DDS for printer files

Specifying dots to be printed in the dot matrix

When you define a dot matrix pattern for a user-defined character, specify nine 2-digit pairs of hexadecimal digits. Each 2-digit pair corresponds with a column in the matrix, the first pair with the first column, the second pair with the second column, and so forth. Specify the left character of each pair to control which dots are printed in the upper half of the column. Specify the right character to control the lower half.

Use the approach shown in Figure 14 to specify the dot matrix pattern for a copyright mark, which prints as (C).

Figure 14. Specifying the dot matrix for a copyright mark

Illustration depicts the matrix for a copyright mark, highlighting column 2, which is specified as x'7E'. The binary equivalent is 0111 1110, which corresponds to the placement of dots in column 2.

Use the form in Figure 15 to plan your dot patterns and specify the required hex digits for characters as large as three columns wide by three lines high. In this grid pattern, mark the dot patterns for as many as nine print positions (three across and three down).

Figure 15. Grid pattern for specifying dot matrix Characters

Illustration is a blank grid of 27 columns by 24 rows.

Use Table 4 to determine which hex digit to specify for each half-column in the grid pattern.

Table 4. Hex digits for the bit patterns

Bit Patterns Hex Digits Bit Patterns Hex Digits
0000 0 1000 8
0001 1 1001 9
0010 2 1010 A
0011 3 1011 B
0100 4 1100 C
0101 5 1101 D
0110 6 1110 E
0111 7 1111 F

For each print position, complete one row of the grid pattern, shown in Figure 16. There should be one pair of hex digits to each box.

Figure 16. Completing the Grid Pattern

An illustration of a blank grid box, with spaces beside each row to enter hex digits to define each row.


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