Virtual Printer - Saving prints as a file

[Former Member]

Hi,

I need to setup a virtual printer such that, if anything is printed on that, it is saved as a file. This file sould contain printer instruction, which can then be sent to 3rd party for printing.

Something like Microsoft Document Imaging.

All this has to run in background.

Can anyone help?

Regards,

Vikas

[Former Member]

You can save spool requests as PDF documents and convert the print controls into an LPR command which when executed will print the PDF document to the printer specified. Is this what you mean?

[Former Member]

Hi Gill,

I do not want to save the spool as PDF.

I want to save that directly in printer language as a file.

Regards,

Vikas

[sridhar_k1]

Here's how to set up a virtual printer:

Tx; SPAD-> create a device type -> in change mode clikck on access method tab -> from edit menu select Command set-> command set id field shows up -> enter a letter, for ex:A , Doubble click on the field-> give a description-> enter cp &F /tmp/vpfile in command to transfer print data field -> enter echo ok in the last field.

Host spool access method should be L in the printer definition.

When you print using this printer, the output file copied to /tmp/vpfile folder.

Regards

Sridhar

Message was edited by:

Sridhar K

[Former Member]

Thanks Sridhar.

This solves the problem.

Regards,

Vikas

[Former Member]

Can this be set up to output the file to a network folder?

[Former Member]

Yes, you can copy to any network folder that is known to the sapservicesid user.

Another alternative is to create the command file on your network folder and pass the spool parameters to the command file. Instead of using the copy (cp) command on the command line in the command set, call the command file.

Example

server\folder\xyz.cmd &F &P &C &N &T

The parameters are : &F = filename. &P = printer name. &C = number of copies. &N = spool request number. &T = title.

[Former Member]

Hi, How can i output a to a local drive on my pc or a network drive. I have created a virtual printer on SAP but not sure what command to save to my local drive.

Thanks

[Former Member]

This method outputs a file in printer language? Is it possible to output a plain text file?

[rkresha]

enter cp &F /tmp/vpfile in command to transfer print data field -> enter echo ok in the last field.

This worked perfectly, thanks!

[Former Member]

Hi Sridhar,

I got a similar requirement to place the output of the printer into an AL11 directory for further processing. I did exactly what you have advised earlier but unfortunately failed to get a copy of the output on the AL11 directory.

Can you help advise what needs to be done? pre-requisites?

thanks!