[comp.sys.atari.st] First posting ever, Help

MOLCS@UNO.BITNET (12/02/87)

This is my first posting!!!

I have a problem...perhaps one of you readers can help...

I have a DEC LA50 printer connected to my Atari 1040 ST and would
like to do graphics dumps. But alas, my printer is NOT Epson
compatible. It uses a technique called SIXEL for printing graphics.

SIXEL is described as follows:

The top 6 verticle dots (first column) of the prnthead are fired according
to the received character. These characters must be in the range 63 - 126
(base 10, ie chars ?..c ). The pattern is determined by subtracting an
offset of 63 (base 10) from the received character...
Therefore, sending an "@" (ASCII 64) character yeilds a bit-pattern of
0000 0001 which fires the top pin.
Furthermore: The character "$" ( ASCII 36 ) returns the graphic cursor to
             the beginning of the line.
             The character "-" ( ASCII 45 ) returns the cursor and advances
             the paper by 6 pins.

Graphics mode is entered by sending the printer ESC P q (27 80 113)
and exited by sending ESC \ (27 92)...

I read the article in STart about printer drivers but I did not see an easy
way to add the required offset to the driver...any help in this matter would
be appreciated.

                      Thanks,
                      Michael O. Lott
                      MOLCS@UNO ...on bitnet only