wpf print / print preview usercontrol

Question

I have to print to specified printer (price-label printer) some data. Data looks like ean13 barcode, price, item's title, etc

I have a few settings what to print in each case. What I want:

create usercontrol (WPF) with 2 columns. left column for print preview, and right column for settings (checkboxes, textboxes).
is user changes settings, print preview updates.

What approach should I use, to do it most right way? Now printing routine looks like:

private void DrawOnGraphics(Graphics graphics)
{
    using (var shF = new Font("Arial", 10, FontStyle.Bold))
    {
        graphics.DrawImage(_barcode, new Point(0, 0));
// etc...
}

I think it's not very good code but it works here:

var pDoc = new PrintDocument();
pDoc.PrintPage += (a, e) =>
                              {
                                  DrawOnGraphics(e.Graphics);
                                  e.HasMorePages = false;
                              };
pDoc.Print();

Can I create one 'rendering routine' for both actions: print and printpreview? Thanks. How can it be done? Should I use in XAML for print preview

<Image Source="{Binding Path=PrintPreviewImage}" />

or? :)

Main question is: how to draw own things (text, images, etc) for print and printpreview in WPF.

Should I draw desired image on canvas and use PrintVisual? – Lari13 Jan 18 '11 at 12:44 — Lari13, Jan 18 '11 at 12:44

score 0 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 19 '12 at 08:33

I tried this approach:

in ViewModel, I have public property PrintPreview (of type Grid)

in XAML i have

<ContentPresenter Content="{Binding Path=PrintPreview}" />

each of settings are binded to ViewModel properties
in private function I contruct PrintPreview property like this:

PrintPreview.Children.Clear(); var title = new TextBlock { ... }; PrintPreview.Children.Add(title); //etc.

I have "Print" method, that is binded to button "Print" in view:

PrintQueue pq = new PrintServer().GetPrintQueues(new[]
                                                     {
                                                         EnumeratedPrintQueueTypes.Local, EnumeratedPrintQueueTypes.Connections
                                                     }).FirstOrDefault(tmp => tmp.FullName.Contains("MyPrintername"));

if (pq == null)
{
    MessageBox.Show("Please, setup printer");
    return;
}

var pt = new PrintTicket();
// setting printticket
pt.PageMediaSize = new PageMediaSize(FromMMtoPx(96, WidthInMm), FromMMtoPx(96, HeightInMm));
pt.CopyCount = Copies;
pt.PageResolution = new PageResolution(203, 203);
pt.PageOrientation = PageOrientation.Portrait;
pt.PageBorderless = PageBorderless.Borderless;

var pDoc = new System.Windows.Controls.PrintDialog();
pDoc.PrintQueue = pq;
pDoc.PrintTicket = pt;

// scale for whole printer page:

var capabilities = pDoc.PrintQueue.GetPrintCapabilities(pDoc.PrintTicket);
double scale = Math.Min(capabilities.PageImageableArea.ExtentWidth / PrintPreview.ActualWidth, capabilities.PageImageableArea.ExtentHeight / PrintPreview.ActualHeight);

PrintPreview.LayoutTransform = new ScaleTransform(scale, scale);
var sz = new Size(capabilities.PageImageableArea.ExtentWidth, capabilities.PageImageableArea.ExtentHeight);
PrintPreview.Measure(sz);
PrintPreview.Arrange(new Rect(new Point(capabilities.PageImageableArea.OriginWidth, capabilities.PageImageableArea.OriginHeight), sz));
pDoc.PrintVisual(PrintPreview, "MyPrint");

It works, but I don't really know, is that good approach or not.

wpf print / print preview usercontrol

1 Answers1