Develop Reference

How do I print clear text from a windows form?

I have successfully printed a windows form, but all the text is slightly blurry. I have concluded that this is a result of the resolution of the screen being much less than the resolution the printer uses. Is there a fundamental flaw in my approach or is there a way to reformat the text prior to printing so that it comes out crisp?
void PrintImage(object o, PrintPageEventArgs e)
{
int x = SystemInformation.WorkingArea.X;
int y = SystemInformation.WorkingArea.Y;
int width = panel1.Width;
int height = panel1.Height;
Rectangle bounds = new Rectangle(x, y, width, height);
Bitmap img = new Bitmap(width, height);
this.DrawToBitmap(img, bounds);
Point p = new Point(100, 100);
e.Graphics.DrawImage(img, p);
}
private void BtnPrint_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
btnPrint.Visible = false;
btnCancel.Visible = false;
if(txtNotes.Text == "Notes:" || txtNotes.Text == "")
{
txtNotes.Visible = false;
}
PrintDocument pd = new PrintDocument();
pd.PrintPage += new PrintPageEventHandler(PrintImage);
pd.Print();
}

Is there a fundamental flaw in my approach [...] ?
Yes.
You take the size of panel1 to calculate the size of the image. Later, you let this draw to the image, but this is the form, not the panel.
What makes you think that SystemInformation.WorkingArea is related to the window you want to print?
You should take a bit more care of disposable objects.
[...] is there a way to reformat the text prior to printing so that it comes out crisp?
There's not a general way which would allow you to scale all other controls as well.
However, instead of blurry text, you can get crisp pixelated text by scaling the bitmap up by a certain factor using the NearestNeighbor mechanism.
Here's the difference in a PDF generated without scaling (left) and a factor of 3 scaling (right) at the same zoom level in Acrobat Reader (click to enlarge):
Here's the scaling code, also without fixing any disposable issues:
this.DrawToBitmap(img, bounds);
Point p = new Point(100, 100);
img = ResizeBitmap(img, 3);
e.Graphics.DrawImage(img, p);
}
private static Bitmap ResizeBitmap(Bitmap source, int factor)
{
Bitmap result = new Bitmap(source.Width*factor, source.Height*factor);
result.SetResolution(source.HorizontalResolution*factor, source.VerticalResolution*factor);
using (Graphics g = Graphics.FromImage(result))
{
g.InterpolationMode = InterpolationMode.NearestNeighbor;
g.DrawImage(source, 0, 0, source.Width*factor, source.Height*factor);
}
return result;
}

zxing.net c# can't change the width of the barcode in a flowdocument

I'm using visual studio c# and zxing.net library to encode some numbers then print it using flowdocuments.
first i used the BarcodeWriter class in zxing.net to save it as a bitmap then I transformed it into a BitmapImage through this method :
private BitmapSource Bitmap2BitmapImage(Bitmap bitmap)
{
BitmapSource i = Imaging.CreateBitmapSourceFromHBitmap(
bitmap.GetHbitmap(),
IntPtr.Zero,
Int32Rect.Empty,
BitmapSizeOptions.FromEmptyOptions());
return i;
}
I got it from a thread in here, then I added it to the flowdocument through InlineUIContainer .
This is the code :
public void Print(string[] strArray)
{
System.Windows.Controls.Image barcodeimg = new System.Windows.Controls.Image();
BarcodeWriter writer = new BarcodeWriter();
writer.Format = BarcodeFormat.CODE_128;
writer.Options.PureBarcode = true;
writer.Options.Width = 40;
writer.Options.Height = 6;
MessageBox.Show(strArray[1].ToString());
string BID = strArray[1];
Bitmap mmm = writer.Write(BID.ToString());
FlowDocument flowDoc = new FlowDocument();
Section sec = new Section();
flowDoc.ColumnWidth = 2000;
int x = Properties.Settings.Default.X;
int y = Properties.Settings.Default.Y;
int fontSize = Properties.Settings.Default.fontSize;
sec.Padding = sec.Margin = new Thickness(x,y,0,0);
sec.TextAlignment = TextAlignment.Center;
sec.FontSize = fontSize ;
double lineH = Properties.Settings.Default.LineHighet;
barcodeimg.Source = Bitmap2BitmapImage(mmm);
InlineUIContainer container = new InlineUIContainer(barcodeimg);
container.FontStretch = FontStretches.ExtraCondensed;
Paragraph paragraph = new Paragraph(container);
sec.Blocks.Add(paragraph);
flowDoc.Blocks.Add(sec);
PrintDialog dialog = new PrintDialog();
IDocumentPaginatorSource idpSource = flowDoc;
dialog.PrintDocument(idpSource.DocumentPaginator,"job1");
}
The problem is the printed barcode width won't change, it changes a little bit when i change numbers but not even close to what I'm looking for.
Here is different tries of different sizes, you can see the height changes but the width is almost the same.
http://i.stack.imgur.com/UZsSm.jpg
I'm new here so excuse me for any mistakes.
Thanks.

probably to late but...
Barcodes are just a set of black bars with some white spaces between and the thickness of black bars and the white space between them is what defines the digits.
That beeing said, proportions must be kept.
When you are setting the width and height of "writer.Options", you are realy just setting the grid resolution of the barcode. Try to set to 800 x 600 (or more) and you see that the width will not change, you will only get better image quality.
I dont know how you`re printing the barcode, but probably your problem resides there and not on the barcode construction.

Printing scales my WPF-GroupBox

I'm trying to print out some information from my wpf-application. I found some code to make what I want to print to fit one page and it does the job very well. The problem is that after I print what i want, the method downscale my wpf-control, which is a groupbox with a chart in it. How do i scale the size of the groupbox back to what it was before the scaling?
private void PrintUT_Click(object sender, RoutedEventArgs e)
{
PrintDialog printDlg = new System.Windows.Controls.PrintDialog();
if (printDlg.ShowDialog() == true)
{
//get selected printer capabilities
System.Printing.PrintCapabilities capabilities = printDlg.PrintQueue.GetPrintCapabilities(printDlg.PrintTicket);
//get scale of the print wrt to screen of WPF visual
double scale = Math.Min(capabilities.PageImageableArea.ExtentWidth / this.GBProsjektTimer.ActualWidth, capabilities.PageImageableArea.ExtentHeight /
this.GBProsjektTimer.ActualHeight);
//Transform the Visual to scale
this.GBProsjektTimer.LayoutTransform = new ScaleTransform(scale, scale);
//get the size of the printer page
Size sz = new Size(capabilities.PageImageableArea.ExtentWidth, capabilities.PageImageableArea.ExtentHeight);
//update the layout of the visual to the printer page size.
this.Measure(sz);
this.Arrange(new Rect(new Point(capabilities.PageImageableArea.OriginWidth, capabilities.PageImageableArea.OriginHeight), sz));
//now print the visual to printer to fit on the one page.
printDlg.PrintVisual(this.GBProsjektTimer, "First Fit to Page WPF Print");
}
}

Found the answer! Just replace objecToPrint with your object. In my case that would be this.GBProsjektTimer.Width = double.Nan
objectToPrint.Width = double.NaN;
objectToPrint.UpdateLayout();
objectToPrint.LayoutTransform = new ScaleTransform(1, 1);
Size size = new Size(capabilities.PageImageableArea.ExtentWidth,
capabilities.PageImageableArea.ExtentHeight);
objectToPrint.Measure(size);
objectToPrint.Arrange(new Rect(new Point(capabilities.PageImageableArea.OriginWidth,
capabilities.PageImageableArea.OriginHeight), size));

Printing image with PrintDocument. how to adjust the image to fit paper size

In C#, I am trying to print an image using PrintDocument class with the below code. The image is of size 1200 px width and 1800 px height. I am trying to print this image in a 4*6 paper using a small zeebra printer. But the program is printing only 4*6 are of the big image. that means it is not adjusting the image to the paper size !
PrintDocument pd = new PrintDocument();
pd.PrintPage += (sender, args) =>
{
Image i = Image.FromFile("C://tesimage.PNG");
Point p = new Point(100, 100);
args.Graphics.DrawImage(i, 10, 10, i.Width, i.Height);
};
pd.Print();
When i print the same image using Window Print (right click and select print, it is scaling automatically to paper size and printing correctly. that means everything came in 4*6 paper.) How do i do the same in my C# program ?

The parameters that you are passing into the DrawImage method should be the size you want the image on the paper rather than the size of the image itself, the DrawImage command will then take care of the scaling for you. Probably the easiest way is to use the following override of the DrawImage command.
args.Graphics.DrawImage(i, args.MarginBounds);
Note: This will skew the image if the proportions of the image are not the same as the rectangle. Some simple math on the size of the image and paper size will allow you to create a new rectangle that fits in the bounds of the paper without skewing the image.

Not to trample on BBoy's already decent answer, but I've done the code that maintains aspect ratio. I took his suggestion, so he should get partial credit here!
PrintDocument pd = new PrintDocument();
pd.DefaultPageSettings.PrinterSettings.PrinterName = "Printer Name";
pd.DefaultPageSettings.Landscape = true; //or false!
pd.PrintPage += (sender, args) =>
{
Image i = Image.FromFile(#"C:\...\...\image.jpg");
Rectangle m = args.MarginBounds;
if ((double)i.Width / (double)i.Height > (double)m.Width / (double)m.Height) // image is wider
{
m.Height = (int)((double)i.Height / (double)i.Width * (double)m.Width);
}
else
{
m.Width = (int)((double)i.Width / (double)i.Height * (double)m.Height);
}
args.Graphics.DrawImage(i, m);
};
pd.Print();

The solution provided by BBoy works fine. But in my case I had to use
e.Graphics.DrawImage(memoryImage, e.PageBounds);
This will print only the form. When I use MarginBounds it prints the entire screen even if the form is smaller than the monitor screen. PageBounds solved that issue. Thanks to BBoy!

You can use my code here
//Print Button Event Handeler
private void btnPrint_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
PrintDocument pd = new PrintDocument();
pd.PrintPage += PrintPage;
//here to select the printer attached to user PC
PrintDialog printDialog1 = new PrintDialog();
printDialog1.Document = pd;
DialogResult result = printDialog1.ShowDialog();
if (result == DialogResult.OK)
{
pd.Print();//this will trigger the Print Event handeler PrintPage
}
}
//The Print Event handeler
private void PrintPage(object o, PrintPageEventArgs e)
{
try
{
if (File.Exists(this.ImagePath))
{
//Load the image from the file
System.Drawing.Image img = System.Drawing.Image.FromFile(#"C:\myimage.jpg");
//Adjust the size of the image to the page to print the full image without loosing any part of it
Rectangle m = e.MarginBounds;
if ((double)img.Width / (double)img.Height > (double)m.Width / (double)m.Height) // image is wider
{
m.Height = (int)((double)img.Height / (double)img.Width * (double)m.Width);
}
else
{
m.Width = (int)((double)img.Width / (double)img.Height * (double)m.Height);
}
e.Graphics.DrawImage(img, m);
}
}
catch (Exception)
{
}
}

Answer:
public void Print(string FileName)
{
StringBuilder logMessage = new StringBuilder();
logMessage.AppendLine(string.Format(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, "-------------------[ START - {0} - {1} -------------------]", MethodBase.GetCurrentMethod(), DateTime.Now.ToShortDateString()));
logMessage.AppendLine(string.Format(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, "Parameter: 1: [Name - {0}, Value - {1}", "None]", Convert.ToString("")));
try
{
if (string.IsNullOrWhiteSpace(FileName)) return; // Prevents execution of below statements if filename is not selected.
PrintDocument pd = new PrintDocument();
//Disable the printing document pop-up dialog shown during printing.
PrintController printController = new StandardPrintController();
pd.PrintController = printController;
//For testing only: Hardcoded set paper size to particular paper.
//pd.PrinterSettings.DefaultPageSettings.PaperSize = new PaperSize("Custom 6x4", 720, 478);
//pd.DefaultPageSettings.PaperSize = new PaperSize("Custom 6x4", 720, 478);
pd.DefaultPageSettings.Margins = new Margins(0, 0, 0, 0);
pd.PrinterSettings.DefaultPageSettings.Margins = new Margins(0, 0, 0, 0);
pd.PrintPage += (sndr, args) =>
{
System.Drawing.Image i = System.Drawing.Image.FromFile(FileName);
//Adjust the size of the image to the page to print the full image without loosing any part of the image.
System.Drawing.Rectangle m = args.MarginBounds;
//Logic below maintains Aspect Ratio.
if ((double)i.Width / (double)i.Height > (double)m.Width / (double)m.Height) // image is wider
{
m.Height = (int)((double)i.Height / (double)i.Width * (double)m.Width);
}
else
{
m.Width = (int)((double)i.Width / (double)i.Height * (double)m.Height);
}
//Calculating optimal orientation.
pd.DefaultPageSettings.Landscape = m.Width > m.Height;
//Putting image in center of page.
m.Y = (int)((((System.Drawing.Printing.PrintDocument)(sndr)).DefaultPageSettings.PaperSize.Height - m.Height) / 2);
m.X = (int)((((System.Drawing.Printing.PrintDocument)(sndr)).DefaultPageSettings.PaperSize.Width - m.Width) / 2);
args.Graphics.DrawImage(i, m);
};
pd.Print();
}
catch (Exception ex)
{
log.ErrorFormat("Error : {0}\n By : {1}-{2}", ex.ToString(), this.GetType(), MethodBase.GetCurrentMethod().Name);
}
finally
{
logMessage.AppendLine(string.Format(CultureInfo.InvariantCulture, "-------------------[ END - {0} - {1} -------------------]", MethodBase.GetCurrentMethod().Name, DateTime.Now.ToShortDateString()));
log.Info(logMessage.ToString());
}
}

Agree with TonyM and BBoy - this is the correct answer for original 4*6 printing of label. (args.PageBounds). This worked for me for printing Endicia API service shipping Labels.
private void SubmitResponseToPrinter(ILabelRequestResponse response)
{
PrintDocument pd = new PrintDocument();
pd.PrintPage += (sender, args) =>
{
Image i = Image.FromFile(response.Labels[0].FullPathFileName.Trim());
args.Graphics.DrawImage(i, args.PageBounds);
};
pd.Print();
}

all these answers has the problem, that's always stretching the image to pagesize and cuts off some content at trying this.
Found a little bit easier way.
My own solution only stretch(is this the right word?) if the image is to large, can use multiply copies and pageorientations.
PrintDialog dlg = new PrintDialog();
if (dlg.ShowDialog() == true)
{
BitmapImage bmi = new BitmapImage(new Uri(strPath));
Image img = new Image();
img.Source = bmi;
if (bmi.PixelWidth < dlg.PrintableAreaWidth ||
bmi.PixelHeight < dlg.PrintableAreaHeight)
{
img.Stretch = Stretch.None;
img.Width = bmi.PixelWidth;
img.Height = bmi.PixelHeight;
}
if (dlg.PrintTicket.PageBorderless == PageBorderless.Borderless)
{
img.Margin = new Thickness(0);
}
else
{
img.Margin = new Thickness(48);
}
img.VerticalAlignment = VerticalAlignment.Top;
img.HorizontalAlignment = HorizontalAlignment.Left;
for (int i = 0; i < dlg.PrintTicket.CopyCount; i++)
{
dlg.PrintVisual(img, "Print a Image");
}
}

Printing chart in c#

I am able to print a chart from my c# project using:
chart1.Printing.PrintDocument.DocumentName = "Graph of data";
But is it possible to add a title to this? I was hoping the document name would achieve this, but apparently not!

You can print whatever you want directly to the page and then invoke the chart PrintPaint(). Note that if you don't switch the PageUnit to Pixels that the chart scaling gets confused.
void PrintChart(object sender, PrintPageEventArgs ev)
{
using (var f = new System.Drawing.Font("Arial", 10))
{
var size = ev.Graphics.MeasureString(Text, f);
ev.Graphics.DrawString("Whatever text you want", f, Brushes.Black, ev.PageBounds.X + (ev.PageBounds.Width - size.Width) / 2, ev.PageBounds.Y);
}
//Note, the chart printing code wants to print in pixels.
Rectangle marginBounds = ev.MarginBounds;
if (ev.Graphics.PageUnit != GraphicsUnit.Pixel)
{
ev.Graphics.PageUnit = GraphicsUnit.Pixel;
marginBounds.X = (int)(marginBounds.X * (ev.Graphics.DpiX / 100f));
marginBounds.Y = (int)(marginBounds.Y * (ev.Graphics.DpiY / 100f));
marginBounds.Width = (int)(marginBounds.Width * (ev.Graphics.DpiX / 100f));
marginBounds.Height = (int)(marginBounds.Height * (ev.Graphics.DpiY / 100f));
}
chart1.Printing.PrintPaint(ev.Graphics, marginBounds);
}
This menu handler opens a PrintDialog(). If you don't want a dialog you can just call pd.Print().
private void printToolStripMenuItem_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
var pd = new System.Drawing.Printing.PrintDocument();
pd.PrintPage += new PrintPageEventHandler(PrintChart);
PrintDialog pdi = new PrintDialog();
pdi.Document = pd;
if (pdi.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK)
pdi.Document.Print();
}

Here is a workaround solution to your problem, if you place the ChartingControl inside a Panel control on the Windows Form. You can then print the panel, inside the panel you can add the document heading as a label and whatever other stuff you want to add.
Firstly from the toolbox add a PrintDocument control and call it MyPrintDocument
Then add a Panel control and put your chart inside it.
Make sure you have imported the System.Drawing namespace, then you can print the panel like this.
Bitmap MyChartPanel = new Bitmap(panel1.Width, panel1.Height);
panel1.DrawToBitmap(MyChartPanel, new Rectangle(0, 0, panel1.Width, panel1.Height));
PrintDialog MyPrintDialog = new PrintDialog();
if (MyPrintDialog.ShowDialog() == DialogResult.OK)
{
System.Drawing.Printing.PrinterSettings values;
values = MyPrintDialog.PrinterSettings;
MyPrintDialog.Document = MyPrintDocument;
MyPrintDocument.PrintController = new System.Drawing.Printing.StandardPrintController();
MyPrintDocument.Print();
}
MyPrintDocument.Dispose();
This code converts the panel into a Bitmap and then prints that Bitmap.
You could condense this into a function like:
public void PrintPanel(Panel MyPanel)
{
// Add code from above in here, changing panel1 to MyPanel...
}