Setting options for PCL export

Options are set up on the 'Advanced' page of the Configuration dialogue for that format:
either choose PCL document from the Options|Configuration|General dialogue (f8) then click the Advanced... button,
or click PCL options... from the File|Export dialogue (ctrl + E), see Exporting files to PCL.

To set options for PCL export

1.	Select Use data compression when exporting to modern printers; adaptive compression methods reduce the size of files containing images.

2.	If you would like to store text as longer phrases (to improve searching) select combine text strings together.

You may reduce the size of the file by choosing to render all but text as graphic, which retains the 'text' features (e.g. search).
You may reduce the size of the file further by choosing to render as graphic instead. In addition, you may now choose to Include text as well as the graphic; this would use least memory of all.
See notes below.

It is usually best to select include TrueType fonts unless you are using a printer that does not support TrueType fonts. If this is not selected then bitmapped fonts will be used, which in some cases may result in a smaller output file depending on the point sizes used.
If you have set up substitute fonts in the 'Fonts | Substitute Fonts...' dialog, select use standard fonts if substitute font given.
Select keep original element order if the document has ordered opaque elements (e.g. shading) to overwrite text or lines.
Select LIDIL (graphics only) printer if exporting to Lightweight Imaging Device Interface Language printers.
Select printer supports scalable images unless you are using an old printer that cannot handle scaled graphics.

5.	Tick the omit blank pages option if required, for example when exporting a document which is to be viewed on screen (not printed) from a duplex original.

6.	PCL specialists may wish to tick Keep PJL comments to copy existing PJL comments to the output file. The Do not use PJL commands option may be used to remove unwanted PJL from the output if the printer is not strictly PCL compatible.

7.	Set the resolution for line drawing and images and for text positioning: 600dpi or 300dpi.

8.	Experts preferring to create macros from the PCL must fill-in the save as a macro section; choose: Permanent - macro retained from one job to the next, or Temporary - macro deleted from printer at the end of the current job. Enter the macro number (EscapeE initially defaults to 100).

9.	To use a different input tray from that specified in the original document, use the spin box to set up the original tray number and enter the new tray number in the box alongside.

10.	To use a different output bin from that specified in the original document, use the spin box to set up the original bin number and enter the new bin number in the box alongside.

In addition, when you have finished setting up the options, you may also choose to create a Shortcut icon that uses all the options you have set by clicking Shortcut... (see Shortcuts - the easy way to construct a command line) or Click the Save button to retain these settings after you close the program.

Notes

An HP PCL file may be rendered as a graphic only or as a graphic with text. The 'graphic only' option will produce an accurate image from the file, including an image of the text, but cannot be used for extracting text for further processing. Exporting the file as 'graphic with text' retains the text features and consumes less memory.

Creating macros using PCL export outputs a totally new PCL file using mainly HP-GL commands. Ticking 'render as graphic' eliminates possible font problems.