FIX: Graph Custom Control Incompatible w/ HP II Series Printer

The information in this article applies to:

- Professional Edition of Microsoft Visual Basic for Windows, version 2.0 - Microsoft Professional Toolkit for Microsoft Visual Basic programming

  system for Windows, version 1.0

SYMPTOMS

The Visual Basic Graph custom control cannot successfully print directly to a Hewlett-Packard (HP) II series LaserJet. This is a compatibility issue between the Graph custom control and the HP II series only. It is not a problem with Visual Basic.

WORKAROUND

To work around the problem, add an additional form to the project, transfer the graph's image to the form, and then print the form. This method bypasses the DrawMode=5 (print) method and the incompatibility issue. The example in the More Information section demonstrates how how to implement this workaround.

Note: Unless you know that your graph will never be printed on an HP II Series LaserJet, you may wish to always use this print method.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a bug in the Graph custom control supplied with the products listed above. This bug was corrected in Microsoft Visual Basic version 3.0 for Windows.

MORE INFORMATION

The Visual Basic Graph custom control version 1.2 allows you to send a graph image directly to your printer by setting the graph's DrawMode property to 5 (print). However, the Graph control is incompatible with the HP II LaserJet family. When using the DrawMode=5 (print) method to print to an HP II LaserJet, only a portion of the graph will print.

Step-by-Step Example

1. From the File menu, choose Add File, and select the GRAPH.VBX custom control file. The Graph tool will appear in the Toolbox.

2. Add another form (Form2).

3. Change the following properties for Form2:

      Property     Value
      ------------------
   
      ControlBox   False
      MaxButton    False
      MinButton    False
      Caption      False
   
   

4. On Form1, create a Graph control (Graph1) and a command button (Command1). Set the Caption property for Command1 to "Print."

5. Size and edit Graph1 so that it appears the way you want it to print.

6. Add the following code to the Command1_Click event:

      Sub Command1_Click ()
   
         'change to black/white for clearer printing
         Graph1.DrawStyle = 0
         'update change to black/white
         Graph1.DrawMode = 2
   
         Load Form2
         'size Form2 and transfer Graph1's image
         Form2.width = Graph1.width
         Form2.height = Graph1.height
         Form2.picture = Graph1.picture
         Form2.visible = 1   'optional
   
         Form2.PrintForm
   
         'return Graph1 to display in color (optional)
         Graph1.DrawStyle = 1
         'update display to color
         Graph1.DrawMode = 2
   
      End Sub
   
   

7. From the Run menu, choose Start (ALT R, S) and click the Print button.

If you included the optional line Form2.visible=1, you will see Form2 appear and resize with the black and white graph image as its picture. A dialog box will appear stating that Form2 is being printed. Graph1 will convert back to a color display and the program will end.