SOLVED: Documents printed by FlexiPDF to .prn, not .pdf

[ecbritz]

When I print a normal Textmaker document with the FlexiPDF printer, I end up with a .prn file, not a .pdf file opened by FlexiPDF -- as I should, according to the FlexiPDF Quick Start Guide. Why a .prn file and not a .pdf file ? How should I "Convert to PDF" using FlexiPDF?

I can of course "Export to PDF" with Textmaker. But printing with the FlexiPDF printer is also supposed to create a PDF.

I found this answer in "Questions frequently asked" (about FlexiPDF 2019). The answer works, it solves the problem:
(1) Open the Windows Task Manager
(2) Select the Startup Tab
(3) Scroll down to "PrintDisp"
(4) Click on "Enable"
("PrintDisp" was probably disabled)

Why was this known solution not mentioned in this thread?

[martin-k]

Sorry, where do you see a "Convert to PDF" command? In any application, you choose their Print command and select the FlexiPDF printer driver.

[ecbritz]

The expression "Convert to PDF" is not a command but the title of an instruction in the Quick User Guide. It is explained here that if you print a document to FlexiPDF, the result will be a pdf, opened for you by the FlexiPDF program. You are told to make sure the FlexiPDF printer driver has been installed. I followed the instruction religiously but produced a .prn file, not a pdf.

[ecbritz]

Please note that I wrote and sent the previous message with my phone. Perhaps the terminology used is not 100%.

[martin-k]

Have you checked the checkbox "Print to file" in your application? You should not do that.

[ecbritz]

Thanks for your appreciated advice. I have unfortunately not succeeded in creating a pdf file by printing a Textmaker document with the FlexiPDF printer. Perhaps I don't understand this facility. I am expecting a pdf version of the docx file I would otherwise be saving to appear on my desktop, where I display newly created files. This does not happen. And FlexiPDF does not open to display a "pdf version of the docx file" either. I attach a picture to show how I am stumped.

I found this answer in "Questions frequently asked" (about FlexiPDF 2019). This answer works, it solves the problem:
(1) Open the Windows Task Manager
(2) Select the Startup Tab
(3) Scroll down to "PrintDisp"
(4) Click on "Enable"
("PrintDisp" was probably disabled)

[ecbritz]

How do I create a pdf version of a text file typed with Textmaker using the FlexiPDF printer -- other than employing the failed method outlined in my posting above?

[Jossi]

Just out of curiosity: Why would you want to use the FlexiPDF printer to convert your TextMaker document into a PDF instead of using the built-in PDF export function?

[ecbritz]

Simply because I am learning FlexiPDF 2019 and seem to be on the wrong track when something does not work. I also notice that some pdfs are converted by FlexiPDF to MS Word documents quite well, others not. This function is more important than the first. The only good (online) program I know that will convert just about anything to just about anything else, successfully, is smallpdf.com. At a hefty yearly subscription price.

I found the answer to my original question in "Questions frequently asked" (about FlexiPDF 2019). This answer works, it solves the problem:
(1) Open the Windows Task Manager
(2) Select the Startup Tab
(3) Scroll down to "PrintDisp"
(4) Click on "Enable"
("PrintDisp" was probably disabled)

[martin-k]

Why was this known solution not mentioned in this thread?

Because your reported symptoms do not match the symptoms in the tips & tricks article.

P.S.: Please post in chronological order instead of going back and editing the original posting. Our discussions here are also for other readers, and if you break the order, they are impossible to follow.

[ecbritz]

Sorry, my apologies. I got more than one response to my question and thought I should answer all.
If a problem is solved after some misnomers, quite possible when a Windows setting rather than a Softmaker command procedure is involved, would adding SOLVED to the title of the final posting in a thread also confuse the users? Or should one not tamper with the title even in such a case? While I am at it, I am trying to draw a black line around a T+ insert, i.e. put the insert into a box. How do I do this?

[Jossi]

While I am at it, I am trying to draw a black line around a T+ insert, i.e. put the insert into a box. How do I do this?

After inserting a Text box (Object > New text frame), right-click the border and choose "Properties...", then tab "Lines".

[martin-k]

Adding "SOLVED" to the initial subject line is OK and encouraged.