HP PCL/PJL reference (PCL 5 Printer Language) - Technical Reference Manual Part I

EN Introduction 14-1

PCL Rectangular

Area Fill Graphics

Introduction

The PCL language includes commands for filling or shading

rectangular areas on the page with pre-defined patterns, and

allows creation and use of user-defined patterns. Pre-defined

patterns include eight shading patterns and six cross-hatch

patterns.

Note User-defined patterns are not supported on all LaserJet family

printers. Refer to the “PCL Feature Support Matrix” in the PCL 5

Comparison Guide.

The first step in filling an area, if using a user-defined pattern,

is to download the pattern (see Chapter 13). Next, position the

cursor (using cursor move commands) and specify the dimension

of the area (using the horizontal and vertical rectangle size

commands). The cursor identifies the upper left corner of the

rectangular fill area. Once the rectangle size and position are

identified, select the specific pattern (shading level (Figure

14-1), cross-hatch pattern (Figure 14-2), or user-defined

pattern), to be used for filling the rectangular area. Finally the

command is issued to fill the defined rectangular area. Once a

user-defined pattern has been downloaded, the fill procedure

can be repeated as often as required.

Rectangular Area Fill Procedure

1 For user-defined patterns: if you have not done so already,

download the binary pattern data (User-Defined Pattern

Command -

*c#W - Chapter 13).

2 Position the cursor (choice of various cursor commands -

Chapter 6).