Printers

Printer List

Provides a list of directories used to store the configuration files of your 3DS virtual printers. You can add your own directories, and also protect the access to the desired directories when logged as administrator.

You can also add new Windows or 3DS virtual printers.

3DS virtual printer configuration files are stored in permanent options files that are located in:

C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\Dassault Systemes\CATSettings\Rn\Authoring

(where "n" is the current release number).

These files are:

• CATPrintersSettings.CATSettings (contains the list of printers defined in the Printer List).
• Print.CATSettings (contains information about the default printer, the default CATPrintParameters, and the name of the plug-in that has been implemented, if any).

Add a Printer

To add a printer to the list, click Add, and then choose the type of printer you want to add.

For more information, see 3DEXPERIENCE Native Apps User's Guide: Native Apps Advanced: Printing: Setting Up Printers: Adding a Printer.

Configure a Printer

Right-click the printer to be reconfigured, and then select Configure, or double-click the printer name.

For more information, see 3DEXPERIENCE Native Apps User's Guide: Native Apps Advanced: Printing: Setting Up Printers: Configuring a Printer.

Set the Default Printer

Right-click the printer of your choice, and then select Set As Default. The selected printer is now set as the default printer and is identified by the icon .

However:

• The default printer is modified when you select a different printer in the Print dialog box.
• When you restart a new session, the default printer is retrieved from the CATPrintersSettings.CATSettings file.

Remove a Printer

Right-click the printer to be removed, and then select Remove. The printer is removed from the CATPrintersSettings.CATSettings file.

Test a Printer

Right-click the printer to be tested, and then select Test: the test page is printed.

Change the Lock Status

When logged as administrator, you can protect the access to 3DS virtual printers.

Double-click the lock symbol next to the 3DS virtual printer to be protected, or right-click the 3DS virtual printer from the list, and then select Change Lock Status.

When a printer is locked, the end user can neither remove it, nor change its lock status. The lock symbol is updated accordingly to reflect the lock status.

• Printer000 is not locked:
• Printer000 is locked by the administrator:
• The end user inherits the following for a locked printer:

Export a Printer

Lets you export a printer to an XML file.

1. Right-click the printer of your choice.
2. Select Export.
3. In the Export File dialog box, navigate to the directory of your choice.
4. Click Save.

Import a Printer

Lets you import a printer from an XML file.

1. Click Import.
2. In the Import File dialog box, browse your file tree to the file of your choice.
3. Click Open to add the printer to the list.

Driver Configuration Path

Lets you customize the path to external drivers that may have been defined with CAA APIs. This option is relevant when working in a CAA environment only.

In the Driver Configuration Path, enter the path to the configuration file where your driver options are stored, or click to navigate to the desired location. This file is identified by the suffix *.cfg.

By default, the external driver configuration file is stored in:

• $HOME/CATSettings/Printers/Drivers.cfg.

where "$HOME" represents the CATUserSettingPath variable.

If no path is specified, the box displays ${CATUserSettingPath}\Printers\Drivers.cfg to indicate that the default location is used.

Printer Group Definition

Lets you define, modify and delete groups of printers. These groups then enable you to filter the printers displayed in the Print dialog box and therefore, select the desired printer more easily.

General is the default value and displays all the printers set up by your administrator.

1. Click New.

   The left column displays the printers that have already been set up. The group name is displayed in the Name box and can be modified if needed. The group number is incremented for each new group you create.

2. In the left column, select the printers you want to add to the group, and then click .

   When a printer has been added to a group, you can remove it by selecting it in the right column, and then clicking . The removed printer reappears in the left column.

   Tip: You can use multi-selection to select your printers in the left and right columns.

3. Click OK.
4. If required, you can modify or remove on the created groups.
   • Modification: select a group, and then click Modify. This opens the Printer Group dialog box detailed above and you can then add or remove printers
   • Removal: select a group, and then click Remove to remove it from the group list.

   When printer groups have been defined, you can use them to filter the printers displayed in the Print dialog box using a specific combo box.