Using Stored Information

Several types of stored information are used when printing data on an Advanced Function Printers. For example, your company logo often appears in your printed output. You can code this logo one time, and then store it in a library where it is available to any authorized person.

IBM Advanced Function Printers use information from resource libraries. A resource is a collection of stored data that can be used in a printing job. Some resource libraries contain control information that converts data from line printing to page printing. Examples of this type of library include:

• Form definition libraries, that contain the specifications to describe how pages of data are placed on the physical media
• Page definition libraries, that contain the specifications to describe how line data is placed into pages.

Other resource libraries contain information that the program uses to compose pages. Examples of this type of library include:

• Font libraries, which contain characters to be printed.
• Page segment libraries, which contain images and graphics.
• Overlay libraries, which contain collections of unchanging data that can contain images, text, or combinations of both.

  Instead of using preprinted forms, you can use electronic overlays to put boxes, lines, shading, text, and logos on a page. Using electronic overlays can result in significant savings in forms cost and storage space, as well as operator time required to load and unload preprinted forms. Also, you can change electronic overlays more quickly and without paying the scrap charges you have when you change preprinted forms.

Although IBM provides some of these resources for common uses, Advanced Function Presentation licensed programs enable your company to customize its own resources. See IBM Advanced Function Presentation Software for more information about these programs.