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jaap, 2012-07-15 12:32
LAOS CUPS driver¶
This page describes the CUPS printer driver installation.
How it works
The goal is to have a workflow that translates standard Postscript into LAOS codes (see SimpleCode).¶
This is done in the following steps
- Application generating an image and sending this file to a printer
- The printer dialog shows the configuration dialog based on PPD. The user selects the appropriate settings
- Postscript printer data captured in file, along with the selected settings
- File tranfered to pstoedit with laos driver, file is converted to appropriate codes
- File is transfered to device
- Device controls laser and motion
OS Support
The goal is to write platform-independent printer driver, based on CUPS.¶
Our test environment is Linux. However: it should be possible to compile the driver on Windows or Mac. Another option is to work from a Windows or MAC workstation and send the data to the CUPS printer on a Linux system. (the [http://www.cups.org/articles.php?L376 cups driver for windows could help]). The PPD file can be used on Windows and Mac.
The backend conversion (pstoedit) is also usable as a stand-alone program, and sending the files to the actual printer can be done with a small stand-alone tool.
All developments should be platform independent, but Linux/CUPS integration is the initial goal.
Installation
h3. Linux
This is how you install the driver on Linux.¶
Tested on:
- Debian Squeeze
- Ubuntu 10.10
- Ubuntu 11.04
- Ubuntu 11.10 (you might need to perform these extra steps)
Please add your distro or let us know problems you encounter! - Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (some issues: see remarks)
Downloading software
Before installing the CUPS driver, install pstoedit with laos support.
From SVN download the cups-laos:svn co https://tuxic.nl/laos/cups-laos
Some svn programs will complain if they don't know the CA, (ssl error), in that case, add this line to the file '''.subversion/servers''':
@ssl-trust-default-ca = no
Installing the cups driver:cd <where-ever you installed> cups-laos/src-tftp
make
sudo make install
(if make fails, rename or copy one of the personal makefiles in that folder and call it 'Makefile')
- On Debian, go to System -> Administration -> Printing
- Choose: Add Printer (the arrow next to add)
- Choose: Devices: Generic CUPS-LAOS Printer
- Change the device URI to match your device IP and PORT, as configured in the firmware of the laser. For the SUDA laser, it's:
cups-laos://192.168.13.111:69/minimal - Choose a name for your laser and press apply
- You might need to select the PPD (Postscript Printer Description). It's located in cups-laos/src-tftp/
- Do NOT print a test page!!!
- Now you can right-click on the new printer and go to '''Printer Options''' to adapt the defaults for your laser.
Windows
Installing the CUPS driver on Windows.¶
Tested on Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Downloading software
Download the cups-windows files from SVN:https://tuxic.nl/laos/cups-windows/
- On Windows 7, go to 'Start' -> Control Panel -> Devices and Printers
- Click Add Printer (or right click then Add Printer)
- Add a local printer
- Create a new port - Standard TC/IP Port
- Stick in the IP address (and port - ie. 192.168.1.2:69)
- Give the port a name (LAOS [ip address] or something maybe)
- Untick 'Query the printer and automatically select the driver to use'
- Click Next and wait for Windows to try and detect the device.
- Select Generic Network Card and click Next
- Select 'Have Disk' and browse to the .inf file from the files you just downloaded.
- Click Next and ignore/accept any warnings.
- Give your laser cutter (printer) a name.
- Share the printer if you want to, set it as default if you want to but DO NOT print a test page.
- Default preferences can be selected under Printer Preferences - Preferences - Advanced.
Updated by jaap over 12 years ago · 1 revisions