Microsoft KB Archive/68377

Word: HP LaserJet III Alignment Application Note Available PSS ID Number: Q68377 Article last modified on 10-20-1993 PSS database name: D_WorD

5.50

MS-DOS

Summary:

An application note containing information and a file that corrects scalable font alignment problems related to Microsoft Word for MS-DOS printer driver (PRD) files for the Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet III and an updated HP3.PRD file is available. Additional information regarding the addition of scalable symbol and font sets to existing Word PRD files for the HP LaserJet III is also included. The application note is titled “LaserJet III Alignment Correction & Font/Symbol Set.”

Application notes can be obtained by calling Microsoft Product Support Services at (206) 454-2030.

More Information:

Correcting LaserJet III Scalable Font Alignment
The HP LaserJet Printers use the new AGFA-Intelligraphic scalable font technology. This uses a different font design unit than the Adobe PostScript technology, for which Word’s scalable font capabilities were designed. Because of Word’s use of high-speed integer math when printing, this difference in design can cause right-alignment problems (experienced primarily when using justification and right-aligned tab stops) when using these scalable fonts. To reduce the effect of this problem, Microsoft developed a method to embed optimized width tables for specific sizes within the printer driver. Further information on this is available from the application note.

Adding Symbol Set and Font Support
The printer drivers for the Hewlett-Packard (HP) LaserJet III that ship with Word version 5.5, and which are available as an application note for Word version 5.0, do not support all scalable symbol sets and fonts available internally and through HP font sets. To save memory and disk space, these drivers support only the internal scalable fonts CG-Times and Univers in the Roman-8 symbol set. The following font sets are supported in the default symbol sets with HP3FONTS.PRD and in the PC-850 international symbol set with HP3FONTSI.PRD:

Distinctive Documents I Compelling Publications I and II Brilliant Presentations I Decorative Words I

Support for other symbol sets and font sets can be added by using the MERGEPRD utility to merge the fonts into an existing PRD. MERGEPRD is included on the enclosed HP LaserJet III Alignment and Font/Symbol Set Support disk (disk 1 of 1 for the 3.5-inch disk, or disk 2 of 2 for the 5.25-inch disk). MERGEPRD requires an HP TFM (tagged font metric) file for each typeface from which a font will be added. The TFM file contains important information about the typeface, including the widths of all characters and the symbol sets available. The TFM files for the internal CG-Times and Univers typefaces are included on the enclosed disk(s). TFM files for other typefaces are usually included with the font sets or can be obtained from the font vendor.

Reference(s):

“Microsoft Product Support Services Application Note.” #DW0226 (6 pages, 2 disks included.)

“Printer Information for Microsoft Word,” version 5.5, pages 287-302, 323

Additional reference words: wdprint dw0226 word hp alignment 5.00 5.50

Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1993.