printer.
If you are printing from non-GX savvy applications, you should use the LaserWriter Utility included with QuickDraw GX (using custom install) to set certain printer options or bypass the LaserWriter GX driver by installing the QuickDraw GX Helper extensions (using custom install).
How to Select Specific LaserWriter Options
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1) Create a desktop printer using the LaserWriter GX driver in the Chooser
2) Print a one page document or the desktop to the printer
3) Choose Page Setup from a QuickDraw GX savvy application.
4) Select the specific LaserWriter under the "Format For:" pop-up menu. Do
NOT choose LaserWriter GX but the specific name of the LaserWriter.
5) Click on the "LaserWriter Options" icon on the left side of the
window.
You should see all the options available for the LaserWriter you have chosen such as 300/600 DPI or PhotoGrade. The options available here are dependent on the printer model. Consult your printer's documentation for a complete description of features.
How to Select Multi-purpose Input Trays
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1) Create a desktop printer using the LaserWriter GX driver in the Chooser
2) Print a one page document or the desktop to the printer
3) Select the printer on the desktop and choose "Input Trays" from the
Printing Menu.
4) Make the appropriate selections.
The manual feed tray is not supported in the current version of the LaserWriter GX driver.
You will know if QuickDraw GX has queried the specific Desktop Printer properly if the dialog window that comes up for paper trays specifically mentions the printer model (example:LaserWriter Pro).
Article Change History:
19 Jan 1995 - Added information on manual feed tray.
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