. . .
What’s in this manual?
l In “Getting to Know Your Star LaserPrinter 8111” we provide a list of the
features that make this a splendid printer, to help you choose which
features you want to exploit. There’s a bit on how laser printers work,
inside and out. The chapter then explains software in general terms,
including how to write control and Escape commands to make those
features work.
l “Controlling Your Printer” examines the parameters and “superset”
commands you give the StarLaserPrinter 8111 to direct precisely how you
want it to behave. These let you control the printer, manage page formats,
and specify what you want printed.
l For most of us, the “Fonts” chapter will be useful: how to use the fonts
built into the LaserPrinter 8111, plus those that come on cartridges or
computer disks.
l You may never look atmore than one or two of chapters4 through 6, which
cover Star LaserPrinter 8111 commands. Your LaserPrinter 8111 emulates
other printers:
it imitates other printers by accepting the same commands
they do. Just think of your Star LaserPrinter 8111 as three printers hiding
inside one unit.
If you want to write or modify a program that uses one of these printers-
the Hewlett-Packard LaserJet III, Epson EX-800, IBM Proprinter or -
chapters 4 through 6 show how your Star LaserPrinter 8111 can emulate
to accordingly. The chapters first describe how to control the printer and
to format pages, then how to move the print position, and finally how to
use fonts and graphics.
The chapter on the LaserJet III is longer and more detailed than the others.
That’s because you are more likely to use laser printer commands than
commands for dot matrix printers. (If you have software designed only
for dot matrix printers, you may have manuals for those printers anyway.)
We recommend you use LaserJet III emulation whenever possible, with
EX-800 emulation as your backup mode.
