I am writing a FedEx API in vb.net to work with our universe database. So far everything is about done but i'm stuck on the printing label part. The code FedEx gave me saves the label image as a pdf and prints from acrobat. Problem is you can't really do anything with a pdf image, or so i'm sure of at least, meaning i can't line the image up correctly on a 4 x 6 thermal label. How would i do this or is there a good way to just use the image and assign x and y coordinates without messing up the FedEx label? here is the code from where it saves the label down to print:
Sub ShowShipmentLabels(ByRef CompletedShipmentDetail As CompletedShipmentDetail, ByRef packageDetail As CompletedPackageDetail, ByVal isCodShipment As Boolean)
If (packageDetail.Label.Parts(0).Image IsNot Nothing) Then
' Save outbound shipping label
Dim FileName As String = getProperty("labelpath") + packageDetail.TrackingIds(0).TrackingNumber + ".pdf"
SaveLabel(FileName, packageDetail.Label.Parts(0).Image)
Mylabel.Print()
' Save COD Return label
If (isCodShipment) Then
FileName = getProperty("labelpath") + CompletedShipmentDetail.CompletedPackageDetails(0).TrackingIds(0).TrackingNumber + "CR.pdf"
SaveLabel(FileName, CompletedShipmentDetail.CompletedPackageDetails(0).CodReturnDetail.Label.Parts(0).Image)
End If
End If
End Sub
Sub SaveLabel(ByRef labelFileName As String, ByRef labelBuffer() As Byte)
' Save label buffer to file
Dim LabelFile As FileStream = New FileStream(labelFileName, FileMode.Create)
LabelFile.Write(labelBuffer, 0, labelBuffer.Length)
LabelFile.Close()
' Display label in Acrobat
DisplayLabel(labelFileName)
End Sub
Sub DisplayLabel(ByRef labelFileName As String)
Dim info As System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo = New System.Diagnostics.ProcessStartInfo(labelFileName)
info.UseShellExecute = True
info.CreateNoWindow = True
info.WindowStyle = ProcessWindowStyle.Hidden
info.Verb = "Print"
System.Diagnostics.Process.Start(info)
End Sub
If it looks fine on the screen, but is not aligning correctly on the printer then you should probably look to the printer settings either on the device itself or in the driver. I would with the driver, you probably need to specificy the media and maybe adjust the margins.
Chris, if this hasn't been solved yet, check out this FAQ from our database at Shippo: http://support.goshippo.com/hc/en-us/articles/203804319-My-labels-are-not-printing-correctly-How-can-I-fix-this-
Printing 4x6 can be a bit of a headache at first. If it's not yet working for you, feel free to comment with more details what printer you use and your printer settings. This would help to debug further.
You have the option to save the image in ZPLII format. Do it and save it as tracking_id.zpl.
Share the Zebra printer as FedexThermal.
Then create a print.cmd script on he fly from vb to execute...
COPY /B tracking_id.zpl \\localhost\FedexThermal
Then in vb create a process to run that script,
Works for me.
Related
I know my question is not focused on a precise problem but Google ran out of results. I'm trying to make a little app in Visual Basic .Net and have a HTML string which needs to be printed to a specific printer, and the problem is that i've tried to:
write out to a HTML file then print it with a WebBrowser: the problem is that i can't print to a specific printer, only to the default one.
convert it to a PDF with htmlToPdf package but: (1) it needs Acrobat Reader AND file association in Windows, (2) it opens the Acrobat Reader which is not quite professional.
EDIT
Thanks to a solution provided by the first commenter, i've made it partially. The problem is that the first document is printed perfectly, but the next ones are printed to the first specified printer (in Devices and Printers the default printer changes but the target printer remains the first one) Here is the code:
Public Sub PrintHTML(ByVal text As String, ByVal printer As String)
Try
LogData("Changing default printer to " & printer)
Dim wtype = Type.GetTypeFromProgID("WScript.Network")
Dim instance = Activator.CreateInstance(wtype)
wtype.InvokeMember("SetDefaultPrinter", System.Reflection.BindingFlags.InvokeMethod, Nothing, instance, New Object() {printer})
Catch ex As Exception
LogData("Changing failed...")
LogData(ex.ToString)
Finally
LogData("PrintHTML Init with " & printer)
Me.wbForPrint.Navigate("about:blank")
If Not WebBrowserReadyState.Interactive = WebBrowserReadyState.Complete Then
Me.wbForPrint.Stop()
End If
Me.wbForPrint.DocumentText = text
AddHandler (Me.wbForPrint.DocumentCompleted), AddressOf HTMLDocumentCompleted
End Try
End Sub
If the printing needs to be automatic with any user input then you could use this code to change the default printer, and then restore the default printer back to what it was once you have done the printing (source: http://codesnippets.fesslersoft.de/how-to-set-the-default-printer-in-c-and-vb-net/)
Public Shared Sub SetDefaultPrinter(ByVal printername As String)
Dim type As var = Type.GetTypeFromProgID("WScript.Network")
Dim instance As var = Activator.CreateInstance(type)
type.InvokeMember("SetDefaultPrinter", System.Reflection.BindingFlags.InvokeMethod, Nothing, instance, New Object() {printername})
End Sub
Or if you want the user to choose which printer to send to, you could try:
WebBrowser1.ShowPrintPreviewDialog()
or
WebBrowser1.ShowPrintDialog()
So I'm trying to make a listbox with 2 buttons.
Listbox is supposed to display files from a specific folder (I get back to this)
And the two buttons are supposed to be called "Set.." (As in set directory)
and Update (As the list will be refreshed (Something I do every time the Windows Form Runs.
So as of now, when I start my application, and go to the form with the listbox, the listbox is empty. When pressing "Update", the List box picks up files from an address located on my Harddrive (So this is a static address located in my code).
It also finds 7 different extensions (Filetypes), and lists all of them correctly.
My problem is as follows, I want the set Button to open a File Dialog for the user on First-Time Runtime, so the user himself can choose what folder the program "Indexes or Searches" if you will. And then when he runs the application again, and finds the listbox, he can only press Update, and the listbox shows the content of the folder he choose last time.
The Set - button doesn't do anything in my code right now.
Second up, I want each filetype to be labeled or colored with a specific color.
Like; .txt should be blue, .jpg is red, ect..
Running Visual Studio 2013 if that helps.
Also, when checking my code, if you have any suggestions too, how I can improve the code, make it easier, shorter, and just to change things to avoid duplicate codes, please let me know.
Here is from the Design in VS2013
Code:
Private Sub Form_Load(sender As Object, e As EventArgs) Handles Me.Load
FolderBrowserDialog1.SelectedPath = "xxx\xxx\xxx\xxx"
System.IO.Directory.GetCurrentDirectory()
Private Sub updateButtonGame_Click(ByVal sender As System.Object, ByVal e As System.EventArgs) Handles updateButtonGame.Click
If FolderBrowserDialog1.SelectedPath = "xxx\xxx\xxx\xxx" Then
ListFiles(FolderBrowserDialog1.SelectedPath)
End If
End Sub
Private Sub ListFiles(ByVal folderPath As String)
filesListBox.Items.Clear()
Dim fi = From f In New IO.DirectoryInfo(FolderBrowserDialog1.SelectedPath).GetFiles().Cast(Of IO.FileInfo)() _
Where f.Extension = ".z64" OrElse f.Extension = ".nds" OrElse f.Extension = ".BIN" OrElse f.Extension = ".smc" OrElse f.Extension = ".ISO" OrElse f.Extension = ".nes" OrElse f.Extension = ".gb"
Order By f.Extension
Select f
For Each fileInfo As System.IO.FileInfo In fi
filesListBox.Items.Add(fileInfo.Name)
Next
End Sub
Another thing, this is more optional..
My list is completely black, so I choose to have the "Items" in the Listbox turn Light gray.
I played around with something called e.Graphics in hope to achieve Coloring a specific filetype, and it turned ALL items either Black, Red, or whatever I put it to.
But after removing the code, all Items turns into the same color as the Background color of the Listbox. So I can no longer see the elements actually being there, other than the Scroll-bar popping up on the side (Since its many Items in the folder I picked)
Also, I am not that good with coding/visual studio yet, as I started around 1 week ago to date.
Started with VB 2010 and then went to VS2013 to see if I managed to fix some issues, also related to List Box.
If I explained rather poorly, let me know and I'll update with better info.
Project was also first created in VB 2010, and then "Migrated" or opened in VS 2013.
A much, much better way to do this is with a ListView and an ImageList with some standard images for Text, Image, PDF etc in the list, then just set the image key for each item when you add them to the list.
Alternatively, you could emulate the same thing in a listbox (using OwnerDrawFixed) to draw a specified image to indicate the file type. A really good way to implement this is as an ExtenderProvider using code similar to that below as a starting point. As an EP, you can link any cbo or listbox to an image list to provide image cues very much like the ListView works:
The reason you do not see your colored item idiom very often is that whatever colors you pick will not look right on all systems. The more colors, the more likely and more often they wont have enough contrast, be readable etc with the user's color scheme. You also dont need a "Legend" to explain what the colors mean - an image is self explanatory. That said, the DrawItem code would be something like this:
NB: Listbox control is set to OwnerDrawFixed, ItemHeight = 16
Private Sub lb_DrawItem(sender As Object,
e As DrawItemEventArgs) Handles lb.DrawItem
Dim TXT As Color = Color.Black
Dim JPG As Color = Color.Green
Dim PDF As Color = Color.Blue
Dim EXE As Color = Color.Gray
Dim SEL As Color = SystemColors.HighlightText
Dim thisColor As Color = Color.Orange
Dim ndx As Integer = e.Index
' isolate ext ans text to draw
Dim text As String = lb.Items(ndx).ToString()
Dim ext As String = System.IO.Path.GetExtension(text).ToLowerInvariant
' dont do anything if no item being drawn
If ndx = -1 Then Exit Sub
' default
e.DrawBackground()
' color selector
Select Case ext
Case ".jpg"
thisColor = JPG
Case ".txt"
thisColor = TXT
Case ".exe"
thisColor = EXE
Case ".pdf"
thisColor = PDF
End Select
' override color to use default when selected
If (e.State And DrawItemState.Selected) = DrawItemState.Selected Then
thisColor = SEL
End If
' render the text
TextRenderer.DrawText(e.Graphics, text, lb.Font, e.Bounds,
thisColor, TextFormatFlags.Left)
' default
e.DrawFocusRectangle()
End Sub
Result:
Works on My SystemTM
I want to add a handwritten digital signature to some of my company's forms.
The goal is to, select a document, add a signature (through the use of a drawing pad, which can be done with Excel's Ink Tools) and store the file in the server as PDF. This would cut out the necessity of printing and then scanning the form back in to obtain a signature.
I'm using Excel for the main interface for file manipulation and search. I've not found any references/libraries for the use of Excel - Ink Tools through VBA.
How do I start Ink Tools Objects in VBA? Would I have to use a different software to get the signature?
Update:
After #Macro Man pointed me in the right direction I found some material that helped get the eSignature up and running.
I've found some material on MSDN Digital Ink Signatures - Concepts and Technologies and InkPicture Class that talk about the Ink collection on VB.net and C# through a PictureBox/Userform , this coupled with the InkEdit Control in another Stackoverflow response in which I realised that VBAs tool box had a InkPicture Control additional control that could be utilized to collect the handwritten eSignature through User form.
Please find below step by step:
In VBAs toolbox on additional control under Tools > Additional Controls there is the InkPicture Control which allows you to create a signature Userform.
Once Added InkPicture can be used as any other control on the toolbox.
Then its a case of initialising the UserForm for the Signature request. I'm using a drawing pad, but other hardware should work as well.
And storing or utilising the resultant image at need, in my case saving a temp version in the server to then resize and add to a Word document.
Edit:
After answering a similar question in here, on how to use Userform InkPicture to input image signature into a worksheet/specific cell, I thought I'd edit this answer for those interested.
The below code will allow you to, open the userform so the user can sign the ink field, save the image temperately, add the InkPicture to your worksheet and kill the temp image.
Set up your UserForm (mine is set up like this, with a couple extra options) the UserForm is named Signature_pad, the essential option you need is Private Sub Use_Click().
This is the code inside the Userform:
Private Sub Use_Click()
'dim object type and byte array to save from binary
Dim objInk As MSINKAUTLib.InkPicture
Dim bytArr() As Byte
Dim File1 As String
'get temp file path as $user\Temp\[file name]
FilePath = Environ$("temp") & "\" & "Signature.png"
' set objInk as image/strokes of InkPicture control form object
Set objInk = Me.SignPicture
'if object is not empty
If objInk.Ink.Strokes.Count > 0 Then
'get bytes from object save
bytArr = objInk.Ink.Save(2)
'create file for output
Open FilePath For Binary As #1
'output/write bytArr into #1/created (empty)file
Put #1, , bytArr
Close #1
End If
'set public File as file path to be used later on main sub
Signature.File = FilePath
Unload Me
End Sub
Private Sub Cancel_Click()
End
End Sub
Private Sub ClearPad_Click()
'delete strokes/lines of signature
Me.SignPicture.Ink.DeleteStrokes
'refresh form
Me.Repaint
End Sub
Below is the Main sub (Module called Signature) to call the userform and handle the signature, you can call this Sub with a button or form another Sub.
'public temp file path
Public File
Sub collect_signature()
'Dim and call userform
Dim myUserForm As Signature_pad
Set myUserForm = New Signature_pad
myUserForm.Show
Set myUserForm = Nothing
'insert image/signature from temp file into application active sheet
Set SignatureImage = Application.ActiveSheet.Shapes.AddPicture(File, False, True, 1, 1, 1, 1)
'scale image/signature
SignatureImage.ScaleHeight 1, True
SignatureImage.ScaleWidth 1, True
'image/signature position
SignatureImage.Top = Range("A1").Top
SignatureImage.Left = Range("A1").Left
'delete temp file
Kill File
End Sub
Be sure to rename either the Userform Name and Buttons Name Or the code to match the names of you buttons.
Is it the InkEdit Control you're after?
This is one of the standard libraries that you can find in Tools->References
I have am writing a POS application, which requires to print invoice very often.
I need to send it directly to printer instead of viewing the print dialogue. Using Reportviewer_renderingcomplete, I can avoid seeing the report but I do not know how to avoid seeing the print dialogue box and print report without user intervention?
Thanks a lot.
Here is how you can do it:
Dim m_currentPageIndex As Integer
Private m_streams As IList(Of Stream)
Dim report As New LocalReport()
report.DataSources.Add(New ReportDataSource("testData", reportData.Tables(0)))
report.ReportEmbeddedResource = "ReportsLibrary.rptTestData.rdlc"
Dim deviceInfo As String = "<DeviceInfo><OutputFormat>EMF</OutputFormat><PageWidth>8.5in</PageWidth><PageHeight>11in</PageHeight><MarginTop>0.25in</MarginTop><MarginLeft>0.25in</MarginLeft><MarginRight>0.25in</MarginRight><MarginBottom>0.25in</MarginBottom></DeviceInfo>"
Dim warnings As Warning()
m_streams = New List(Of Stream)()
report.Render("Image", deviceInfo, CreateStream, warnings)
For Each stream As Stream In m_streams
stream.Position = 0
Next
Dim printDoc As New PrintDocument()
printDoc.PrinterSettings.PrinterName = "<your default printer name>"
Dim ps As New PrinterSettings()
ps.PrinterName = printDoc.PrinterSettings.PrinterName
printDoc.PrinterSettings = ps
printDoc.PrintPage += New PrintPageEventHandler(PrintPage)
m_currentPageIndex = 0
printDoc.Print()
Where PrintPage defined as follows:
' Handler for PrintPageEvents
Private Sub PrintPage(sender As Object, ev As PrintPageEventArgs)
Dim pageImage As New Metafile(m_streams(m_currentPageIndex))
' Adjust rectangular area with printer margins.
Dim adjustedRect As New Rectangle(ev.PageBounds.Left - CInt(ev.PageSettings.HardMarginX), ev.PageBounds.Top - CInt(ev.PageSettings.HardMarginY), ev.PageBounds.Width, ev.PageBounds.Height)
' Draw a white background for the report
ev.Graphics.FillRectangle(Brushes.White, adjustedRect)
' Draw the report content
ev.Graphics.DrawImage(pageImage, adjustedRect)
' Prepare for the next page. Make sure we haven't hit the end.
m_currentPageIndex += 1
ev.HasMorePages = (m_currentPageIndex < m_streams.Count)
End Sub
This is an interesting walkthrough by Microsoft: Printing a Local Report without Preview.
It's a different approach from yours because it prints directly a report without using ReportViewer and RenderingComplete event.
In order to not display PrintDialog box you must set printDoc.PrinterSettings.PrinterName with your default printer name.
Maybe you can store this value in a user configuration file.
It is actually far more simple than you would have imagined.
Within your form, include a "PrintDocument" component from the Toolbox.
Within your code behind, you will want to call the following method on your newly added component.
PrintDoc.Print()
The documentations state that the Print() "Starts the document's printing process". It will automatically begin printing the default set printer.
As tezzo mentioned, to set the Printer manually you can use the following snippet:
PrintDoc.PrinterSettings.PrinterName = "YourPrinterNameHere"
PrintDoc.PrinterSettings.PrinterName "gets or sets the name of the printer to use" as according to documentation. And if you need any further help, check out this video.
Please note however that video does not mention how to print "silently". It is just a good reference for beginners to see how the Print Components work together.
I am trying to get my application to show data from a text file to a list box with visual basics. I have it working for small sized text files no problem, but it will not work for text files the size of say 20mb. Is there any reason why it wouldn't load such or maybe some kind of limitations?
I forgot to ask, could it possibly just a matter of having to wait a long time? The program just sits there and I can't interact with it while it's getting the data...I think anyway....
Sub OpenFiles()
Dim myName As String = Dir(downloadTo + "*.TXT")
Do While myName <> ""
lstFiles.Items.Add(myName)
myName = Dir()
Loop
End Sub
Sub ReadFiles(textFile As String)
Dim logReader As New System.IO.StreamReader(textFile)
lstSrchTxt.Items.Clear()
While logReader.EndOfStream <> True
Dim stringx As String = logReader.ReadLine
If stringx.Contains(searchText) Then
lstSrchTxt.Items.Add(stringx)
End If
End While
logReader.Close()
End Sub
The issue was that I was entering too much data and it needed time to process all of the characters.