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

23-32 The Character Group EN
Figure 23-18Label Print Direction Rise and Run
To measure the run and rise, first draw a grid with the lines parallel to
the X- and Y-axis. The grid units should be the same size on all sides,
but their actual size is irrelevant. Then, draw a line parallel to the label
and one parallel to the X-axis. The lines should intersect to form an
angle.
Select a point on the open end of your angle (where another line
would create a triangle). On the line parallel to the X-axis, count the
number of grid units from the intersection of the two lines to your
selected point. This is the run. In the illustration above, the run is 8.5.
Now, count the number of units from your selected point along a
perpendicular line that intersects the line along the label. This is
the rise. In the illustration above, the rise is 4.9.
Your DI command using the run and rise is (DI8.5,4.9).
If you know the angle (
θ ), you can use the trigonometric functions
sine (sin) and cosine (cos). In this example,
θ = 30°, cos 30° = 0.866,
and sin 30° = 0.5.
Your DI command using the sine and cosine would be (DI.866,.5).
Whichever set of parameters you use, the label is drawn in the same
direction as shown in the previous illustration.