POSTER PRINT
Version 1.0
by Ben Ziegler

(Scroll this text file using the scroll bar on the right)


INTRODUCTION

POSTER PRINT is a simple utility to print large posters using a standard printer.  Simply load a windows bitmap graphic file (in the .bmp or .dib format), select a poster size, and then print!  You can then tape the sheets together and hang them on your wall, etc.  POSTER PRINT can print posters of any size!


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

You will need Microsoft Windows 3.1, a printer, a minimum of 4 MB of RAM (with a large amount of virtual memory set in the Control Panel under "386 Enhanced"), and a 256-color display (for high quality output).  You can still print with a 16-color display, but due to the types of Windows API's being used, the print quality will be poor.

POSTER PRINT is a Visual Basic 3.0 application and requires the following support files:  VBRUN300.DLL, CMDIALOG.VBX, and COMMDLG.DLL.  Files specific to POSTER PRINT are POSTPRNT.EXE and POSTPRNT.TXT.  POSTER PRINT is distributed in two different forms:  full and lite (using file names PPRNTFUL.ZIP and PPRNTLTE.ZIP respectively).  The full version includes the Visual Basic support files, while the lite version includes only the POSTER PRINT specific files.


SELECTING A GRAPHIC

Select the "File" menu, and then the "Open Picture" menu.  A dialog box will then prompt for what graphic file to load.  Select any file that ends in the .bmp or .dib extension.  The file will be loaded into memory and displayed in your window (scaled to the appropriate size).


SETTING OPTIONS

POSTER PRINT is very easy to use.  The only option that needs to be set is the size of the output poster.  If this option is not set, the default size is 2 pages.

Note that the number of pages represents BOTH directions, so a number of pages "2" means a poster size 2 by 2.  Selecting number of pages to 4 will result in 16 total pages being printed.  POSTER PRINT does not waste pages, so if the graphic is narrow in one direction, POSTER PRINT will ignore any blank pages that wouldn't print anything.

There are other options that may be specific to your printer.  On the "File" menu is a "Printer Setup" menu.  Select this menu to set the graphic quality of your printer, the orientation (e.g., Portrait or Landscape), etc.  POSTER PRINT will use all the settings selected in the Printer Setup dialog box.


PRINTING YOUR POSTER

Now all that needs to be done is to print your Poster.  Select the "Print Poster" option under the "File" menu.  A dialog box will ask for what Print Range to print.  To print the entire poster, simply press ENTER or select the "PRINT" button.  You may select a print range to print only a piece of the poster (this is useful to reprint a bad page, etc).


TIPS

If you have an HP LaserJet 4 set to 600 dpi, the printing process will take a LONG time.  It is suggested you set the printer to 300 dpi, which still provides high quality output.

Using grayscale bitmaps (as oppossed to 24-bit color DIBs) will take less memory and will therefore provide faster printing.


ABOUT SHAREWARE

POSTER PRINT is Shareware, meaning that you are allowed to evaluate it and use it for a short period of time to see if it meets your needs.  If you intend on using POSTER PRINT you must register it.  Registration is $10 and will give you the benefit of printing Posters of sizes larger than 5 pages.  The limitation is placed in the unregistered version to encourage users to register the software.

Send a check or money order for $10 + $4 shipping and handling to:

PPSOFTWARE, Inc.
c/o Ben Ziegler
210 E. Fairfax St. #624
Falls Church, VA  22046-2924

You will receive a registered copy of the software within 2 to 4 weeks.  Please specify if you require 5.25" disk size (otherwise you will receive a 3.5" disk).

Thank you for your support of the shareware concept.  If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions you may send them to the above address, or email me at:  benz23@aol.com

The source code for POSTER PRINT is also available for $45.  You will receive all of the necessary project and form files in the Visual Basic 3.0 format.  You may use the source code in your own projects (with royalty free distribution); however, you may not redistribute the POSTER PRINT source code in source code form.

