The Printer object is the primary method used to access the printer. It has many properties and methods in common with the Picture control, plus a few that are unique to the Printer object. Table 9.1 lists the properties and methods common to both objects, and Table 9.2 lists the properties and methods specific to the Printer object.
NOTE: The Printer object versus the Picture control: These are very similar in nature and function. Both offer a canvas for you to create your own artwork. The only significant differences between them relate to the physical differences between a video display and a printer—you can clear a screen but not a printer page, and you can start another page in the printer but you can’t do that with a video display.
Table 9.1: Printer Object and Picture Control Properties and Methods
| Property/Method | Description |
| Circle method | Draws a circle or an ellipse |
| CurrentX property | Specifies the horizontal coordinate of the cursor |
| CurrentY property | Specifies the vertical coordinate of the cursor |
| DrawStyle property | Specifies the pattern used to draw the line |
| DrawWidth property | Specifies the width of the line in pixels |
| FillColor property | Specifies the interior color for shapes |
| FillStyle property | Specifies the pattern used to fill shapes |
| Font property | Specifies the font characteristics for text output |
| ForeColor property | Sets the color used to draw the shapes and characters on the object |
| hDC property | Specifies the device context used to access the device |
| Height property | Specifies the height of the work area in twips |
| Line method | Draws a line between the specified coordinates |
| PaintPicture method | Draws the picture at the specified location |
| Print method | Outputs the specified text to the object |
| Pset method | Draws a point at the specified location |
| Scale method | Defines the coordinate system used to describe the work area |
| ScaleHeight property | Contains the Height in the units specified by ScaleMode |
| ScaleLeft property | Contains the Left position in the units specified by ScaleMode |
| ScaleMode property | Specifies the unit of measure for the Scale properties |
| ScaleTop property | Contains the Top in the units specified by ScaleMode |
| ScaleWidth property | Contains the Width in units specified by ScaleMode |
| ScaleX method | Computes a value for the specified width value in a different scale |
| ScaleY method | Computes a value for the specified height value in a different scale |
| TextHeight method | Computes the height of the specified string using ScaleMode and the specified font information |
| TextWidth method | Computes the width of the specified string using ScaleMode and the specified font information |
| Width property | Contains the width of the work area in twips |
Table 9.2: Printer Object-Specific Properties and Methods
| Property/Method | Description |
| EndDoc method | Finishes the current print operation and releases the output to the print spooler or printer |
| Fonts property | Contains an object reference with the list of fonts that can be used with the printer |
| KillDoc method | Finishes the current print operation and discards the output |
| NewPage method | Ejects the current page and begins a new page |
| Orientation property | Specifies if the printer’s paper is placed in portrait mode or landscape mode |
| Page property | Specifies the current page number |
| PaperSize property | Specifies the size of the paper in the printer |
| PrintQuality property | Specifies the relative quality of the output |
| TrackDefault property | Specifies whether to change the default Printer object whenever the Windows default Printer object is changed |
| Zoom property | Specifies the scaling factor of the output |