How to give file name to "Microsoft print to pdf" virtual printer in C++ ?

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I should print PDF using my C++ app in Windows 10 without opening "Save file dialog". Previously I used "Generic Postscript Printer" to save file with the given name as ".ps" and than converted it to PDF using another application. Windows 10 doesn't support "Generic Postscript Printer" but has embedded "Microsoft Print to Pdf" printer. I know how to give it file name + silent printing property using C#

// initialize PrintDocument object
PrintDocument doc = new PrintDocument() {
    PrinterSettings = new PrinterSettings() {
        // set the printer to 'Microsoft Print to PDF'
        PrinterName = "Microsoft Print to PDF",

        // tell the object this document will print to file
        PrintToFile = true,

        // set the filename to whatever you like (full path)
        PrintFileName = Path.Combine(directory, file + ".pdf"),
    };
}

but can't find C++ solution. Does anybody know if it exists at all?

What I have tried:

I use StartDoc function and the printer opens the dialog for saving the file (it works well and my stream is printed fine). However, I need "silent" solution (without dialog).

Posted 5-Jun-17 23:05pm

juliashs

Updated 24-Dec-20 18:38pm

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Comments

Richard MacCutchan 6-Jun-17 5:07am

Using C++ will be the same; just set the various fields in the Printer settings before starting to print.

juliashs 6-Jun-17 5:20am

Thank you! I tried but I can't find appropriate reference for C++ for API to the printer

Richard MacCutchan 6-Jun-17 5:26am

See GDI Print API Reference (Windows)[^].

juliashs 6-Jun-17 5:41am

Yes! Thank you very much!
The following code works fine:

DOCINFO Dinfo ;
...
Dinfo.lpszOutput = (LPCSTR)"D:\\Test1.pdf";

KarstenK 6-Jun-17 6:24am

please write such answer as solution to mark it as answered. ;-)

juliashs 6-Jun-17 7:09am

Done :) thanks!

paolo guccini 6-Dec-20 11:57am

Hi Juliashs
Can You post the complete snippet you used?
Thank Very much!

2 solutions

Solution 2

Try this

// generate a file name as the current date/time in unix timestamp format
string file = (DateTime.UtcNow.Subtract(new DateTime(1970, 1, 1))).TotalSeconds.ToString();

// the directory to store the output.
string directory = Environment.GetFolderPath(Environment.SpecialFolder.MyDocuments);

// initialize PrintDocument object
PrintDocument doc = new PrintDocument() {
PrinterSettings = new PrinterSettings() {
// set the printer to 'Microsoft Print to PDF'
PrinterName = "Microsoft Print to PDF",

// tell the object this document will print to file
PrintToFile = true,

// set the filename to whatever you like (full path)
PrintFileName = Path.Combine(directory, file + ".pdf"),
}
};

doc.Print();

Posted 24-Dec-20 18:38pm

Member 11005432

Comments

Stefan_Lang 26-Dec-20 6:23am

Not helping!
1. you're 3.5 years late to the question
2. There already is a solution
3. Your post doesn't answer the question.
4. Instead you posted C# code that is already mentioned in the question itself!

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juliashs · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-06T01:09:00

Solution 1

The following code works fine: 

DOCINFO Dinfo ;
...
Dinfo.lpszOutput = (LPCSTR)"D:\\Test1.pdf";

Posted 6-Jun-17 1:09am

juliashs