for my current project, I'm looking for a really simple workaround. I do a random graphic in Processing, and when the code has finished the graphic it should print on my printer. But preferable without the dialog etc. Just print it on paper.
I was looking around the Internet and several Java forums, but I only found "overkill" tutorials. (like this: http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/jw-10-2000/jw-1020-print.html)
Is there an easy way to do this?
If there is no easy way to directly call the printer, you may use the java Robot class, here is an example on how to use it: How to simulate keyboard presses in java?
I'm answering this 8 years late, but hopefully it helps anyone who finds this thread.
First save the image / frame that you want to print with a definite path:
save(“image_to_print.png”);
Then add this method to your sketch:
void printImage(String path) {
Process p = exec("lp", path);
try {
int result = p.waitFor();
println("the process returned " + result);
}
catch (InterruptedException e) {
println("error : " + e);
}
}
Now just call the method with the relevant filename and path:
printImage("/Users/me/Desktop/printDemo/image_to_print.png");
It's the equivalent of running the following in your command line interface:
lp image_to_print.txt
Here's a medium post explaining this.
I've heard good things about GDSPrinting. While I've not used it and according to that page it's version 0.2, it may be a solution for you.
As has been said too many times before: Java and Printers don't get along very well. I wish you luck.
This is definitely a hack, but if you can't find what you're looking for, script taking a screenshot (keyboard command) and open a photo editor and print. http://sikuli.org/ can automate pressing buttons (like print) and you can execute external commands from Processing using open()
