Printing with "Enscript"
What is "Enscript"?
Enscript is a text to PostScript converter. In plain English, it takes text files (in ASCII format) and converts them to a format that the various printers in the facility can understand and process.
Why use "Enscript"?
Enscript offers several advantages over the methods, such as "lp" and the like, in terms of formatting and flexibility. The most frequently used formatting devices will be described below.
Getting Started - Basics
Defaults
The easiest way to print something that is in the current directory is to type the following: (For sake of example, assume that a user has a file named "les")
>enscript les
This will print one copy of the file titled "les" using the following default formats:
Printing More Copies
This is the most basic formatting tool which will simply print the number of copies that a user specifies. To the basic command add the following, "
-# [number]", where the "[number]" is the number of copies desired.The final command will look like this:
>enscript -# 2 les
This command will print 2 copies of the file "les". (Notice that there are no brackets around the actual number of copies desired.)
Removing the Header
Files that wish to be printed without the header can be done so by adding the following to the basic command, "
-B".The final command will look like:
>enscript –B les
This will print the file les without a header.
Changing the Font
Changing the font is done by adding "
-f [name#]" to the basic command. The "[name#]" will be the name of the desired font and the size of the characters in points. Some good font choices are "Times-Roman12" which is the popular Times Roman font in 12 point size, and "Arial12" which is the popular Arial style in 12 point size. (Ed. Note – This document is written in Arial 12.)Thus, the final command will look like:
>enscript –f Arial12 les
Which will print a copy of the file "les" using Arial 12 as the font choice.
Combining Formatting
Users may combine formatting tools to achieve multiple results, such as changing the font, removing the header, and printing more than one copy of the file. These functions are accomplished by listing the various commands along with the basic command.
For example, a user wishes to do all of the above listed formatting tools, this is accomplished by typing:
>enscript –B –f Arial12 -# 5 les
All of this produces 5 copies of the document "les" with no headers and Arial 12 point text.
More "Advanced" Features
So, most people should be familiar with the basic formatting features, such as changing fonts and size, removing headers, and printing more than one copy.
"Advanced" features include the following:
These are useful functions for printing large output files from programs like Gaussian™ and ADF. Frequently used combinations are included at the end of this section in the "combinations section".
Printing in Landscape Mode
Landscape mode shifts the document by 90O. This is useful for documents that contain very long lines. Note that the default font for this is Courier 7 point.
To do this, simply enter "
-r" with the basic command.For example,
>enscript –r les
will print "les" in landscape mode.
Specifying Columns
Having more than one column in landscape mode helps with condensing large files, especially large output files. To print with more than one column, simply add "
-2r" to the basic command.Another example,
>enscript –2r les
Prints "les" in landscape mode with two columns.
Adding Column Borders
Seeing so many columns can sometimes be an eye-strain, so adding borders around the columns helps in reducing some of the strain associated with that much information. To invoke this formatting feature, simply add "
-2jr" to the basic command.Yet again,
>enscript –2jr les
Prints the file "les" in landscape mode with two columns and a border around each column.
Adding Line Numbers
In large output files is it sometimes useful to have line numbers with the printouts for a reference. To invoke this formatting tool, add "
-C" to the basic command.>enscript –C les
This prints "les" with the line numbers on the left-hand side in portrait mode.
Printing Selected Pages
Printing selected pages can be accomplished by adding the following command to the basic, "
a [start]-[finish]", where the "[start]-[finish]" are the page numbers.>enscript –a 2-6 les
Would then print pages 2 through 6 of the document "les".
Printer Selection
Printing on different printer can be accomplished by adding
"
-P [printername]" to the basic command.>enscript –P Phaser les
Prints "les" to the Phaser.
Combining Formatting
>enscript –2jr –P Phaser les
Prints "les" in landscape mode with 2 columns and borders on the Phaser.
>enscript –2jr –C –P Phaser -# 2 les
Prints 2 copies of "les" in landscape mode with 2 columns and border on the Phaser and also includes line numbers.
>enscript –2rj –C –P Phaser -B les
Prints "les" in landscape mode with 2 columns and borders on the Phaser including line numbers but without a header.