Printing to default files in Windows

[Mute]

Okay, this is waaaaaay off topic:

I have a product that will -not- make output to anything except the default printer. Well, after killing tons of trees I decided that something had to be done.

So I made a new 'printer':

start->settings->printers->add printer
1) i selected local printer
2) selected a random printer:
a) hp manufacturer
b) hp deskjet printer
3) For default port I left it as FILE
4) I made my new 'printer' the default printer

Now the problem is this: this is a huge process that makes lots of discrete pieces of output. When it went to the printer everything was great (except the waste of paper). Now when it 'prints' it prompts me for a filename. This process is supposed to be noninteractive /~unreal/ubb/html/frown.gif.

So... Does anyone know how to make your 'default printer' be a specific file?

My goals are simple:
1) Print to a file
2) Have the process be totally noninteractice like printing to a real printer.

Any suggestions?

ps. If you tell me how to do this, and I can apply it to my application I'll have a free pizza delivered right to your house /~unreal/ubb/html/wink.gif.


[This message has been edited by mute (edited 02-11-2000).]

 

[phishedNET]

http://xlink.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/zdhelp/zdhelp/single.html?Ueid=906930&b=tipzone

If that works e~mail me and I'll let you know where to deliver my pizza /~unreal/ubb/html/wink.gif

[PuF]Rezz
Quasimodo's Lair
I alone hear his tortured screams!! Screamy noises!! Eeeeek!

 

[Mute]

Hmm... well the prn2disk script MAY work if I could find it anywhere /~unreal/ubb/html/wink.gif. It seems like it just grabs copies of everything that prints and doesn't actually stop the actual printing, which is key (because it would just be paper wasting 9 times out of 10).

But like I said, I haven't found it yet.

Any other suggestions?

 

[phishedNET]

I looked at zdnet.com, download.com/cnet.com and at winfiles.com and couldn't find anything. I'll see what I can do on my computer at home over the weekend. If not, I'll have to give up, heh.

[PuF]Rezz
Quasimodo's Lair
I alone hear his tortured screams!! Screamy noises!! Eeeeek!

 

[Mute]

*bump* /~unreal/ubb/html/frown.gif.

 

[Mute]

One last *bump* before I give up...

 

[CHRYSt]

Dude, you can do it with a VB macro. Just get into Access, and start toying with the macros.
Also, Adobe has a driver that you're not supposed to use unless you own a copy of Acrobat, that will set up a new printer that outputs to a PDF file. It's really useful. It also comes with Adobe Acrobat.

"Where's the BACTINE?! Some of this blood is MINE!!" -- JTHM

 

[Mute]

Dude, can you tell me how to do the VB thing?

Also:
I knew about adobe acrobat, but i thought it still popped up a dialog box asking me -where- i want to save the file. Which would be no good since this needs to be noninteractive. I'll take a closer look at it to see if i missed something.

Thanks for the suggestions! Just you sounding so optimistic makes me have heart again /~unreal/ubb/html/smile.gif.

Mute|PuF