How to print PDF on default network printer using GhostScript (gswin32c.exe) shell command

Maciej picture Maciej · Apr 8, 2010 · Viewed 40.4k times · Source

I'd like to print PDF file(s) on windows' network printer via GhostScript.
(I dont want to use Adobe Reader)

I've read gswin32c.exe which can do the job.
I experimented with many commands and coudn't find the way how to force gs to print PDF on my (windows default) network drive.

I don't need point exact network printer- default can be used. But if there is no such option I'm happy to pass printer name as well. (I've tried with param -SDevice="\server_IP\printer_name" but this didnt work as well...)

Command working under Windows cmd:

gswin32c -dPrinted -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -dNOSAFER -q -dNumCopies=1 -sDEVICE=ljet4 -sOutputFile="\\spool\\\Server_Name\Printer_name" "C:\test.pdf"

Method created base on above - doesnt work and thorws exception. (Error code = 1)

    /// <summary>
    /// Prints the PDF.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="ghostScriptPath">The ghost script path. Eg "C:\Program Files\gs\gs8.71\bin\gswin32c.exe"</param>
    /// <param name="numberOfCopies">The number of copies.</param>
    /// <param name="printerName">Name of the printer. Eg \\server_name\printer_name</param>
    /// <param name="pdfFileName">Name of the PDF file.</param>
    /// <returns></returns>
    public bool PrintPDF (string ghostScriptPath, int numberOfCopies, string printerName, string pdfFileName) {
        ProcessStartInfo startInfo  = new ProcessStartInfo();
        startInfo.Arguments         = " -dPrinted -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -dNOSAFER -q -dNumCopies=" + Convert.ToString(numberOfCopies) + " -sDEVICE=ljet4 -sOutputFile=\"\\\\spool\\" + printerName + "\" \"" + pdfFileName + "\"";
        startInfo.FileName          = ghostScriptPath; 
        startInfo.UseShellExecute   = false;

        Process process = Process.Start(startInfo);

        return process.ExitCode == 0;
    }

Any idea how to make it working under C#?

Answer

Maciej picture Maciej · Apr 8, 2010

I've finally made it working and easy for debugging.
My final method code for those interested:

    /// <summary>
    /// Prints the PDF.
    /// </summary>
    /// <param name="ghostScriptPath">The ghost script path. Eg "C:\Program Files\gs\gs8.71\bin\gswin32c.exe"</param>
    /// <param name="numberOfCopies">The number of copies.</param>
    /// <param name="printerName">Name of the printer. Eg \\server_name\printer_name</param>
    /// <param name="pdfFileName">Name of the PDF file.</param>
    /// <returns></returns>
    public bool PrintPDF (string ghostScriptPath, int numberOfCopies, string printerName, string pdfFileName) {
        ProcessStartInfo startInfo  = new ProcessStartInfo();
        startInfo.Arguments         = " -dPrinted -dBATCH -dNOPAUSE -dNOSAFER -q -dNumCopies=" + Convert.ToString(numberOfCopies) + " -sDEVICE=ljet4 -sOutputFile=\"\\\\spool\\" + printerName + "\" \"" + pdfFileName + "\" ";
        startInfo.FileName          = ghostScriptPath; 
        startInfo.UseShellExecute = false;

        startInfo.RedirectStandardError = true;
        startInfo.RedirectStandardOutput = true;

        Process process = Process.Start(startInfo);

        Console.WriteLine( process.StandardError.ReadToEnd() + process.StandardOutput.ReadToEnd() );

        process.WaitForExit(30000);
        if (process.HasExited == false) process.Kill();


        return process.ExitCode == 0;
    }