Set of tools for interactiong with Apple ImageWriter II dot-matrix printers:
ansi2iwii: Tool to convert ANSI escape sequences to those compatible with the ImageWriter II.iwiigfx: Tool to print B&W and color pictures using an ImageWriter II
The image was printed using iwiigfx on images/test.bmp:
./iwiigfx -o /dev/ttyUSB0 -i images/test.bmp -H 72 -V 72 -S -R
images/test.bmp was generated using ImageMagick's convert utility, along with
the palette file provided in images/palette.bmp:
convert test.tiff -resize 128x128 -dither FloydSteinberg -map palette.bmp -colors 8 test.bmp
The text to the right of the image was printed by pipeing test.sh through ansi2iwii with a margin of 24
characters. The close line spacing is left-over from the settings for the image print, but can be changed
through ansi2iwii and the -l or -L flag.
./test.sh | ./ansi2iwii -o /dev/ttyUSB0 -c -U -q 2 -M 24
$ ./ansi2iwii --help
ansi2iwii: Convert ANSI escape codes to Apple ImageWriter II escape codes
Basic Options:
-i, --input=FILE Read input from FILE, use `-` for stdin (default)
-o, --output=FILE Write output to FILE, use `-` for stdout (default)
-b, --baud=RATE Set baud rate to use when output is set to the printer's serial
port. Values 300, 1200, 2400, and 9600 (default) are accepted
-F, --flow=MODE Set flow control mode when using serial as output
0: None
1: XON/XOFF (default)
2: RTS/CTS
-N, --no-setup Do not configure printer via escape codes on startup
Common Format Options:
-f, --font=FONT Set default font to use:
0: Extended
1: Pica
2: Elite (default)
3: Semicondensed
4: Condensed
5: Ultracondensed
6: Pica proportional
7: Elite proportional
8: Custom
-q, --quality=QUAL Set print quality to use:
0: Draft (default)
1: Standard
2: Near Letter Quality
-c, --color[=COLOR] Enable support for color, set default color if supplied.
0: Black (default)
1: Red
2: Green
3: Yellow
4: Blue
5: Purple
6: Orange
-t, --tab=WIDTH Set tab width, in characters (default is 8)
NOTE: Tab positions are relative to the starting font
-l, --lpi=LPI Set number of lines per inch, 6 (default) or 8
-L, --line-spacing=SPACE Set spacing between lines, in 144ths of an inch (1-99)
Page Settings:
-M, --left-margin=MARGIN Set left margin in characters
-p, --pagelen=LENGTH Set page length in 144ths of an inch
-P, --skip-perforation[=EN] Enable/disable continuous-form perforation skip
Misc. Print Settings:
-U, --unidirectional[=EN] Enable/disable unidirectional printing
-A, --auto-linefeed[=EN] Enable/disable automatic linefeed at end of line
-Z, --slashed-zero[=EN] Enable/disable slashed-zeros
-D, --double-width[=EN] Enable/disable double-width
-S, --prop-spacing=DOTS Set proportional dot spacing (0-9)
Miscellaneous:
-I, --identify Retrieve printer identification and exit
NOTE: Must be provided prior to specifying output
-h, --help Display this help message
-v, --verbose[=LEVEL] Increase verbosity, can be supplied multiple times, or desired
verbosity can be directly supplied
$ ./iwiigfx --help
iwiigfx: Print B&W and color images using an ImageWriter II
Basic Options:
-i, --image=FILE Read image from FILE, use `-` for stdin (default)
Image must be in BMP format, with no more than 8 used colors,
which must match those in the provided palette.bmp.
-o, --output=FILE Write output to FILE, use `-` for stdout (default)
-b, --baud=RATE Set baud rate to use when output is set to the printer's serial
port. Values 300, 1200, 2400, and 9600 (default) are accepted
-F, --flow=MODE Set flow control mode when using serial as output
0: None
1: XON/XOFF (default)
2: RTS/CTS
Graphics Options:
-H, --hdpi=DPI Horizontal DPI, values of 72 (default), 80, 96, 107, 120,
136, 144, and 160 are supported
-V, --vdpi=DPI Vertical DPI, values of 72 (default), and 144 are supported.
-O, --hoff=OFFSET Set horizontal offset in dots
-R, --return-to-top Return to top of image after completion
-s, --sequential-color Print image one color at a time. This can potentially reduce
color bleed or ribbon staining when printing at 144 dpi vertical
resulution.
Miscellaneous:
-h, --help Display this help message
Currently only a subset of SGR (Screen Graphic Rendition) ANSI escape sequences
(following the form of ESC[<num>[...]m) are supported:
| SGR | Description | IWII | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Reset | (multiple) | |
| 1 | Bold | ESC ! |
|
| 3 | Italic | ESC w |
Approximating using half height text on the IWII side |
| 4 | Underline | ESC X |
|
| 8 | Conceal | N/A | Prints spaces while enabled |
| 9 | Strikethrough | \b- |
Prints - over each character (slow) |
| 10 | Primary Font | (multiple) | Set via --font, defaults to Elite |
| 11-19 | Set Font | (multiple) | See --help for details |
| 22 | Normal Intensity/Bold Off | ESC " |
|
| 23 | Italic Off | ESC W |
See note on 3 |
| 24 | Underline Off | ESC Y |
|
| 26 | Proportional Spacing | (multiple) | Sets font to pica/elite proportional |
| 28 | Conceal Off | N/A | |
| 29 | Strikethrough Off | N/A | |
| 30-37 | Set Foreground Color | (multiple) | Cyan (6) represented by orange |
| 50 | Proportional Spacing Off | (multiple) | |
| 73 | Superscript | ESC x |
|
| 74 | Subscript | ESC y |
|
| 75 | Superscript/Subscript Off | ESC z |
Additional ImageWriter II escape codes are supported through command-line options.