Writer/Artist: How to Print a Kids Document to a File (125458)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Creative Writer
  • Microsoft Creative Writer for Windows 1.1
  • Microsoft Creative Writer for Windows 1.1a
  • Microsoft Creative Writer for Windows 2.0
  • Microsoft Fine Artist for Windows 1.0
  • Microsoft Fine Artist for Windows 1.1
  • Microsoft Fine Artist for Windows 1.1a
This article was previously published under Q125458

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use the Print To File feature in Microsoft Windows to print a Creative Writer or Fine Artist document to a printer attached to a computer on which Creative Writer and Fine Artist are not installed.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 95/98

To print a Creative Writer or Fine Artist document to a file on a Windows 95/98-based computer and then use the print file to print the document on another computer, follow these steps:
  1. Determine the model of printer attached to the computer you want to use to print the document, and note the settings for the printer.
  2. On the computer on which Creative Writer or Fine Artist is installed, install and configure the driver for the printer you want to use. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Printers.
    2. Double-click Add Printer, and then click Next.
    3. Click Local Printer, and then click Next.
    4. In the Manufacturers box, click the name of the manufacturer of the printer you want to use.
    5. In the Models box, click the model of printer you want to use, and then click Next.
    6. In the Available Ports box, click File, and then click Next.
    7. In the Printer Name box, type a name for the printer, click Yes, and then click Next.
    8. When you are prompted to print a test page, click No, and then click Finish.
    9. Follow the instructions on the screen to finish installing the printer.
    10. In the Printers window, right-click the printer you want to use, and then click Properties.
    11. Configure the settings match the printer settings on the computer you want to use to print the document.
    12. Click OK, and then close the Printers window.
  3. Start Creative Writer or Fine Artist, and then open the document you want to print.
  4. Print the document. When you are prompted to save the print file, follow these steps:
    1. In the Save In box, click Desktop.
    2. In the File Name box, type a file name of eight or fewer characters.
    3. Click OK.
  5. Quit Creative Writer or Fine Artist.
  6. Insert a blank, formatted disk into the floppy disk drive.
  7. On the desktop, right-click the <filename>.prn file where <filename> is the file name you typed in step 4, point to Send To, and then click 3 1/2 Floppy (A).
  8. Insert the disk into the floppy disk drive on the computer you want to use to print the document.
  9. Open an MS-DOS window.
  10. At the command prompt, type the following line, and then press ENTER

    copy a:\<filename>.prn lpt1: /b

    where <filename> is the file name you typed in step 4.
  11. Type exit, and then press ENTER.

Windows 3.1x

To print a Creative Writer or Fine Artist document to a file on a Windows 3.1x-based computer and then use the print file to print the document on another computer, follow these steps:
  1. Determine the model of printer attached to the computer you want to use to print the document, and note the settings for the printer.
  2. On the computer on which Creative Writer or Fine Artist is installed, install and configure the driver for the printer you want to use. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. Follow the instructions provided by the printer manufacturer to install the printer drivers.
    2. In the Main group in Program Manager, double-click Control Panel.
    3. Double-click the Printers icon.
    4. Click Connect.
    5. In the Ports box, click File, and then click OK.
    6. Click Close.
    7. Close Control Panel.
  3. Start Creative Writer or Fine Artist, and then open the document you want to print.
  4. Print the document. When you are prompted to save the print file, type the following line, and then click Save

    c:\<filename>.prn

    where <filename> is a file name of eight or fewer characters.
  5. Quit Creative Writer or Fine Artist.
  6. Insert a blank, formatted disk into the floppy disk drive.
  7. Copy the print file to the floppy disk. To do so, follow these steps:
    1. In the Main group in Program Manager, double-click the MS-DOS Prompt icon.
    2. At the command prompt, type the following line, and then press ENTER

      copy c:\<filename>.prn a:\

      where <filename> is the file name you typed in step 4.
    3. At the command prompt, type exit, and then press ENTER.
  8. Insert the disk into the floppy disk drive on the computer you want to use to print the document.
  9. Open an MS-DOS window.
  10. At the command prompt, type the following line, and then press ENTER

    copy a:\<filename>.prn lpt1: /b

    where <filename> is the file name you typed in step 4.
  11. Type exit, and then press ENTER.
For more information about how to use the Print To File command, or about how to use the MS-DOS prompt, see your Windows printed documentation or online Help.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/15/2005
Keywords:kbhowto kbhowto kbprint kbusage KB125458
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