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Every effort has been made to ensurethat the information in this document iscomplete, accurate, and up-to-date. OKIDATA assumes no responsibility for theresults of errors beyond its control. OKIDATA also cannot guarantee thatchanges in software and equipmentmade by other manufacturers andreferred to in this guide will not affectthe applicability of the information in it.Mention of software productsmanufactured by other companies doesnot necessarily constitute endorsementby OKI DATA.Copyright 1999 by OKI DATA. All rightsreserved.

First edition, December 1999.Written and produced by the OKI DATATraining and Publications Dept.Please address any comments to:

Training and Publications DepartmentOKI DATA2000 Bishops Gate BoulevardMount Laurel, New Jersey08054-4620http://www.okidata.com

OKI DATA and OKIPAGE are registeredtrademarks of Oki Electric IndustryCompany, Ltd.; Marques désposés deOki Electric Industry Company, Ltd.;

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Marcas Registradas, Oki Electric IndustryCompany, Ltd.Energy Star is a trademark of the UnitedStates Environmental Protection Agency.TrueType is a registered trademark ofApple Computer Company.Hewlett-Packard, HP, and LaserJet areregistered trademarks of Hewlett-Packard Company.IBM is a registered trademark ofInternational Business Machines Corp.Microsoft and MS-DOS are registeredtrademarks and Windows is a registeredtrademark of Microsoft Corporation inthe U.S. and other countries.

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Contents

Introduction ...................................................5Flash Memory ...........................................6Fonts ............................................................7Macros.........................................................8OKI Flash Image Creator........................9OKI NetFlash .......................................... 10General Steps for Storing Fonts andMacros in OKI’s Flash Memory ......... 11

Image Creator Features ........................... 12Image Tab ............................................... 13

Image Creator – Image File Index16Tools Tab................................................. 17About Tab................................................ 20

NetFlash Features ......................................21Main Screen ............................................23

Address Dialog...................................25Creating a Flash ROM Image..................26

Creating Macros .....................................27Preparing Macros Using ImageCreator ......................................................28

Loading the Image into Memory...........32Parallel Printer(Using Image Creator) .........................33Network Printer (Using NetFlash) ....34

How to Create a Printer List...........34How to Send the Image Fileto the Printer(s) .................................37

Creating Multiple SIMMs .........................39

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IntroductionOKI Flash software lets you storemacros (electronic forms, logos,overlays) and additional fonts (barcodes, corporate typefaces) in yourprinter’s flash memory. Two softwareutilities are included: OKI Flash ImageCreator and OKI NetFlash.

Click for more information:- Flash Memory- Fonts- Macros- OKI Flash Image Creator- OKI NetFlash- General Steps for Storing Fonts and

Macros in OKI’s Flash Memory

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Flash MemoryPrinter flash memory can be used tostore fonts and macros. Unlike RAM,items stored in flash memory remainpermanent even when power is turnedoff. Additionally, the contents of flashmemory can be erased and reloadedwith new data. Storing commonly usedfonts and macros in flash can minimizethe amount of data that needs to besent to the printer, resulting in fasterprint jobs and less network traffic.

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FontsOKI’s flash memory can be used tostore PCL bitmaps (SFP files) andTrueType fonts (TTF files).

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MacrosMacros are simply small print jobs orportions of print jobs that are stored inthe printer and are added to future printjobs. Examples include company logosor company letterhead, signatures thatare applied to letters or checks, andforms.Flash memory is commonly used toreplace preprinted forms with electronicforms. Electronic forms are forms thatare stored in your printer’s flashmemory as a series of printercommands (macros). Print jobs can beconfigured to merge with forms stored

in flash memory. The result is sharp,professional-looking forms printed onstandard paper, eliminating the expenseof purchasing and storing preprintedforms.

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OKI Flash Image CreatorThe OKI Flash Image Creator utilityassembles PCL compatible fonts andmacros into the format required forOKI’s flash memory. The utility can thendownload the resulting image files todedicated OKI page printers via aparallel port. Image Creator lets you:• Import PRN files for use as macros.

PRN files can be created from withinmany Windows applications byprinting to a file.

• Import PCL bitmap and TrueTypefonts.

• Test macros stored in your printer.• Create a single image file comprised

of fonts and macros. Image files canbe used to program multiple printerswith an identical set of fonts andmacros.

Note: For downloading to a networkprinter, use the OKI NetFlash utilitydescribed below.

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OKI NetFlashThe OKI NetFlash utility is used to sendflash image files over a TCP/IP networkto printer servers. NetFlash lets you:• program the flash memory installed in

network connected printers• maintain a list of print server

addresses• verify the operation of macros and

fonts stored in flash memory.

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General Steps for StoringFonts and Macros in OKI’sFlash Memory1 Obtain PCL compatible macros and

fonts. TrueType and PCL bitmapfonts are supported.

2 Using Image Creator, assemble thedesired fonts and macros, assignIDs, and create a flash memoryimage file.

3 Download the image file to an LPTport using Image Creator, or to anetwork connected printer usingOKI’s NetFlash utility.

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Image CreatorFeatures

The OKI Image Creator utility assemblesPCL compatible fonts and macros intoflash image files. Image Creator can alsodownload the image file to an OKI pageprinter via a parallel port.Note: For downloading image files to

a network printer, use OKI NetFlash.

Click for more information:- Image Tab- Image Creator – Image File Index- Tools Tab- About Tab

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Image TabFunctions:Add File…

Select fonts and macros files (PRNfiles) to be added to current project.• Multiple files within the same

directory can be highlighted andadded at the same time.

• Macros are imported as PRN orBIN files.

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Note: PRN files are print jobsstored on your hard disk.Compatible PRN files can becreated from a wordprocessor or graphic drawingapplication by using a PCL5edriver and configuring thedriver to print to file. BIN filesare PRN files that havealready been filtered byImage Creator.

• BIN files should not contain MacroID commands, Macro Start, orMacro End commands.

• Each macro must be imported as aseparate BIN file. Files containingmultiple DLL macros should firstbe divided into separate BIN files(one BIN file per macro).

Remove FileRemove highlighted object from listbox.

Properties…Display properties of highlighted fontor macro.

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Change IDModify the font or macro ID. Themacro ID displayed will be the IDrequired to execute the macro. IDscan also be modified by doubleclicking an object in the list box.

Create ImageCompile the contents of the list boxinto a flash image file. Image filescontain fonts and macros in theformat required for OKI flash memory.

Additionally, Add, Remove and ChangeID can be accessed using the rightmouse button to invoke the contextmenu.

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Image Creator – Image FileIndexEach time an image file is created, a textfile is created that contains a listing ofthe fonts, macros and IDs used to buildthe image file. Example:

Flash Image created at 10:39:08 on22.11.1999

Contents:

ID: 00032 File: Upc13mil.sfpID: 00021 File: Upc10mil.sfpID: 00020 File: Hv14bus.sfpID: 00007 File: Okidata2.ttfID: 00001 File: PurchaseOrder.binID: 00002 File: W2_Form.binID: 00032 File: Form32.bin

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Tools TabFunctions:Auto Locate

Establishes bi-directionalcommunications with a printerconnected to LPT1 or LPT2. Once aconnection is established, additionalfunctions are enabled.

Filter Macro FileConvert PCL macro files into BIN filesby removing PJL and page specific PCLcommands.• PCL files can be generated using

any Windows application and aPCL5e driver.

• BIN files are used when importingmacros to create a flash image file.

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Test Macro FileTest macros files (PRN and BIN files).Macros are downloaded to theprinter’s RAM and executed. Aformfeed command is added to ejectthe page.

Send Page/Job CommandExecute individual PCL commands tofacilitate testing of macros.

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Erase FlashDelete the contents of a printer’s flashSIMM.

Download Flash ImageProgram previously created imagefiles into the flash memory of a locallyconnected printer. The contents of thememory will be erased before thenew image is downloaded.

Test Flash MacroVerify the contents of a printer’s flashmemory by sending the macroexecute command along with themacro ID(s) to the printer. A formfeedcommand is also sent to the printer toeject the page.

Print Font DemoPrint the printer’s font demo page toverify fonts stored in flash.

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About Tab

The tab displays general informationabout OKI Flash Image Creator.

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NetFlash FeaturesThe OKI NetFlash utility sends a flashimage file over a TCP/IP network toprinters equipped with a flash memory.To apply this utility you should have:• A flash image file created using OKI’s

Flash Image Creator• TCP/IP addresses of target network

printers• Printer model or flash number if the

printer contains multiple flashmemory modules.

The TCP/IP address can be numerical(e.g., 172.31.12.166). It can also be text(e.g., mainprinter.mycomp.com), if anetwork has Domain Name Server(DNS) installed.

Note: Specify the correct printermodel, since different printers storeflash memory in different locationsand different commands are usedfor updating the flash memory.

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The NetFlash utility requires thefollowing:• 32-bit Microsoft Windows® operating

system (95, 98, NT 3.51 or NT 4.0)• PC with NIC installed and configured

for TCP/IP networking• Print server or printer NIC configured

for TCP/IP and supporting FTPprotocol.

Click for more information:- Main Screen- Address Dialog

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Main ScreenThe print listing contains:• IP address or domain name of

network connected printers. Printersmust be entered manually by usingthe Add… button.

• Printer model.• Location: user-entered descriptive

name of printer.• Status.

You can change the size of the listelement. Vertical and horizontal scrollbars appear automatically if needed.Click on a column name to sort the listby that column. Click on a printer’saddress to change its status to selected.

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The available options are:Add…

Open a dialog box for adding a newprint server address to the list ofavailable network printers. Used toenter the IP address and descriptionof a network-connected printer.

Edit…Open a dialog for changing theaddress and description of theselected printer.

RemoveDeletes one or more selectedaddresses from the list.

Test…Verify the contents of a selectedprinter’s flash memory. The printer’sfont demo can be printed to verifythat fonts have been properlydownloaded. Macros stored in flashmemory can be printed by entering acorresponding macro ID.

Load ListSelect a previously saved list of printserver addresses. Addresses from thefile are added to the screen list.

Save ListSave a print server list under a user-defined file name. Once saved, the listcan be used later.

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Address DialogWhen you click on the Add… or Edit…buttons, a dialog box opens for enteringor editing the printer’s TCP/IP address.The dialog includes fields for thenumerical or text address, the model,and a description of the printer’slocation.

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Creating a FlashROM Image

Click for more information:- Creating Macros- Preparing Macros Using Image

Creator

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Creating MacrosYou can create printer macros using avariety of Windows programs. Thefollowing steps are generic but apply tomost applications:1 Use a word processor or graphic

drawing program to prepare apage or section of a page, whichwill become the macro. Using aPCL5e driver, print the page toverify the content and layout.

Note: Macros cannot be createdusing an XL or PostScriptdriver.

2 Print the document again, but thistime enable the Print to file optiontypically displayed after selectingPrint from within your application.You will be asked to specify aname and location for storing theoutput file.

3 Record the directory used to storethe PRN file. This PRN file will beused by Image Creator to create aprinter macro.

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Preparing Macros UsingImage CreatorImage Creator converts PCL5e PRN files(PRN) into flash memory image filescompatible with OKI printers.1 Start Image Creator.

2 From the Flash Image tab, press AddFile…. The Open dialog appears.

3 Select “All Files (*.*)” as the filetype and browse to the foldercontaining your PRN file. You canalso type the path and filename ofyour PRN file in the “File name”edit box (for example,“C:\macros\fm01.prn”).

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4 After selecting your PRN file, pressOpen. The following dialog appears:

Filter Printer Patterns allows you tospecify which printer commands toremove from the PRN file. Macrosare typically appended to print jobsthat already contain printercommands that specify paper size,orientation, etc. Removing thesecommands from your PRN fileeliminates possible conflicts withprint jobs that execute the macro.Press OK to create a BIN file. TheBIN file is the PRN file after beingfiltered. The BIN file is added to thelist of fonts and macros being usedto create an image file.

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5 An identifier (0 to 32767) isassigned to each macro asindicated in the IDs column. TheseID’s can be changed using theChange ID button, double-clickingon the font or using the right mousebutton to produce a context menu.

Note: If you later download adifferent set of macros, thefirst set will be overwrittensince the flash memory iserased prior to download.

6 You can import additional PCLbitmap fonts (SFP), TrueType fonts(TTF) and PRN files using the Add

File button. Once you have created alist of fonts and macros, you areready to build the flash image file.

Note: The Flash Images list canbe filled with files from anydirectory except the“Windows\Fonts” directory.For that subdirectory, youmust copy the files to anotherdirectory first, since Windowsmanages the files in thisdirectory with specialhandlers.

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7 Review the ID values assigned tofonts and macros. Double-click onthe filename to edit the ID.

Note: Avoid assigning the sameID to multiple macros andfonts.

8 Press Create Image to assemble thefonts and macros into a single flashimage file. The standard WindowsSave File Dialog displays. Choose apath and filename to save theimage being created.

9 Download the flash image file to aparallel connected printer by usingfeatures in the Tools tab of ImageCreator. Use NetFlash to send filesto printers with a TCP/IP networkconnection.

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Loading theImage intoMemory

Click for more information:- Parallel Printer (Using Image Creator)- Network Printer (Using NetFlash)

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Parallel Printer (Using ImageCreator)

1 The Tools tab provides functions fordownloading and testing image

files. Printers must be connected toan LPT port and located using theAuto Locate feature.

2 Download the previously createdimage file using the Download FlashImage button.

3 Try out the macros by their IDsusing the Test Flash Macro button.

For more information on the ImageCreator functions, please refer to theonline help.

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Network Printer (UsingNetFlash)Note: Before downloading the flash

image file, you must have created alist of network print serveraddresses.

How to Create a Printer List

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1 Click Add…. The address dialogappears.

2 In the address dialog, enter theprinter’s IP or text address, model,and a description of the printer.

3 Click OK to enter the printer intothe list.

4 To verify the printer’s connection,click on the printer address, then clickTest….

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Click Print Fonts to send commands tothe printer requesting a font demopage. If communication has beenestablished, a list of printer fontsprints.5 To edit printer information, click on

the printer address, then clickEdit…. The address dialog appears.Editing follows the same procedureas steps 2 and 3.

6 To remove a printer from the list,click on the printer address, thenclick Remove.

7 To save the list, click Save List. A filebrowser for saving the list fileappears.

8 Select a name for the list file andsave in a convenient location.

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How to Send the Image File tothe Printer(s)

1 Click Load List. A file browser opensto help you to select yourpreviously saved list of print serveraddresses. Addresses from the fileare added to the screen list.

2 Select printer servers using theSelect all button or selectdestination addresses by clicking onthe listed address. The status of theselected addresses changes toselected.

3 Click Start. During sending, thesending status fields and progressbar next to the Start button areupdated, and the text on the Startbutton changes to Stop. To cancel

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the send, click the Stop button.Duration of the sending process isapproximately two minutes perprint server.

4 When the download is completedfor each address, the status field inthe address list changes to done ifsuccessful, fail if unsuccessful, orcanceled if canceled.

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Creating MultipleSIMMs

To create multiple SIMMs with the samedata, repeat the download process afterturning off the printer and changing theSIMM (see the Hardware InstallationGuide).