Subcommands

OFFSET Subcommand
OFFSET rel-x rel-y [rel-x rel-y]
Specifies the relative offset of the logical page for both the front and back pages in reference to the media origin. The media origin is printer dependent. For more information about media origin, see your printer publications.

If you specify offset values for the back of the page, you must also specify the front offset values.

    Note:
  1. The OFFSET subcommand does not affect the position of medium overlays.
  2. You may specify this offset as negative in order to crop the top and/or left of an image.
rel-x
Specifies the relative horizontal offset (negative or positive) of the logical page on the front or back side of the copy group relative to the media origin. The valid options for rel-x are described in the SETUNITS command for the horizontal value.

The default unit is:

  • Taken from the lastSETUNITS command
  • IN (inch) if no SETUNITS command has been issued

The default value is 0.1 IN.

rel-y
Specifies the relative vertical offset (negative or positive) for the logical page for the front or back side of the page. The valid options for rel-y are described in the SETUNITS command for the vertical value. The default unit is:
  • Taken from the last SETUNITS command
  • IN (inch) if no SETUNITS command has been issued

The default value is 0.1 IN.

Note: The vertical offset for the 3800 must be 0.5 inch or greater.
REPLACE Subcommand
REPLACE {NO | YES}
Specifies whether this form definition is to replace an existing one with the same resource name in the library.
YES
Replace an existing form definition of the same name in the library if there is one. If a form definition with the same name does not exist in the library, then store this form definition.
NO
Do not replace an existing form definition of the same name. If a form definition with the same name does not exist in the library, then store this form definition. This is the default.
BIN Subcommand
[BIN 1] | [BIN {n | MANUAL | ENVELOPE} 
   [MEDIANAME qstring] [COMPID m]]
Specifies the paper source. This subcommand should be used only for printers that have more than one paper source.
1
Selects the primary paper source.
n
Selects a paper source identified by an integer from 2–255. If the specified bin does not exist on your printer, the default paper source for that printer is used. For more information about paper sources on your printer, refer to your printer publications.
MANUAL
Selects manual feed as a paper source on those printers that support manual feed. For more information, refer to your printer publications.
ENVELOPE
Selects an envelope paper source on those printers that support this function. For more information, refer to your printer publications.
MEDIANAME
Selects a media source by specifying an agreed-upon name for the bin.
qstring
Up to 12 characters within single quotes, specifying the media source name. On some printers, this name is pre-set into the printer; on other printers, it can also be entered into the printer by the user. For a current list of the valid media names, see PPFA Media Names. Refer to your printer publications for further information.
COMPID
Selects a bin based on the component ID.
m
For a current list of component ids, see PPFA Media Names. Component ids from 12,288 to 268,435,455 are reserved for the user.
    Note:
  1. BIN selection is overridden by the printer if the form defined to each bin is the same form number. Only the primary bin is selected.
  2. The primary source usually contains either letter-size (U.S.) or A4 (I.S.O.) paper. Other paper sources are used for less common paper sizes (such as legal-size) and for special paper (such as colored stock or pre-printed letterhead on heavy bond).
  3. If duplexing is requested and you select from the front side from one bin and the back side from another bin, a warning message is issued and the printer takes the paper from the bin specified on the front side.
OUTBIN Subcommand
OUTBIN n
Specifies the destination bin number for any pages directed by this form definition. Copygroups and subgroups in this form definition that do not specify an output bin number inherit this one.
n
Specifies the output bin number.
CONSTANT Subcommand
CONSTANT {NO | BACK | FRONT | BOTH}
Specifies whether the constant-forms function is on or off and whether constant form is to be printed on the front or back sides of a sheet.
NO
Specifies that the constant forms function is off.
BACK
Specifies that a constant form is to be printed on the back side without variable data.
FRONT
Specifies that a constant form is to be printed on the front side without variable data.
BOTH
Specifies that a constant form is to be printed on both sides without variable data.
CUTSHEET Subcommand
CUTSHEET {NO | YES}
If you are using a cut-sheet printer, this subcommand specifies whether the medium orientation information is to be passed to that printer. The medium orientation information is coded using the DIRECTION subcommand, the PRESENT subcommand, or both, Not coding the CUTSHEET subcommand is equivalent to coding CUTSHEET NO.
NO
Specifies the rotation data is not to be passed unless, of course, N_UP is coded.
YES
Specifies the rotation data is to be passed.
    Note:
  1. As always: If you have a continuous form printer, the medium orientation information is passed. If you have a cut-sheet printer and N_UP is coded, the orientation information is passed. The default for a COPYGROUP for which no CUTSHEET subcommand is coded is to inherit the behavior of the FORMDEF.
  2. New: If you have a cut-sheet printer and CUTSHEET YES is coded, the orientation information is passed if you also have a level of print server that supports the CUTSHEET feature.
  3. In all cases: Before using this command, you must have a printer that allows its media origin to be changed.
DIRECTION Subcommand
DIRECTION {ACROSS | DOWN | REVERSE}
Determines, along with the PRESENT subcommand, how data is oriented on printers whose media origin can be changed. See the list of printers N_UP Printing.

If you are printing line data, you usually specify the same value for the DIRECTION subcommand as is specified for the DIRECTION subcommand in the page definition.

ACROSS
Specifies that the pages are formatted in the ACROSS printing direction.
DOWN
Specifies that the pages are formatted in the DOWN printing direction.
REVERSE
Specifies that the pages are formatted in the REVERSE printing direction.

If the DIRECTION subcommand is specified, you must specify the PRESENT subcommand. The default for DIRECTION is determined by the value specified for PRESENT.

The direction default of PORTRAIT is ACROSS; the direction default of LANDSCAPE is DOWN. If neither PRESENT nor DIRECTION is specified, the default is PRESENT PORTRAIT and DIRECTION ACROSS.

Here are some examples of FORMDEF finishing commands with PRESENT and DIRECTION:

FORMDEF fd00
    PRESENT portrait DIRECTION across ;
FORMDEF fd01
    PRESENT landscape DIRECTION across ;
FORMDEF fd02
    PRESENT portrait DIRECTION reverse ;
FORMDEF fd03
    PRESENT landscape DIRECTION reverse ;
FORMDEF fd04
    PRESENT portrait DIRECTION down ;
FORMDEFP fd05
    PRESENT landscape DIRECTION down ;

PRESENT Subcommand
PRESENT {PORTRAIT | LANDSCAPE}
Specifies, along with the DIRECTION subcommand, how the data is oriented on printers whose media origin can be changed.

The PRESENT and DIRECTION subcommands are only supported by cut-sheet printers when you specify the N_UP subcommand or the CUTSHEET subcommand with the YES parameter. See Figure N_UP 1 Partition Numbering, Front Sheet-Side through Figure N_UP 4 Partition Numbering, Front Sheet-Side to determine the effect of the PRESENT and DIRECTION subcommands when you use them with the N_UP subcommand.

PORTRAIT
Specifies that the pages are printed in the portrait page presentation, with their short edges at the top and bottom and their long edges at the sides.
LANDSCAPE
Specifies that the pages are printed in the landscape page presentation, with their long edges at the top and bottom and their short edges at the sides.

DUPLEX Subcommand
DUPLEX {NO | NORMAL | TUMBLE |RNORMAL | RTUMBLE}
Specifies whether printing is done on both sides of the sheet. This subcommand should be used only for page printers that have duplex capability.
NO
Duplex printing is not performed.
NORMAL
Duplex printing is performed, with the tops of both sides printed along the same edge for side binding.
TUMBLE
Duplex printing is performed with the top of one side and the bottom of the other printed along the same edge of the sheet for top binding.
RNORMAL
Rotated normal. Duplex printing is performed with the tops of both sides printed along the same edge. Used with landscape pages, N_UP 2, and N_UP 3.
RTUMBLE
Rotated tumble. Duplex printing is performed with the top of one side printed along the same edge of the sheet as the bottom of the other. Used with landscape pages, N_UP 2, and N_UP 3.
FINISH Subcommand
FINISH {SCOPE {PRINTFILE | ALL | n}[OPERATION Parameters]…
Specifies where the media should be stapled, folded, cut, or perforated.

This option is to be used only on a document, set of documents, or an entire print file. Finishing operations are device dependent; check your printer documentation before using the FINISH subcommand.

    Note:
  1. The FINISH operation is used for printers with finisher attachments.
  2. The finishing operation must be specified at least once, and may occur more than once. It specifies finishing operations to be applied to the collected media.
  3. If more than one finishing operation is specified, the operations are applied in the order in which they are specified. Identical finishing operations for the same SCOPE are not supported.
  4. FINISH positions are not affected by DIRECTION or PRESENT values.
  5. Changing the orientation of the medium presentation space does not change the finishing corners or edges.
  6. For continuous forms media, the carrier strips are not considered to be part of the physical media.
  7. For saddle stitch operation, the staples are placed along the center of the media, parallel to the reference edge. Any offset value is ignored. If no OPCOUNT or OPPOS values are specified, the device default count is used.
  8. User-specified OPCOUNT and OPPOS values are ignored for FOLD, CUT, or PERFORATE operations.
SCOPE
Determines how the finishing operation is applied.
Note: SCOPE can be repeated within a FINISH subcommand, but only one SCOPE of a particular type is allowed in each FORMDEF command. For example, only one SCOPE ALL is allowed in a FORMDEF FINISH command.
PRINTFILE
Determines that the specified finishing operations for the OPERATION subcommand are applied to the complete print file, excluding header pages, trailer pages, and message pages.
ALL
Determines that the specified finishing operations for the OPERATION subcommand are applied individually to all documents in the print file.
OPERATION Parameters
[[OPERATION CORNER AFP REFERENCE DEFAULT] | 
[OPERATION [AFP] {CFOLDIN | CORNER | CUT | EDGE | FOLD | PERFECTBIND | 
PERFORATE | PUNCH | RINGBIND | SADDLE[OUT] | SADDLEIN}
[More OPERATION parameters]
[UP3i XType {n | X'hh'}] [XOper {X'FFFF' | n | X'hhhh'}]
[More OPERATION parameters]]…]
Specifies the type of FINISH operation and parameters.
    Note:
  1. Compatible operations can be repeated with a specified SCOPE.
  2. Your print server may have a limit on the number of collection operations allowed at one time.
AFP
Specifies that these are Advanced Function Presentation (AFP) operations as defined in the Mixed Object Document Content Architecture Reference, SC31-6802 and the Intelligent Printer Data Stream Reference, S544-3417.
CFOLDIN
Center Fold In. Specifies that the media is folded inward along the center line that is parallel to the finishing operation axis. After this operation, the back side of the last sheet of the collection is outside. The OPCOUNT and OPPOS parameters are ignored for this operation. CFOLDIN is applied to collected media, not to individual media.
Note: The datastream pages must already be properly ordered for the CFOLDIN operation.
CORNER
Specifies that one staple is driven into the media at the reference corner (see REFERENCE parameter). For corner staples, the offset and angle of the staple from the selected corner is device dependent. The OPCOUNT and OPPOS parameters are ignored for this operation. This operation is applied to collected media, not to individual media.
CUT
Specifies that a separation cut is applied to the media along the axis of the finishing operation. The OPCOUNT and OPPOS parameters are ignored for this operation.
EDGE
Specifies that one or more staples are driven into the media along the axis of the finishing operation. This operation is applied to collected media, not to individual media.
FOLD
Specifies that the media is folded along the axis of the finishing operation. The folding is performed along the axis of the finishing operation. The OPOFFSET and OPPOS parameters are ignored for this operation. This operation is applied to collected media, not to individual media.
PERFECTBIND
This operation specifies a type of book binding that glues the sheets of the group together at the reference edge (spine). When you specify PERFECTBIND, the OPOFFSET, OPCOUNT, and OPPOS parameters are ignored.
PERFORATE
Specifies that a perforation cut is applied to the media along the axis of the finishing operation. The OPCOUNT and OPPOS parameters are ignored for this operation.
PUNCH
Specifies that one or more holes are to be punched or drilled into the media along the finishing axis. PUNCH is applied to collected media, not to individual media.
RINGBIND
This operation specifies a type of book binding when the sheets of the group are loosely connected at the reference edge (spine) by first drilling or punching a set of holes along the reference edge and then inserting a wire pattern through the holes. When you specify RINGBIND, the OPOFFSET, OPCOUNT, and OPPOS parameters are ignored.
SADDLE or SADDLEOUT
Specifies that one or more staples are driven into the media along the axis of the finishing operation, which is positioned at the center of the media, parallel to the reference edge (see REFERENCE parameter). The OPOFFSET parameter is ignored for this operation. This operation also includes a fold of the media outward along the finishing operation axis so that the front side of the first sheet in the collection is on the outside of the media collection. This operation is applied to collected media, not to individual media.
SADDLEIN
Specifies that one or more staples are driven into the media along the axis of the finishing operation, which is positioned at the center of the media, parallel to the reference edge (see REFERENCE parameter). The OPOFFSET parameter is ignored for this operation. This operation also includes a fold of the media inward along the finishing operation axis so that the front side of the first sheet in the collection is on the inside of the media collection. This operation is applied to collected media, not to individual media.
UP3i
Specifies that these operations will be passed to the printer using the Universal Printer Pre- and Post-Processing Interface (UP3i) finishing interface as specified in the Form Finishing Operation Triplet in the UP3i specification document. UP3i is an open standard intelligent interface intended for printers, pre-processors, post-processors, and other related applications.
    Note:
  1. To use this function you must have printer server support as well as an attached UP3i device for the specified operation.
  2. The complete UP3i specification document which includes the Form Finishing Operation Triplet is available at https://www.afpconsortium.org/uploads/1/1/8/4/118458708/up3i-v1.20-3rd-party-specification.pdf.
XType
Specifies the explicit value for the Finishing Operation Type in the UP3i Form Finishing Operation Triplet. Specify in hexadecimal or a decimal equivalent number the Finishing Operation Type. A value of 0 specifies a No Operation/Pass through paper operation. When 0 is coded in this field, the XOper field is ignored. Enter 2 hexadecimal digits or a decimal number less than or equal to 255.
XOper
Specifies the explicit value for the Finishing Operation or the Finishing Operation Parameter in the UP3i Form Finishing Operation Triplet. Specify in hexadecimal or a decimal equivalent number the Finishing Operation Type. A value of X'FFFF' specifies the device default operation for the specified finishing operation for the specified Finishing Operation Type in the XType parameter. Enter 4 hexadecimal digits or a decimal number less than or equal to 65535.
    Note:
  1. PPFA does not check that the XType, XOper, or operation parameters are contextually correct. This allows new UP3i operations and parameters to be coded without having to install a new PPFA module. However, it also allows contextually incorrect operation and parameter values to be entered.
  2. See Table XType and XOper values for values of XType and XOper.
More OPERATION Parameters
OPERATION [REFERENCE {DEFAULT | TOP | BOTTOM | LEFT | RIGHT | TOPLEFT | 
TOPRIGHT | BOTLEFT | BOTRIGHT}] [OPCOUNT n | OPPOS n…][OPOFFSET n
These operation parameters apply to both AFP and UP3i Operations with the noted exceptions.
REFERENCE
Selects the reference edge or corner for the finishing operation. The REFERENCE subcommand is optional and, when omitted, the DEFAULT attribute is the default.
DEFAULT
Specifies that the device default edge determines the reference edge.
TOP
Specifies that the reference is positioned along the top edge. This parameter can be used only for edge-type operations (for example, SADDLE, EDGE, FOLD, CFOLDIN, PUNCH, SADDLEIN, CUT, PERFORATE).
BOTTOM
Specifies that the reference edge is positioned along the bottom edge. This parameter can be used only for edge-type operations.
LEFT
Specifies that the reference edge is positioned along the left edge. This parameter can be used only for edge-type operations.
RIGHT
Specifies that the reference edge is positioned along the right edge. This parameter can be used only for edge-type operations.
TOPLEFT
Specifies that the reference corner is positioned at the top in the left corner. This parameter can be used only for CORNER operations.
TOPRIGHT
Specifies that the reference corner is positioned at the top in the right corner. This REFERENCE parameter can be used only for CORNER operations.
BOTLEFT
Specifies that the reference corner is positioned at the bottom in the left corner. This REFERENCE parameter can be used only for CORNER operations.
BOTRIGHT
Specifies that the reference corner is positioned at the bottom in the right corner. This REFERENCE parameter can be used only for CORNER operations.
OPCOUNTn
Use OPCOUNT to request a specific number of finishing operations; valid values are 1-122. Do not specify OPPOS values with OPCOUNT. If OPPOS is specified for corner staple, separation cut, perforation cut, or fold, this OPCOUNT value is ignored. The printer determines the positions of the operations. The default is 0 (zero).
OPPOSn
Use OPPOS to specify the offset of finishing operations along the finishing operations axis measured from the point where the finishing operation axis intersects the bottom edge or left edge of the medium toward the center of the medium. Each consecutive OPPOS parameter is used to position a single finishing operation centered on the specified point on the finishing operation axis.

For AFP the sub-parameter is an integer value in the range of 0–32,767 specified in millimeters.

For UP3i the sub-parameter is an integer value in the range of 0 to 999999999 specified in millipoints (1/72000 inch).

Do not specify the unit of measure. Do not specify OPCOUNT when you use OPPOS. If OPPOS is specified for corner staple, fold, separation cut, or perforation cut, the OPCOUNT value is ignored.

OPOFFSET n
Specifies the offset of finishing operation axis from the reference edge measured from the reference edge toward the center of the medium.

For AFP the sub-parameter is an integer value in the range of 0–32,767 specified in millimeters.

For UP3i the sub-parameter is an integer value in the range of 0 to 999999999 specified in millipoints (1/72000 inch).

Do not specify OPOFFSET for corner staple or saddle stitch; the corner staple or saddle stitch values are ignored when specified with OPOFFSET.

Examples of Specifying Finishing Operations
To request scope as the entire print job with one corner staple in the top left corner, specify:
FINISH SCOPE PRINTFILE OPERATION CORNER REFERENCE TOPLEFT;

You can specify multiple finishing operations. To request that the fifth document in the job stream be finished using top left corner staple and the ninth document be edge stitched only at the print default location, specify:

FINISH SCOPE 5
         OPERATION CORNER
         REFERENCE TOPLEFT
SCOPE 9
         OPERATION EDGE;

The following example requests that SCOPE 5 (the fifth document in the job stream):

  • Use the UP3i interface, be punched at the device default reference edge, and offset using the device default number and type of holes.
  • Use the normal AFP interface to staple the top-left corner.
It also requests that SCOPE 9 (the ninth document in the job stream):
  • Use the UP3i interface to be trimmed on the front.
  • Use the normal AFP interface to be edge stitched at the printer default location and offset using the device default number and type of staples.
FORMDEF FinSm2 Replace Yes
   FINISH
      SCOPE 5 OPERATION UP3i XType X'0A'
              OPERATION      CORNER REFERENCE TOPLEFT
      SCOPE 9 OPERATION UP3i XType 6 XOper 1
              OPERATION AFP EDGE;

Finishing Operation Nesting Rules
When more than one finishing operation involving a collection of media is specified for some portion of the print file, a nesting of the operations is defined first by the scope of the operation and second by the order of the operation in the data stream.

Finishing operations with a broader scope are nested outside of finishing operations with a narrower scope. The following scopes are listed in descending order:

  1. Print-file level finishing (SCOPE PRINTFILE)
  2. Document-level finishing, each document in the print file (SCOPE ALL)
  3. Document-level finishing, a selected document in the PRINTFILE (SCOPEn)
  4. Medium-map-level finishing, a collection of sheets (SCOPE BEGCOLL)

Finishing Operation Implementation Note
For some printers, the JOG function cannot be combined with a finishing operation. In this case, the JOG function is ignored. Check your printer documentation.
ADJUST Subcommand
ADJUST n
Establishes the range of horizontal adjustment for the print area on the sheet.
n
The adjustment range can be set from 0 to 20 L-units. The default is 0. After a value is set, it is the maximum amount available in both directions, plus and minus.
    Note:
  1. If you specify ADJUST, the maximum logical page size (in the horizontal direction) is reduced by the amount you specified here.
  2. The ADJUSTn subcommand used only on the IBM 3800 printers.
INVOKE Subcommand
INVOKE {SHEET | NEXT | FRONT | BACK}
Specifies where the next page of data is placed when this copy group is activated by conditional processing or by an Invoke Medium Map structured field.

INVOKE SHEET, which is the default, places the next page of data on a new sheet. The NEXT, FRONT, and BACK parameters place the next page in a subsequent partition on the same sheet or, if no partitions are available, on the next sheet. If FRONT or BACK is specified, INVOKE selects only partitions on the front or back, respectively.

The print server honors the NEXT, FRONT, and BACK values of the INVOKE subcommand only if the new copy group has the same medium modifications as the previous copy group. Some examples of medium modifications are duplexing, input bin, output bin, page offset, N_UP values, presentation, direction, medium (not page) overlays, text suppression, processing functions, print quality, finishing, jogging, and constant forms control. See the Media Eject Control Triplet (X'45') section in the Mixed Object Document Content Architecture Reference, SC31–6802 for a full description of the factors that allow a conditional eject to the next partition instead of the next sheet.

If any of these modifications differ, the print server ejects to a new sheet when the copy group is invoked. If you want to change overlays when ejecting to a new partition, use page overlays instead of medium overlays. See Medium Overlays and Page Overlays for information about page and medium overlays.

When you use PLACE subcommands, the NEXT, FRONT, and BACK parameters place the next page using the next sequential PLACE subcommand that matches the requirement (next, front, or back). For example, if you print using the second PLACE subcommand of copy group A, and then you change to copy group B, you start with the third PLACE subcommand of copy group B.

A CONSTANT parameter on the PLACE subcommand does not alter the selection process. The selection is complete, even though the selected PLACE subcommand does not place the data. N_UP performs the constant modification and continues until it finds a PLACE subcommand that does not specify CONSTANT. The data is placed with this subcommand. Observe that this PLACE subcommand need not match the FRONT or BACK specifications of the INVOKE subcommand.

SHEET
Specifies that data be placed in the first selected partition of the sheet.
NEXT
Specifies that data be placed in the next selected partition.
FRONT
Specifies that data be placed in the next selected front partition.
BACK
Specifies that data be placed in the next selected back partition.

JOG Subcommand
 JOG {YES | NO}
Specifies whether a JOG subcommand is sent to the printer when this FORMDEF is selected by an IMM structured field, or through conditional processing. When the JOG subcommand is sent, a printer either offsets (jogs) or prints copymarks. For cut-sheet printers, or for continuous-forms printers with burster-trimmer-stacker enabled, the JOG subcommand causes the first sheet controlled by this FORMDEF to be stacked offset from the previous sheets. For continuous forms printers without a burster-trimmer-stacker, the JOG subcommand causes an increment in the copymark printed on the carrier strip. JOG subcommands also are sent to the printer at the beginning of each data set or at the beginning of each job, depending on host parameters. For more information about copymarks, see the system programming guide for your host print server.
YES
Specifies that a JOG subcommand be sent to the printer. The first sheet printed is offset or the copymark is incremented.
NO
Specifies that no JOG subcommand be sent to the printer. The first sheet printed is not offset; the copymark is not incremented.
QUALITY Subcommand
QUALITY n
Specifies the print quality. This subcommand is recognized only on printers that can produce more than one level of print quality. The default is determined by the printer model. (On some printers, the default may be set at the printer itself.) For more information, refer to your printer publications.
n
You can select a level of print quality by entering any whole number from 1 to 10. Higher numbers correspond to higher levels of print quality; lower numbers correspond to lower levels. For more information, refer to your printer publications.

Print quality is determined by a numerical code in the range of 1 to 254 (hexadecimal X'01'–X'FE'). The codes corresponding to the possible QUALITY parameters are:

  • 1 = 15 (X'0F')
  • 2 = 40 (X'28')
  • 3 = 65 (X'41')
  • 4 = 90 (X'5A')
  • 5 = 115 (X'73')
  • 6 = 140 (X'8C')
  • 7 = 165 (X'A5')
  • 8 = 190 (X'BE')
  • 9 = 215 (X'D7')
  • 10 = 240 (X'F0')

CMRTAGFIDELITY Subcommand
CMRTAGFIDELITY {STOP | {CONTINUE | {NOREPORT | REPORT}

Specify the exception continuation and reporting rules for Color management resource (CMR) tag exceptions.

Note: See AFP Color Management for more information about using the CMRTAGFIDELITY subcommand.
STOP
The CMR Tag exception rule is “Stop presentation at point of first CMR tag exception and report the exception.
CONTINUE
The CMR Tag exception rule is “Do not stop presentation because of CMR tag exceptions and do one of the following:
NOREPORT
Do not report the CMR tag exception to the print server. This is the default if neither NOREPORT nor REPORT is coded.
REPORT
Report the CMR tag exception.
PROCESSING Subcommand
PROCESSING [MEDIA_INFO {n… | PERFORATE| CUT}]…
Specifies additional post-processing capabilities for selected printers and attached equipment. This option can only be used on a single sheet or collection of sheets. This subcommand expects 1 to 3 of the following keywords:
MEDIA_INFOn
This parameter specifies the ID of fixed medium information that a printer or printer-attached device applies to a sheet. Examples include color plates logos, letter heads, and other fixed images.

The numeric values that can be included are:

0–254
These numeric values select a particular fixed medium local ID that the printer or printer-attached device applies to a sheet. One or more IDs can be specified within this range.
255
This value selects all the current fixed medium local IDs that the printer or printer-attached devices applies to a sheet.

PERFORATE
Specifies a perforation cut at one or more fixed locations on the sheet according to the printer or printer-attached device.
CUT
Specifies a separation cut at one or more fixed locations on the sheet according to the printer or printer-attached device.
COMMENT Subcommand
COMMENT qstring
Specifies a string comment. Use COMMENT to mark a form definition with a user comment. The string is placed in the NOP structured field of the form definition.
qstring
Specifies a quoted set of strings up to a total of 255 characters.
Note: In PPFA, a keyword or parameter (token) cannot extend across a line. Therefore, you must break the string into several strings in order to have a comment string that is longer than what fits on one line. Each string must be a complete token with beginning and ending quotes. For example:
FORMDEF replace yes
COMMENT 'first line of comment'
     'second line of comment';
PPFA composes the comment to be:
first line of comment second line of comment
and places it in a separate NOP structured field in the form definition.
COMPATPGP1 Subcommand
COMPATPGP1
Specifies that a Page Position structured field of type Format-1 (PGP-1) will be generated when a PGP of type Format-2 (PGP-2) is not required. A PGP-1 will be generated when all of the following conditions exist:
  • The keyword COMPATPGP1 is coded on the form definition.
  • The form definition is simplex.
  • The form definition is not enhanced N_UP (with the PLACE subcommand).
  • The form definition is not simple N_UP (with the PARTITION subcommand).
Note: If it does not matter which internal structures PPFA uses, you do not need to use this function.
COMPIS3 Subcommand
COMPIS3
Specifies if the form definition created is compatible with the rules of MO:DCA Interchange Set 3, called IS/3. This parameter tells PPFA to use structured fields contained in IS/3 and to report errors for those PPFA parameters specified which are not compatible with IS/3.

Certain structured fields and keywords not compatible with the rules of the MO:DCA Interchange Set 3 are not allowed in the form definition. The following table indicates which PPFA parameters are not compatible with the rules of IS/3 and result in the error situations when COMPIS3 is requested. To use the function associated with these parameters, do not specify COMPIS3 on the FORMDEF command.

PPFA Parameters that Are Not Compatible with the Rules of IS/3

PPFA Command Parameter
FORMDEF ADJUST
COMPATPGP1
FINISH UP3i
FONTFID
PROCESSING
QUALITY
TONERSAVER
COPYGROUP ADJUST
FINISH UP3i
PROCESSING
QUALITY
OVERLAY RASTER
RENDER MONOCH
SUBGROUP FLASH

Follow these steps to update an existing form definition to IS/3 format:

  1. Add COMPIS3 to the FORMDEF command.
  2. Remove any parameters that are not compatible with IS/3 or that appear as IS/3 errors in the listing file messages.
  3. Compile the form definition source using PPFA.
Note: PPFA does not make these changes directly when COMPIS3 is specified.

PELSPERINCH Subcommand
PELSPERINCH n
Specifies the Logical Units in pels per inch for this form definition. Use the PELSPERINCH parameter to tell PPFA the pel resolution of your printer to generate more exact object placements.
n
Specifies an integer number between 1 and 3,276. This value determines the Logical Units in pels per inch.
Note: If the L-Units are not specified on the copy group, they are inherited from the form definition.

PELSPERINCH Example

FORMDEF xmp01 replace yes
   PELSPERINCH 300 ;

   COPYGROUP C1
      offset 2 in 3 in;

   COPYGROUP C2
      offset 2 in 3 in
      PELSPERINCH 1200;

In Figure PELSPERINCH Example, the form definition xmp01 has specified L-Units as 300 pels per inch. Because the COPYGROUP C1 does not specify L-Units, it inherits 300 pels per inch. COPYGROUP C2 does specify L-Units as 1200 pels per inch.

The code in COPYGROUP C1 (offset 2 in 3 in) produces internal and structured field values for x and y of 600 and 900, whereas in COPYGROUP C2 the same code produces values of 2400 and 3600, because of the difference in L-Units.

BINERROR Subcommand
BINERROR {STOP | CONTINUE}
Tells the printer whether or not you wish to stop printing if the wrong media is loaded on the printer or the bin number is not found.

This subcommand is displayed only on the FORMDEF command, not the COPYGROUP or the SUBGROUP commands, because the scope of the subcommand is throughout the form definition. Printing control is based on the status of the media loaded as it pertains to the BIN subcommand in effect at the time.

STOP
If the specified input bin is in error, stop the print job and hold it in a state from which it can be resubmitted.
CONTINUE
If the specified input bin is in error, continue printing using the printer default input bin.
COLORVALUERR Subcommand
COLORVALUERR {STOP | CONTINUE [NOREPORT | REPORT]}
Specifies what the printer should do when the form definition contains color values that the printer cannot render exactly as specified.
STOP
Specifies that an error should be issued by the printer and the job terminated if the printer encounters a color exception. A color exception occurs if the color specification in the data stream cannot be rendered as specified. Also, a color exception occurs if the host print server supports color fidelity and the target printer does not.
CONTINUE
Specifies that an exception condition should be ignored. Also, the printer substitutes colors for any that it cannot render, and the job continues.
NOREPORT
Specifies that the printer should not report the error. NOREPORT is the default if COLORVALUERR CONTINUE is coded and neither REPORT nor NOREPORT is coded.
REPORT
Specifies that the printer should report the error.
Note: When the printer encounters a color value exception, the following actions are taken:
  • If the print server and the printer both support color fidelity and the COLORVALUERR subcommand is coded, printing stops or continues as previously described.
  • If the print server and the printer both support color fidelity and the COLORVALUERR subcommand is not coded, the print server instructs the printer to reset to defaults at the beginning of the job.
  • If the print server supports color fidelity, but the printer does not, the following rules apply:
    • If no COLORVALUERR subcommand is coded, printing continues. However, color exception errors are reported and ignored.
    • If the COLORVALUERR subcommand is not coded, you could receive print server errors or the command could be ignored, depending on the level of PSF you have installed and your platform (for example, OS/390, VM, and so on).
  • If the printer supports color fidelity, but the print server does not, the following rules apply:
    • If no COLORVALUERR subcommand is coded, printing continues. Color exception errors are reported and ignored.
    • If either COLORVALUERR STOP or COLORVALUERR CONTINUE NOREPORT is coded, the print server issues an error and stops printing, even if there is no color exception error.
    • If COLORVALUERR CONTINUE REPORT is coded, printing continues. Color exception errors are reported and ignored.
FINERROR Subcommand
FINERROR {STOP | CONTINUE [NOREPORT | REPORT]}

If both the host PSF and target printer support finishing fidelity, the FINERROR subcommand on the FORMDEF command lets you control job continuation and error reporting. If a form definition requests a finishing operation that is not available with the printer, you may request that the job continue processing or cause it to stop printing.

FINERROR only covers operations that the printer cannot process; for example, a stapling operation has been specified on a device that is not equipped with a stapler. It does not cover temporary exceptions that require operator intervention, such as an empty stapler.

STOP
Specifies that the job should be terminated when the printer detects a finishing exception. A finishing exception that stops presentation is reported and the print file is held to be resubmitted when the finishing operation can be performed.
CONTINUE
Specifies that an exception condition should be ignored and that the job should continue without applying the unavailable finishing operation.
NOREPORT
Specifies that the printer should not report the error. NOREPORT is the default if FINERROR CONTINUE is coded and neither REPORT nor NOREPORT is coded.
REPORT
Specifies that the printer should report the error.
Note: When the printer encounters a finishing exception, the following actions are taken:
  • If the print server and the printer both support finishing fidelity and the FINERROR subcommand is coded, printing stops or continues as previously described.
  • If the print server and the printer both support finishing fidelity and the FINERROR subcommand is not coded, the job is printed and the finishing operations that cannot be performed are not applied. Finishing exceptions are reported.
  • If the print server supports finishing fidelity, but the printer does not, the following rules apply:
    • If you specify FINERROR STOP, the print server issues an error message and stops processing.
    • If you specify FINERROR CONTINUE, the print server prints the job and either issues a message if REPORT is specified or does not issue a message if NOREPORT is specified
  • If the print server does not support finishing fidelity, the job is printed and the finishing operations that cannot be performed are not applied. Finishing exceptions are reported.

FINERROR Examples

FORMDEF xmp01 FINERROR STOP REPLACE YES;
   Copygroup X … ;

FORMDEF xmp02 FINERROR Continue NoReport;
   Copygroup Y … ;

Assuming that both the print server and the printer support finishing fidelity:

  • In the first example, FORMDEF xmp01 specifies a STOP parameter. If the specified finishing operation is not available, the printer reports an error, does not print the job, and places the job on hold to be resubmitted when the finishing operation can be performed.
  • In the second example, FORMDEF xmp02 specifies a CONTINUE NOREPORT parameter. If a specified finishing operation is not available, the printer continues processing the print job without applying the unavailable finishing operation or reporting the error.

FONTFID Subcommand
FONTFID {NO | YES}
Indicates to the print server whether the form definition honors the fidelity of the specified fonts when a raster font of a specified resolution and metric-technology cannot be found on the printer. In order to get the print server to honor this command you also must specify font resolution either on the FONT command or externally (for example, in the JCL). Not coding FONTFID isequivalent to coding FONTFID NO.
NO
Specifies that the print server will not enforce font fidelity. The print server does not check for a match of the specified resolution and metric with the font found on the system.
YES
Specifies that no substitution is allowed and the print server issues an error message if it cannot find the font that matches the specified resolution and metric.
    Note:
  1. The FONTFID subcommand is designed to be used with the RESOLUTION and METRICTECHNOLOGY subcommands on the FONT command. These subcommands rigorously specify the font characteristics.
  2. The FONTFID subcommand assists the user who has created a form definition and page definition for printing with a raster font on a printer of one resolution (for example, a 240-pel printer), and has moved that application to a printer of another resolution (for example, a 300-pel printer). When the print server cannot match the raster font, it substitutes an outline font, which often causes the placed text to overflow or underflow the intended space on the page. If this happens, the user can specify the actual metric and resolution of the font being used to print the text and also specify FONTFID YES, so that the print server would not substitute another font.
TONERSAVER Subcommand
TONERSAVER {DEVSETTING | OFF | ON}

Specifies whether or not the printer's toner saver mode should be activated.

DEVSETTING
Use the printer setting.
OFF
Do not activate toner saver mode.
ON
Activate toner saver mode.
    Note:
  1. Not all printers support toner saver mode. Check the printer’s documentation.
  2. Activating toner saver mode can degrade print quality and performance.
  3. OFF and ON override any QUALITY parameters.
N_UP Subcommand
N_UP {1 | 2 | 3 | 4] [OVERLAY Subcommand… | PLACE Subcommand…]
Specifies the number of equal-size partitions into which the sheet is divided. See the list of printers that support the N_UP subcommand.

If you do not specify the N_UP subcommand in the COPYGROUP command, the N_UP subcommand from the FORMDEF command is the default for the COPYGROUP command. You can mix N_UP printing and non-N_UP printing by specifying or not specifying the N_UP subcommand in each copy group and by not specifying N_UP in the FORMDEF command.

OVERLAY Subcommand on N_UP Subcommand
OVERLAY name][rel-x rel-y][PARTITION]
[OVROTATE {0 | 90 | 180 | 270}][PFO]
Note: This OVERLAY subcommand cannot be specified if the PLACE subcommand is specified. Use the OVERLAY parameter of the PLACE subcommand instead.
name
Specifies the user access name (up to six characters) of an overlay to be placed with every page in each of the N_UP partitions.
    Note:
  1. The prefix O1 is not part of the six-character user-access name. The overlay name can be an alphanumeric.
  2. This name is not related to names as defined on the OVERLAY command.
rel-xrel-y
Specifies the horizontal and vertical adjustment to the position of the overlay. This is in addition to any offset values built into the overlay. The x and y values may be positive (+) or negative (-). You can specify them in inches (IN), millimeters (MM), centimeters (CM), POINTS, or PELS. If you do not specify a unit value, PPFA uses the unit value specified in the last SETUNITS command or uses a default unit value of inches.
PARTITION
Specifies that the overlay is to be placed relative to the partition origin.
OVROTATE
Specifies the rotation of the placed overlay with respect to the x-axis of the page.
Example:
Assuming the overlay has ( 0,0 ) placement coordinates, this causes page overlay O1x2 to be placed 1.5 inches to the right and 2.7 inches below the beginning of the page and rotated 90 degrees clockwise with respect to the page.
Formdef xmp1
     N_UP 1   PLACE 1 FRONT
              OVERLAY x2  1.5 in  2.7 in
              OVROTATE 90;
PFO
Specifies that this overlay is invoked as a PMC Printed Form Overlay. Only one PFO is allowed in an N_UP command.
PLACE Subcommand
PLACE n [FRONT | BACK] [CONSTANT] 
[OFFSET rel-x rel-y] 
Overlay Subcommand
[ROTATION {0 | 90 | 180 | 270}]
[VIEW {YES | NO}]

Places a page of data or a constant modification relative to a partition. Each PLACE subcommand specifies the number n of a partition on either the front or back side of the sheet. You must specify the same number of PLACE subcommands as the number of partitions on the sheet. The sequence of the PLACE subcommands is the sequence in which incoming pages are placed in the partitions.

    Note:
  1. The use of the PLACE subcommand indicates enhanced N_UP printing.
  2. The PLACE subcommand is valid only on printers that support enhanced N_UP printing. If PLACE is not specified, pages are placed in partitions in the default partition sequence.
n
Specifies the numbered partition (1–4) into which the page of data is placed. See N_UP 1 Partition Numbering, Front Sheet-Side through N_UP 4 Partition Numbering, Front Sheet-Side for the locale of each numbered partition.
FRONT
Specifies that this partition be placed on the front side of the sheet. This is the default.
BACK
Specifies that this partition be placed on the back side of the sheet.
CONSTANT
Specifies that no page data is placed by this PLACE subcommand.

Use CONSTANT when you are placing overlays without user's data or are placing fewer data pages on the sheet than the number of partitions specified in the N_UP subcommand.

For an example of using the CONSTANT parameter with overlays and to understand how the ordering of the PLACE subcommand affects overlays, see Enhanced N_UP Example 3: Asymmetric Pages.

OFFSET
Specifies a relative offset of the page horizontally (x) and vertically (y) from the partition origin.
rel-xrel-y
The default value is 0.1 inch for both x and y offsets. This OFFSET parameter overrides any other OFFSET parameters specified on the FORMDEF or COPYGROUP command. You can specify the units in inches (in), millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), points, or pels. If you do not specify a unit value, PPFA uses the unit value specified in the last SETUNITS command or uses a default unit value of inches.
Note: You may specify this offset as negative in order to crop the top and/or left of an image.
OVERLAY Subcommand on PLACE Subcommand
OVERLAY name][rel-x rel-y][PARTITION]
[OVROTATE {0 | 90 | 180 | 270}][PFO]
Specifies the user access name (up to six characters) of an overlay to be placed with this PLACE subcommand. The overlay is placed relative to the page origin or, if the PARTITION keyword is specified, to the partition origin. You can specify multiple OVERLAY parameters in each PLACE subcommand.
rel-xrel-y
Specifies the horizontal and vertical adjustment to the position of the overlay. This is in addition to any offset values built into the overlay. The x and y values may be positive (+) or negative (-). You can specify them in inches (in), millimeters (mm), centimeters (cm), points, or pels. If you do not specify a unit value, PPFA uses the unit value specified in the last SETUNITS command or uses a default value of inches.
PARTITION
Specifies that the previous offset is from the partition origin. If not present, the offset is from the page origin, which is subject to the OFFSET parameter.
OVROTATE {0 | 90 | 180 | 270}
Specifies the rotation of the placed overlay with respect to the X-axis of the page.
PFO
Specifies that this overlay is invoked as a PMC Printed Form Overlay. Only one PFO is allowed in a PLACE.
ROTATION {0 | 90 | 180 | 270}
Specifies the clockwise rotation of the page and associated page overlays placed by this PLACE command.

Rotation turns the page and its associated page overlays around their fixed origin points. If you rotate the page without moving its origin point, you might rotate it off the physical medium. To prevent this, always offset the page origin to the place you want it to be for the rotated page, as shown in the next figure.

Offsetting the Page Origin for Rotated Pages

Offsetting the Page Origin for Rotated Pages
VIEW
Determines if this N_UP PLACE page is viewable. VIEW is relevant only when the page is being presented on a display. VIEW is ignored if the page is being printed. If VIEW is not coded, it is equivalent to specifying VIEW YES.
YES
Specifies that this N_UP page is viewable and is presented.
NO
Specifies that this N_UP page is not to be presented.

VFYSETUP or VFYSETUPD Subcommand
[VFYSETUP verificationID… | VFYSETUPD decimal_verificationID…]
Use VFYSETUP or VFYSETUPD to propagate the setup IDs to all medium maps (copygroups) in the form definition.
Note: Before using these subcommands, verify that your print server supports FORMDEF setup verification.
verificationID
One or more 2-character (4-digit hexadecimal) identifiers that match the setup verification IDs defined at the printer operator's console for the specific print job. For example, if the setup verification IDs defined at the printer are X'012F', X'0521', and X'938A', specify the following:
FORMDEF vfy7 REPLACE YES VFYSETUP 012F 0521 938A;
decimal_verificationID
One or more decimal numbers that match the setup verification IDs defined at the printer operator's console for the specific print job. For example, if the setup verification IDs defined at the printer are 303, 1313, and 37770, specify the following:
FORMDEF vfy7 REPLACE YES VFYSETUPD 303 1313 37770;

When the print server processes the print job, it compares the setup verification IDs in the form definition to the IDS that are active in the printer. If the active IDs in the printer do not match the IDs required by the form definition, or if the printer does not support FORMDEF setup verification IDs, the job is held.

TEXTERROR Subcommand
TEXTERROR {STOP | CONTINUE [NOREPORT | REPORT]}
Specifies what happens when the printer encounters a text exception (a text control sequence that it doesn't recognize). Make sure that the printer and print server both support text fidelity before you use this subcommand.
STOP
The printer terminates the job and reports the text exception. The print file is put into a state where it can be resubmitted when the text can be rendered without exceptions.
CONTINUE
The printer skips the text control sequence that it does not recognize and continues processing the print job.
NOREPORT
The printer does not report the error. This is the default.
REPORT
The printer reports the error.
Form-size Parameters
[XMSIZE x [units]]
[YMSIZE y [units]]
Specifies the medium presentation space (also known as the medium size or form length and form width).
    Note:
  1. This function requires both printer server and printer support. See your print server and printer documentation.
  2. The printer will not adjust the size of your media-presentation space to be larger than the paper size (or what has been defined in the printer as the paper size).
  3. Some printers (such as the InfoPrint 1145 and the InfoPrint 4100) do not support the IPDS Set Media Size (SMS) command. The form size cannot be set with the form definition. Do not use the XMSIZE and YMSIZE subcommands for those printers that do not support the SMS commands.
  4. Other printers (such as the 6400, 4247, and 4230) do not support the Set Media Origin (SMO) command. The media origin does not change. For the 6400, 4247, and 4230 printers form length is always YMSIZE and form width is always XMSIZE.
  5. For all other printers, use the settings shown in Table Form Length (LEN) and Form Width (WID). For these other printers, whether the XMSIZE or YMSIZE is actually form length or form width depends on the medium presentation space orientation, type of form, and N_UP setting. The following examples are from Table Form Length (LEN) and Form Width (WID). See the table for other media combinations.
    • Wide fanfold paper, PRESENT=Landscape, DIRECTION=ACROSS, and no-NUP - The form length is YMSIZE.
    • Narrow fanfold paper, PRESENT=Landscape, DIRECTION=ACROSS, and no-NUP - The form length is XMSIZE.
    • Cutsheet paper, PRESENT=Landscape, DIRECTION=ACROSS, and no -NUP - The form length is XMSIZE.
  6. There are only two choices. If you try one that doesn't work, try the other. For example, if you try XMSIZE for the form length and it doesn't create a longer form, use YMSIZE.
XMSIZE
This specifies the medium presentation space along the X-axis (also known as the medium's size in the X-direction). If this subcommand is specified on the FORMDEF command, it becomes the default for all copygroups which do not specify XMSIZE on the COPYGROUP command. If this subcommand is not specified on the FORMDEF command, the printer's current default X-axis becomes the default for all copygroups which do not specify XMSIZE on the COPYGROUP command.
x
Enter a number with 0 to 3 decimal places and optional units.
YMSIZE
This specifies the medium presentation space along the Y-axis (also known as the medium's size in the Y-direction). If this subcommand is specified on the FORMDEF command, it becomes the default for all copygroups which do not specify YMSIZE on the COPYGROUP command. If this subcommand is not specified on the FORMDEF command, the printer's current default Y-axis becomes the default for all copygroups which do not specify YMSIZE on the COPYGROUP command.
y
Enter a number with 0 to 3 decimal places and optional units.
units
Enter IN for inches, CM for centimeters, MM for millimeters, or PELS for pels. If units is not specified, the default is to the most recent setting of the SETUNITS command or inches if no SETUNITS command is coded.

Form Length (LEN) and Form Width (WID)

CUTSHEET and NARROW FANFOLD PAPER
DIRECTION ACROSS DOWN REVERSE
PRESENT Portrait Landscape Portrait Landscape Portrait Landscape
  LEN WID LEN WID LEN WID LEN WID LEN WID LEN WID
No NUP Ym Xm Xm Ym Xm Ym Ym Xm Ym Xm Xm Ym
1-UP Ym Xm Xm Ym Xm Ym Ym Xm Ym Xm Xm Ym
2-UP Xm Ym Ym Xm Ym Xm Xm Ym Xm Ym Ym Xm
3-UP Xm Ym Ym Xm Ym Xm Xm Ym Xm Ym Ym Xm
4-UP Ym Xm Xm Ym Xm Ym Ym Xm Ym Xm Xm Ym
WIDE FANFOLD PAPER
DIRECTION ACROSS DOWN REVERSE
PRESENT Portrait Landscape Portrait Landscape Portrait Landscape
  LEN WID LEN WID LEN WID LEN WID LEN WID LEN WID
No NUP Xm Ym Ym Xm Ym Xm Xm Ym Xm Ym Ym Xm
1-UP Xm Ym Ym Xm Ym Xm Xm Ym Xm Ym Ym Xm
2-UP Ym Xm Xm Ym Xm Ym Ym Xm Ym Xm Xm Ym
3-UP Ym Xm Xm Ym Xm Ym Ym Xm Ym Xm Xm Ym
4-UP Xm Ym Ym Xm Ym Xm Xm Ym Xm Ym Ym Xm

Code Examples

FORMDEF FMSZX1   Replace Yes
    PRESENT Landscape Direction Across
    XMSIZE 8.5 in YMSIZE 11.0 in;
 COPYGROUP cp1;
 COPYGROUP cp2;

FORMDEF FMSZX2   Replace Yes YMSIZE 17.0 in;
 COPYGROUP cp3;
 COPYGROUP cp4;

In the previous example:

  • The printer is a 4400 thermal printer which supports both SMS and SMO IPDS commands. The form definition named FMSZX1 defines a form length of 8.5 inches and form width of 11.0 inches. Copygroups cp1 and cp2 inherit those sizes from the form definition.
  • The printer is a 6400 printer and you want to define the form length. The form definition named FMSZX2 defines form length as 17 inches and leaves the form width as the printer default. Copygroups cp3 and cp4 inherit those sizes from the form definition.
  • If this is run on an MVS platform which has FORMLEN defined in the JCL, the JCL definition is used.