[Printing-architecture] Epson Question on the Common Print Dialog

[kate price]

Dear Glen

Thanks for getting the CPD out there in Epsom, naturally all feedback  
and questions are welcomed by us.
Til has already replied I know, but it's worth giving you some more  
answers from the perspective of us here at mmi-works, who are  
developing the UI.


>
> 	• Does the CPD support Watermarks?
> 		• I remember this being there at some point but it could be  
> confirmed.


Just as an appendage to Til's comments; we have developed aUI for  
watermarking in the CPD. please see: http://wiki.openusability.org/printing/index.php/Personal_laser_parameter_specifications#Watermarking 
   for details


> 	• How does the CPD support the connection between borderless print  
> mode and media size/type.
> 	• Not all media sizes and media types are designed to support  
> borderless mode; is there a mechanism to handle this.

We have created a new control (or actually set of controls called  
Print On. This integrates media type, media size  margins and color  
management into one inter-related group. Borderless printing comes as  
part of margins. We have created generic margin sizes - one of which  
can easily be "none" "minimum" or a term of your choice.

We felt there were a couple major of issues here:

*ensuring that borders  -i.e.  drawn borders and "border-less  
printing" i.e. minimum or no margins, were not able to be confused
*allowing specific feature names can be integrated here, whilst  
keeping it clear that margin sizes are always related to media type  
and size - literally what users are printing on.
*not forgetting that manufacturers will have the capacity to create  
tags which can big up unique printer features, whilst enabling  users  
to put together successful prints, for example there could be an "up  
to the edge" printing tag.

see http://wiki.openusability.org/printing/index.php/Photo_printers_parameter_specifications#Print_On_-_Media_Type_and_Size


> 	• How will the CPD allow vendors to display printer status, toner  
> (ink) levels, job status and support printing maintenance items like  
> nozzle check, nozzle clean and head alignment?
> 		• Is there a vendor zone or pane (panel) for this?

Actually, we are currently working on an icon to be shown next to the  
printer selection pop-up which will open all the relevant maintenance  
info.
Here we see a low ink warning icon also being appropriate, though not  
in any specific detail on the actual level 2/3 CPD pane.

The maintenance icon will open a new dialog pane, which can include  
all the maintenance information Manufacturers require, including the  
relevant images, user instructions or guides that are existence. We  
are therefore designing in a neat, visible and immediate way for users  
to access all the information manufacturers wish to provide relating  
to the chosen printer, directly from the CPD.

I will be updating the wiki with this addition in the next week or so  
so watch this space:
http://wiki.openusability.org/printing/index.php/Level_2_Dialog_zones_and_content#Printer_Zone

> 	• Does changing the media size in the CPD “reflow” the document or  
> simple scale (perhaps with clip) the document content to the  
> selected media size in the CPD.
> 		• That is, an application (via the user) sets the document page  
> size (say letter) while the CPD (via the user) specifies the print  
> media size of the document page to be A4; in which case, the letter  
> sized content is scaled (maintaining aspect ratio) to A4.


As Til wrote, generally media size changes by the user are always  
retransformed by the application. However, if the app has a page size  
concept it can set the values when the CPD launches. Advanced: the app  
would suppress the CPD controls and add it's own.

Best wishes,

Kate

mmi works