Dot matrix printers, in general, require graphics data in a bit-mapped image format. This requires converting the LONGLIB metafile pen motion file into a bit-image file using a raster scan process. Using one of the supplied raster scan converter programs, the LONGLIB metafile can be processed to produce a printable file of graphics for several types of dot matrix printers. The raster scan converter programs supports linetypes and widths. Currently, raster scan converter programs which include "stripping" exist for the following printers:
The raster scan converter programs using ``stripping" with a strip size which depends on the printer. Ordinarily the strip is 56.5 by 13.2 inches (or the width of the printer page). To generate a raster scan data file suitable for printing on a dot matrix printer from the vector plot command file, the raster scan converter program must be used.
Two raster scan programs have been provided for the Trilog printer to take advantage of its higher printing resolution. TRILGLO prints the same resolution on the Trilog printer as on the Printronix printer. TRILGHI plots at almost twice the across-the-page resolution and the same down-the-page resolution. Execution time is longer for the high resolution program.
An example of the use of the TRILGLO program in the VAX environment follows. The LONGLIB metafile input is FOR003.DAT. The output is OUT.LIS.
$ TRILGLO :== $LONGLOC:TRILGLO
$ TRILGLO FOR003.dat ! run raster scan converter
$ print/que=Trilog OUT.LIS ! print output
VAX DCL command files in the directory pointed to by the logical name LONGLOC: contain command files for execution of these commands. (PLOT183.COM = printronix printer, PLOTLO.COM = trilog printer lo-res PLOTHI.COM = trilog printer hi-res).