BUILDPPD(1M) K-Spool by Xinet (10/14/99 10.1) BUILDPPD(1M)
NAME
buildppd - build a PPD file for a printer
SYNOPSIS
/usr/etc/appletalk/buildppd [-s] [-p printername ] [-P
printer ] [-T type ] [-Z zone ] [-f file ] [-D]
DESCRIPTION
The buildppd program constructs a PPD (PostScript Printer
Description) file for the specified printer in the current
directory. The PPD file is used by a variety of programs
(including papserver(1m), textps(1), and imagetops(1) ) to
determine the capabilities of the printer. buildppd first
queries the printer for its "Product", and attempts to
select the correct PPD from /usr/adm/appletalk/ppds. If
this is not possible, it will try to build a simple PPD by
querying the printer. The PPD file build in this man is by
no means complete, but contains all the information required
by the current incarnations of Macintosh LaserWriter
drivers. After either selecting or creating the PPD,
buildppd will add a current list of fonts to the PPD (which
may differ from the factory list of fonts). Re-running
buildppd will update the font list.
-s indicates the printer is serial (see below)
-P says look for printer with this name (default is
LaserWriter)
-T means look as if it is this type of printer (default is
LaserWriter)
-Z tells it which zone to look in (default is the local
zone)
-p tells buildppd to get the printer information from the
/etc/printcap file, and to do what is necessary to
create the best possible PPD and install it in
PRINTER.PPD in the printers spool directory.
-f creates file rather than replacing PRINTER.PPD. This
is used by xkspool(1) to auto-select the PPD when the
printer is created.
-D turns on debugging.
In order to query a serial printer, the input and output
must be redirected. For example:
(stty 9600 -echo -lcase tabs -nl tandem litout new ; \
buildppd -s) < /dev/tty01 > /dev/tty01
Would build a PPD for a serial printer running at 9600 baud
Page 1 (printed 1/20/100)
BUILDPPD(1M) K-Spool by Xinet (10/14/99 10.1) BUILDPPD(1M)
attached to tty01. The stty options may have to be adjusted
for your particular printer.
If buildppd cannot communicate properly with the printer, it
will build a PRINTER.PPD file anyway, but it will not be
very useful.
CAVEATS
If you install the printers PPD in /usr/adm/appletalk/ppds,
re-running buildppd will copy it in and update the font
list. In general, xkspool will take care of running
buildppd at the appropriate times.
FILES
PRINTER.PPD The file created.
SEE ALSO
psf(1m), papserver(1m), PostScript Printer Description File
Format Specification (Adobe Systems Inc).
Page 2 (printed 1/20/100)
