PRTRLE
                           Version 2.0

                          Gene Pizzetta
                        December 26, 1990


PRTRLE is a ZCPR3 utility that prints high resolution Run Length 
Encoded (RLE) graphics files on Epson graphic printers.

USAGE:

     PRTASM {dir:}fn{.ft} {...} {/options}

A file list may be given, but at least one filename is required.  
If no filetype is given, "RLE" is assumed.  Names in the file 
list may be separated by any number of spaces and commas.  
Ambiguous filenames are not accepted, but will not abort the 
program.  If no DU or DIR specification is given, the current 
drive/user is assumed.

OPTIONS:  A leading slash is required.  If a filename is used 
that begins with a slash, it must be preceded by a DU 
specification.

     F    Send a form feed to the printer after each picture is 
          printed.  Normally, a form feed is sent after every 
          third picture so three pictures are printer per page.  
          This option actually toggles the default condition, 
          which can be changed with ZCNFG.

     H    Do not print filename header before printing each 
          picture.  This is useful for including pictures in 
          documents.  This option actually toggles the default 
          condition, which can be changed with ZCNFG.

Once printing has begun, pressing any key will cancel printing of 
the current picture file.  If the pressed key is ^C, PRTRLE will 
return to the operating system; otherwise, it will skip to the 
next file in the list and continue printing.

If a file cannot be found, or if an ambiguous file spec is 
encountered, PRTRLE will display an error message and then 
continue with the next file in the file list.  It will, however, 
set the program error flag on exit.

PRTRLE, with header suppressed, can be used to insert a picture 
into a text file, if the paper has been properly aligned.  Or, 
using the F option, a single picture can be printed on each page.

ERRORS:  Most error messages are self-explanatory.  However, if 
you print many RLE files, you will probably see "Non-standard RLE 
file" or "Unexpected end-of-file".  The first message means that 
PRTRLE has encountered an escape code in the file that it does 
not recognize.  The latter message indicates that a CP/M end-of- 
file character was encountered before the proper terminating 
escape sequence was found.  I have run into several RLE files 
that are terminated with an incorrect escape code or no code at 
all.  Usually the picture will be complete and the message can be 
considered informational only.  There may be times, however, that 
these messages mean something is wrong.

If an escape sequence indicates the RLE file contains medium- 
resolution graphics, PRTRLE will abort printing that file with a 
message.  Only high-resolution graphics can be printed.  Medium 
resolution graphics files are not supported, mainly because I 
haven't found any medium resolution files to experiment with.

CONFIGURATION:  PRTRLE configuration options can be easily set 
using ZCNFG and the accompanying PRTRLEnn.CFG file.  The name of 
the CFG file should not be changed, so that ZCNFG can always find 
it, even if you rename PRTRLE.

No provisions have been made for changing the printer strings 
because I have no idea how printers that are not Epson-compatible 
handle bit-mapped graphics.

For full details of the configuration options see the ZCNFG help 
screens.

RLE GRAPHICS FILES:  Run Length Encoding is a machine independent 
graphics standard that originated on CompuServe.  It pre-dates 
CIS's current GIF standard, but it is widely used because it is 
supported by more graphics programs running on more machines.  
RLE files are readily available on both CompuServe and GEnie, 
especially in the Macintosh and Commodore file areas.  Although 
the size of the data files vary with the complexity of the 
picture, the number of bytes generated is always the same.  The 
files were designed for screen display, but a printer will do in 
a pinch, as PRTRLE shows.

HISTORY:

Version 2.0 -- December 26, 1990 -- Gene Pizzetta
     Can't believe I never got around to converting this little 
     exercise from my Commodore 128 days.  Now it's a Z utility.  
     Eliminated several CP/M 3-specific BDOS calls.  Added DU 
     support.  Eliminated warm boot on exit.  Incorporated 
     library routines.  Translated to Zilog opcodes.  Added LST- 
     status check.  Now accepts a file list.  Aborts on ^C, but 
     any other key skips to next file.  Sets error flag.  Added 
     configuration bytes and command line options.  ZCNFG 
     configuration.  Epson-specific because I don't know how any 
     other printers handle graphics.

Version 1.1 -- September 20, 1987 -- Gene Pizzetta
     Added page numbering and boldfacing in header.

Version 1.0 -- September 17, 1987 -- Gene Pizzetta
     First release as CP/M-Plus utility.

     Gene Pizzetta
     481 Revere St.
     Revere, MA 02151

     Voice:  (617) 284-0891
     Newton Centre Z-Node:  (617) 965-7259
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