Calling StartXpsPrintJob1()

Question

I'm trying to use the StartXpsPrintJob1 API in C#.

However, I couldn't find any information about it using Google. This method is not listed on pinvoke.net.

Seems I have to translate the C++ code, including classes and interfaces, into C# and use some kind of dllimport? Unfortunately, I have zero knowledge about C++.

How can I acheive this?

Yes, quite unlikely you'll find any sample. This api is wrapped [by the .NET Framework](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/framework/wpf/advanced/how-to-programmatically-print-xps-files). — Hans Passant, Aug 12 '18 at 08:30
There is a XpsPrint.dll that you can reference it to your project ..[also check](https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/dd374565(v=vs.85).aspx) — IteratioN7T, Aug 12 '18 at 08:37
Thanks for the quick reply, I tried to add reference of `XpsPrint.dll` but it said invalid assembly, then i try to use `TlbImp` to wrap it, still no luck, it said `XpsPrint.dll is not a valid type library` — nathan1658, Aug 12 '18 at 08:40
@HansPassant Thanks i'll give it a try, just curious about the efficient improvement of `StartXpsPrintJob1` between `StartXpsPrintJob` — nathan1658, Aug 12 '18 at 08:47
If you are curious about an obscure detail of the XPS printing api then it is best to ask a question about it. — Hans Passant, Aug 12 '18 at 08:54
Use swig tool to generate API from c++ dll code http://www.swig.org — M.Hassan, Aug 12 '18 at 11:34

paulsm4 · Answer 1 · 2018-08-12T19:07:08.293

The error "invalid assembly" is would probably occur if you tried to import XpsPrint.dll into your project as a .Net library: it's actually a "native code" library :(

In theory, you should be able to copy/paste this example into a new MSVS/C# project:

How to: Programmatically Print XPS Files.

You'll notice that it just "prints" - it doesn't use any XPS-specific APIs.

If that doesn't work for you, this link might also help:

Programmatically print an XPS file to a physical printer

Finally, please note in the Microsoft documentation:

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ff686814(v=vs.85).aspx

[The XPS Print API is not supported and may be altered or unavailable in the future. Client applications should use the Print Document Package API instead.]

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Aug 13 '18 at 15:58

Seems I have to translate the C++ code, including classes and interfaces, into C# and use some kind of dllimport?

You can save time and effort and use a tool named SWIG, (Sourceforge project page) to generate c# code that generate dllimport.

How to use:

Download SWig for windows
Create c++ header file that represent StartXpsPrintJob1 , name the file xpsheader.h

create interface file e.g example.i

%module example
 %{
 /* Includes the header in the wrapper code */
 #include "xpsheader.h"
 %}

 /* Parse the header file to generate wrappers */
 %include "xpsheader.h"

Run the command:

swig -csharp example.i

The tool generate punch of files with one file named examplePINVOKE.cs

In fact, it is important to know that SWIG is a fairly complete C++ compiler with support for nearly every language feature. This includes preprocessing, pointers, classes, inheritance, and even C++ templates. SWIG can also be used to package structures and classes into proxy classes in the c# target language---exposing the underlying functionality in a very natural manner.

Calling StartXpsPrintJob1()

2 Answers2