Using the API

User must implement the PPrintableDoc-class to get printing framework to use. Also doPrinting -method must be implemented where all printable data should be added to the printable document.

public class PrinterImpl extends PPrintableDoc
{
  // Default constructor
  public PrinterIml()
  {
    setPageHeader( createPageHeader() );
  }

  // Adds all printable objects to the printable document. 
  // With this method print framework is taken to use.
  public void doPrinting()
  {
    ...
    // Create printable object and set parent for it.
    PPrintableObject textObjext = new PPrintText( "Print this.", this );

    // Add it to the printable document.
    add( textObject );
    
    // Create other printable object. Line requires starting and stopping points.
    PPrintableLine lineObject = new PPrintLine(0, 1, 0, 0, this )

    // Add it to the printable document.
    add( lineObject );
    ...
    }
  }

User should wrap printable data to printing framework printable objects, PPrintText, PPrintLine, PPrintTable, PPrintImage. Then printable documents should be added to the printable document. Objects are printed in same order as they are added to the document. User can also add header and footer on the each printed page. Default header contains just page number between two lines.

Printable data pagination is made automatically by printing framework. User should just add all printable data to the printable document and then printable objects are automatically located to pages.

Printing framework contains Print Dialog where user can modify print settings. Dialog is opened always when printing framework is launched. User can set printer and same settings as number of copies, printing range, orientation, marginals, paper source and size. Pagination is made always according those user selections and printable page count is shown to user.

Printing framework is independent component and it doesn't require other components to be taken in use.

Customizing:

Framework can be customised in a couple of ways. User can define different type of printable objects. Those should extended the PPrintableObject -class. The new printable object can be added to the printable document.

User can define other PPrintTable cell printers. Default implementation contains just text printer. User must create new PImageCellPrinter, if he wants to print images in table. New cell printer must implement PTableCellPrinter -interface and user must register it to the PPrintTable -class with setCellPrinter -method.