Advances in Windows Printing

Daniel EmersonProgram ManagerDigital Documents Platform and SolutionsMicrosoft Corporation

Session OutlineSession Outline

Tenets of Windows Printing ImprovementsRich end-to-end document and color printing

Address technical limitations

Windows Longhorn/WinFX Print PathsBusiness impact

Development requirements

Call to Action

Session GoalsSession Goals

Ensure understanding of Longhorn Printing Landscape

End to End Data flow

Enabling vendor innovation

Provide details on technologies contributing to keynote demonstration

Metro: The Keystone of Windows PrintingMetro: The Keystone of Windows Printing

New format, code-named “Metro”, is the foundational building block for Longhorn document and printing improvements

Enabler for core Windows Printing tenets

OS will continue to support today’s drivers and application to enable innovation on new technology

Word Document Word Document (.doc)(.doc)

PublishPublish as as Metro documentMetro document

PrintPrint to Metro spool to Metro spool filefile

““Metro” is a Metro” is a document document format, a format, a spool file spool file and a PDLand a PDL

““Metro” is a Metro” is a document document format, a format, a spool file spool file and a PDLand a PDL

Tenet: Enable Document Workflow InnovationTenet: Enable Document Workflow Innovation

New print spool file is open and extensibleWell-defined container format and XML content markup

Enables vendor innovation

New applications and new spool file share content markup

Save Format = Print FormatPreserves application content and user intent

Spool file viewable using platform services

Spool file can be reintroduced into document workflows

Tenet: Enable Color Workflow InnovationTenet: Enable Color Workflow Innovation

Color data can be reliably persisted from the application to the driver

Color profiles and processing instructions can be directly embedded in the spool file

New spool file supports representation greater than 8 bpc color

Improved communication of color capabilities and settings

Applications can control color processing“Turn-off” system color management in the new print path

Drivers can more completely express color capabilities

Tenet: Realizing WYSIWYGTenet: Realizing WYSIWYG

Maintain the contract between screen and printConsistent format for electronic publishing and print publishing ensures fidelity

Support Enterprise printing trendsIn-house printing enabled through improved output fidelity

Print on Demand requires alignment of producer and consumer

Architecture Impacts of TenetsArchitecture Impacts of Tenets

Improve abstraction of hardware from softwareBuilt on a rich content spool file format

Native support for transparency and gradients

Enable applications to print to any device without unnecessary “workarounds”

Provide new opportunities for print driver innovation

Enable modular, extensible framework

Eliminate spool file size limitationsFacilitate advanced graphics printing for large format media

Eliminate content bloat from format translation

Remove infrastructure limits on maximum spool file size

Windows Longhorn Print Paths

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Architecture Overview: Simplified ViewArchitecture Overview: Simplified View

Win32 App WinFX App

GDI/DDI Driver MetroDrv Driver

Existing PDLDevice

Metro Device

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GDI to Metro PP Metro to

GDI PP

New driver model extension, code-named “MetroDrv”

Provided by:Provided by:

MicrosoftMicrosoft

ISVISV

IHVIHV

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Architecture OverviewArchitecture Overview

Win32 App WinFX App

GDI/DDI Driver MetroDrv Driver

Existing PDL Device

Metro Device

Metro to GDIConversion

GDI to MetroConversion

EMF Metro

New spool file format, code-named “Metro”

Provided by:Provided by:

MicrosoftMicrosoft

ISVISV

IHVIHV

Beneficial for ApplicationsBeneficial for Applications

Print path selection automatic for both GDI and MetroDrv driver and devices

Print Subsystem handles conversion paths

Conversions preserve and optimize original content within the bounds of the print path

Delivers the value of Metro drivers and devices to Win32 applications

Win32 application can be optimized for conversion path for additional improvements

Beneficial for DriversBeneficial for Drivers

Print path selection automatic for both Win32 and WinFX applications

Print Subsystem handles conversion paths

Enables “scalable consumption”IHV can optimize driver to complement device functionality

Enhanced Version 3 driver model: MetroDrvMetroDrv offers better flexibility

Extensible filter pipeline, filter reuse, rich spool file format

MetroDrv offers better fidelityWYSWYG preservation of application content

Beneficial for DevicesBeneficial for Devices

Allows direct consumption of the spool file in the device

Enables PCs, mobile devices and removable storage to directly print to supporting devices

Multi-function devices become active workflow participants

Devices are both sources and destinations for document content

Print Path Components: Metro Spool File FormatPrint Path Components: Metro Spool File Format

Open, extensible format for fixed layout, paginated content

Better integrates printing into document and color workflows

Word Document Word Document (.doc)(.doc)

ConsumeConsume in in driver or driver or

directly in printer directly in printer as a PDLas a PDL

PublishPublish as as Metro documentMetro document

PrintPrint to printer to printer(Metro spool file)(Metro spool file)

Metro is a Metro is a document document format, a format, a spool file spool file and a PDLand a PDL

Print Path Components: MetroDrv DriverPrint Path Components: MetroDrv Driver

Extends the existing Version 3 print driver modelWorks with Point and Print downlevel to Windows XP

Consumes the Metro spool file format

Enables vendor innovation through a filter pipeline

Designed for print processing, rendering, and post-processing functionality

MS provides the infrastructure and DDK samples

Enable application compatibility through built-in GDI to Metro conversion

Attend “Foundation Technologies for the Document Life Cycle” presentation for more information on Metro consumption

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WinFX Content ProductionWinFX Content Production

WinFX App

GDI/DDI Driver MetroDrv Driver

Existing PDL Device

Metro Device

Metro to GDIConversion

EMF Metro

Provided by:Provided by:

MicrosoftMicrosoft

ISVISV

IHVIHV

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Metro Print PathMetro Print Path

WinFX App

MetroDrv Driver

Existing PDL Device

Metro Device

Metro

Provided by:Provided by:

MicrosoftMicrosoft

ISVISV

IHVIHV

Metro Print Path DetailsMetro Print Path Details

Optimal printing path for fidelity and performanceMetro content from application (production) to driver/device (consumption) – end to end support

Spooler is “Metro-aware”Native spool file

Direct spooling path

ComponentsWinFX application

MetroDrv driver

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Metro to GDI Conversion Print PathMetro to GDI Conversion Print Path

WinFX App

GDI/DDI Driver

Existing PDL Device

Metro to GDIConversion

EMF

Provided by:Provided by:

MicrosoftMicrosoft

ISVISV

IHVIHV

Metro to GDI Conversion Print Path DetailsMetro to GDI Conversion Print Path Details

Ensures WinFX applications can print to existing drivers

Print Subsystem intelligently converts content within the capabilities of GDI

Transparency is flattened

Gradients are simulated

Complexity gradient and transparency interaction may be rasterized for performance

WinFX printing infrastructure simulates a Win32 application printing

ComponentsWinFX Application

GDI/DDI Driver

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Win32 Content ProductionWin32 Content Production

Win32 App

GDI/DDI Driver MetroDrv Driver

Existing PDL Device

Metro Device

GDI to MetroConversion

EMF Metro

Provided by:Provided by:

MicrosoftMicrosoft

ISVISV

IHVIHV

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GDI to Metro Conversion Print PathGDI to Metro Conversion Print Path

Win32 App

MetroDrv Driver

Existing PDL Device

Metro Device

GDI to MetroConversion Metro

Provided by:Provided by:

MicrosoftMicrosoft

ISVISV

IHVIHV

GDI to Metro Conversion Print Path DetailsGDI to Metro Conversion Print Path Details

Enables Win32 applications to print to MetroDrv drivers

Conversion is bundled in MetroDrv driver package

Conversion optimizes for Metro benefitsResource reuse

Font subsetting

Transparency and gradient optimizations

ComponentsWin32 Application

MetroDrv Driver

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GDI Print PathGDI Print Path

Win32 App

GDI/DDI Driver

Existing PDL Device

EMF

Provided by:Provided by:

MicrosoftMicrosoft

ISVISV

IHVIHV

GDI Print Path DetailsGDI Print Path Details

Existing GDI Printing still available for Windows Longhorn

ComponentsWin32 Application

GDI/DDI Driver

Print Paths Comparisons: QualityPrint Paths Comparisons: Quality

Win32 App WinFX App

GDI/DDI Driver MetroDrv Driver

PS/PCL Device Metro Device

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GDI to Metro PP Metro to

GDI P

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Baseline quality.Baseline quality.Today’s print pathToday’s print path

Baseline quality.Baseline quality.Today’s print pathToday’s print path

Good.Good. Optimizations Optimizations for transparencies for transparencies and gradients, post and gradients, post GDI/GDI+.GDI/GDI+.

Good.Good. Optimizations Optimizations for transparencies for transparencies and gradients, post and gradients, post GDI/GDI+.GDI/GDI+.

Best.Best. Transparencies and Transparencies and gradients are gradients are graphics primitive graphics primitive attributes and attributes and natively consumed natively consumed by devices/drivers.by devices/drivers.

Best.Best. Transparencies and Transparencies and gradients are gradients are graphics primitive graphics primitive attributes and attributes and natively consumed natively consumed by devices/drivers.by devices/drivers.

Better.Better. Flattening Flattening filters applied to filters applied to improve fidelity of improve fidelity of transparency and transparency and gradients, gradients, converted to GDI.converted to GDI.

Better.Better. Flattening Flattening filters applied to filters applied to improve fidelity of improve fidelity of transparency and transparency and gradients, gradients, converted to GDI.converted to GDI.

Provided by:Provided by:

MicrosoftMicrosoft

ISVISV

IHVIHV

Print Paths Comparisons: PerformancePrint Paths Comparisons: Performance

Win32 App WinFX App

GDI/DDI Driver MetroDrv Driver

PS/PCL Device Metro Device

GD

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rint

Pat

hM

etro Print P

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GDI to Metro PP Metro to

GDI P

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Baseline quality.Baseline quality.Today’s print pathToday’s print path

Baseline quality.Baseline quality.Today’s print pathToday’s print path

Better.Better. Graphics Graphics optimizations, font optimizations, font subsetting and subsetting and resource reuse resource reuse support in support in conversion reduce conversion reduce spool file sizespool file size

Better.Better. Graphics Graphics optimizations, font optimizations, font subsetting and subsetting and resource reuse resource reuse support in support in conversion reduce conversion reduce spool file sizespool file size

Best.Best. Native Native graphical primitives, graphical primitives, resource resource management, and management, and native spool file native spool file support result in support result in highest highest performance.performance.

Best.Best. Native Native graphical primitives, graphical primitives, resource resource management, and management, and native spool file native spool file support result in support result in highest highest performance.performance.

Good.Good. Intelligent Intelligent flattening reduces flattening reduces rasterization.rasterization.

Good.Good. Intelligent Intelligent flattening reduces flattening reduces rasterization.rasterization.

Provided by:Provided by:

MicrosoftMicrosoft

ISVISV

IHVIHV

Call to ActionCall to Action

Understand Longhorn Print ArchitectureIdentify strategic devices to target the Metro Print Path

Identify extension scenarios

Understand the Windows Color System

Review the Metro v.7 specification and provide feedback to prninfo @ microsoft.com

http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/print/metro.mspx

Start implementation with Beta 1

Convert GDI/DDI based drivers to MetroDrv driversExplore the sample filters in Longhorn Beta 1 WDK

Consider on-device rendering with a RIP implementationA reference implementation is planned for Longhorn Beta 1 tools

Visit the WinHEC Hardware Showcase and vendor booths in the exhibition

Community ResourcesCommunity Resources

Community Siteshttp://www.microsoft.com/communities/default.mspx

List of Newsgroupshttp://communities2.microsoft.com/communities/newsgroups/en-us/default.aspx

Attend a free chat or webcasthttp://www.microsoft.com/communities/chats/default.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/seminar/events/webcasts/default.mspx

Locate a local user group(s)http://www.microsoft.com/communities/usergroups/default.mspx

Non-Microsoft Community Siteshttp://www.microsoft.com/communities/related/default.mspx

Additional ResourcesAdditional ResourcesMSDN Developer Community Chats:

Printer Drivers -- Ask the Experts Online http://msdn.microsoft.com/chats/windows/windows_102402.aspWindows Drivers: Printer Drivers http://msdn.microsoft.com/chats/windows/windows_101602.aspWindows Drivers Printing and Networking http://msdn.microsoft.com/chats/windows/windows_022002.asp

Web resourcesWS-Devices Profile:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/webservices/understanding/specs/default.aspx?pull=/library/en-us/dnglobspec/html/devprof.asp Printer Working Grouphttp://www.pwg.org WHDC Printing home page: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/print/default.mspxWHDC Still Imaging / WIA home page: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/stillimage/default.mspxColor Use Caseshttp://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/display/color/WCS_cases.mspx

“Writing Effective Use Cases”, Alistair Cockburn, ISBN 0201702258

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

E-mailFor developer print questions: prninfo @ microsoft.com

For developer scan questions: wiainfo @ microsoft.com

For developer color questions: mscolor @ microsoft.com

Developer kit references:SDK for Print Schema User Manual and Keywords: http://winfx.msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/printschema/PrintSchema/Overviews/PrintSchema_entry.asp

WDK for PT/PC interfaces: Reference\Printer Driver and Spooler Component Interfaces\Printer Driver Functions and Structures\Unidrv and Pscript Interfaces\Methods for Print Ticket Providers and Consumers

WinFX Print System ObjectDocumentation available in WinFX Beta 1 SDK

Related Sessions: WinHEC 2005Related Sessions: WinHEC 2005

April 25:Foundation Technologies for the Document Life Cycle

Windows Color System Overview

Ask the Experts:Windows Color

Windows Printing

Windows Document Technology

Avalon

April 27:Avalon Imaging Codec Architecture: Overview

Web Services for Devices: the .NET Vision Realized

New Document Life Cycle Opportunities