Loftware Print Server provides software to combine form data and pre-built forms. Their software a few interfaces (a file interface and a TCP/IP Socket Interface, for example) (refer to chapter 1, page 3 of the LPS documentation). They failed however to offer what in my mind was the most obvious interface, a Windows Printer interface, so I've included instructions on how to add this interface yourself by using Russell Lang's Redirection Port Monitor. These instructions create a windows printer named Loftware that forwards the print job to the Loftware file interface. The latter is set configured by default on a fresh installation of the software (at least on version 9.1 which was the version I tested this on).

1. Check to see if there is a port redirector and if so jump to step 3
2. Download and extract redmon17.zip (save as) to "c:\redmon17".
3. Run "setup.exe".
4. Open the Printer and Faxes applet from the Control Panel and choose "Add a printer". This will start the "Add Printer Wizard".
   1. On the "Welcome to the Add Printer Wizard" dialog press "Next".
   2. On the "Local or Network Printer" dialog configure the printer as a "Local printer attached to this computer" (do not click "Automatically detect and install my Plug and Play printer"). Press "Next".
   3. On the "Select a Printer Port" dialog choose "Create a new port" and select "Redirected Port". Accept the suggested Port Name. Press "Next".
   4. On the "Install Printer Software" dialog, choose "Generic" as the Manufacturer and "Generic / Text Only" as the Printer. Press "Next".
   5. On the "Use Existing Driver" dialog choose "Keep Existing Driver", choose "Keep existing driver (recommended)". Press "Next".
   6. Give the printer the name "Loftware" without the quotes and select "No" for "Do you want to use this printer as the default printer". Press "Next".
   7. On the "Printer Sharing" dialog choose "Do not share this printer". Press "Next".
   8. On the Location and Comment dialog Press "Next".
   9. On the "Print Test Page" dialog select "No" and Press "Next".
   10. On the "Completing the Add Printer Wizard" dialog press "Finish".
5. Right click on the newly created "Loftware" printer and select the "Ports" tab. Click the "Configure Port" button. Configure port with the following settings.

   Rediect this port to the program:
   C:\redmon17\redfile.exe
   
   Arguments for this program are:
   C:\PROGRA~1\LOFTWA~1\WDDrop\loftware%04.pas
   

   

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Posted by QICBoy on January 10, 2008 7:00:00 PM PST #