Author Topic: Using Brother PT2730 label printer with Ideas Genie Pro (Read 16757 times)

ideasguy · « **on:** September 15, 2012, 12:22:12 AM »

The Brother PT2730 prints durable labels suitable for Horticultural use.
The labels program (GA048) in Ideas Genie Pro has been amended to allow you to print labels from your own Ideas Genie Pro database.
For the downloads below to work, you need to have Ideas Genie Pro installed on your computer.

Download this:
http://www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/igpro-fileset-ende.exe
and
http://www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/GA048-dl.exe
When installed, start GA048 (under Labels tab) Should indicate Version 40 (or later)

Start the labels program GA048.
In the initial screen, use the Select a label popup and select Brother PT2730
Then click New Labels.
Screen GA048S09 appears.
This is a new screen.

Start by selecting a Tape size, and a Label length (try 50mm to start with).

The screen allows you to select plants as before (other label screens you are used to).
However,you don't place plants on labels as in the other methods.
You click the Add to chain list button.
This creates an entry in the list box on the left (under the heading This is the list of labels to be printed)
Each plant you click and add to the list can be printed in a chain on the PT2730. In another topic we discussed how this was the most economic method to print labels, avoiding excessive waste.
To print two or more labels simply repeat click on the Add to chain list button.

Having selected plant(s) for labels, click the Edit button.
Enter text for each plant label, saving changes as you go.

On return to screen GA048S09, click the Print button with the Preview checkbox checked.
The first label is displayed.
Make sure all your text is showing. If not, edit again and shorten your text, or choose a longer label.

Each label is a page in the preview. Click next to page through the list of labels.

When you are happy with the text, uncheck the Preview checkbox and click Print (make sure your PT2730 is turned on).

A prompt screen appears to allow you to choose a printer. It should be PT2730 by default.
(If you are using a Brother PT2100 then select that device)
Now click the Preferences button.
To chain the output
In the screen which appears, uncheck the Auto cut checkbox
Check the Chain Printing checkbox
Click OK
Click Print

I'll do a web page with screenshots tomorrow.

bossgard · « **Reply #1 on:** September 15, 2012, 03:28:43 PM »

Printed out three different plant labels, using text data from IdeasGenie Pro from my computer to PT2730.

Worked out fine, just as you said it would.
A little problem with working and understanding final step.

Please clarify:
‘Click next to page through the list of labels.’
Does that mean ‘click through plant list on left panel’?

In preview, will it take a length of time to bring each of the three labels in view?
I only could get first label to show in preview, not the other two,
but was able to print the three different labels in chain as I had entered.

I did have to shorten text, considerably, but that’s OK, it gives me enough identification to use.
I used my 24mm tape, my tape order is supposed to arrive this afternoon. I will then have the three sizes to use.

Have to be gone for awhile this morning, will check this afternoon when I get back to see if you have screenshots ready!

Thanks, George! Another IdeasGenie Pro software feature that you can be very proud of!

roiphil · « **Reply #2 on:** September 15, 2012, 08:43:18 PM »

i have only printed a single lable of so far for testing layout etc as i am using a different make of PT printer All good until i got to the prompt screen for which printer i did not get that bit so i just went into printers and made pt2100 default printer, job sorted 1 label printed correct width and length, will have a play some more tomorrow

many thanks for update
phil

ideasguy · « **Reply #3 on:** September 15, 2012, 09:11:15 PM »

That's very good news indeed Phil. I'm very pleased that it also works for the PT2011.

To Toby:
Many thanks for your ever encouraging support (where would I be without you

)
Screenshots to follow shortly.
You seem to be OK apart from the preview. When the preview appears, you'll see a toolbar.
Only one label appears in each page.
Use the little arrow icons on the preview toolbar to advance to the 2nd and 3rd labels (each on a new page).
You need to display each preview to make sure your text is as expected on the label.

Note: Once you create a label for a plant, the text is saved - for the Label size and label design you selected (for printing). Thus you can edit and save label details for your preferred size and design combinations. If you ever need to print another label, the details are automatically reused when you add the plant to another printing chain list.

bossgard · « **Reply #4 on:** September 15, 2012, 09:31:01 PM »

Yes, it was the 'page' turners (icons), I hadn't looked that closely. Everything seems to work OK now! I can preview each label and proof it's text.

That 'save' feature is going to be nice to have, too!

I will be like Phil is going to be doing, playing all day this afternoon and tomorrow. A new gardening tool, huh?

To Phil - It's nice to have you posting on the Forum again, we have missed you.
Are you still working with the Xmas tree project you had in mind, it sounded like such and interesting project. Tell us about it, when you can find time.

bossgard · « **Reply #5 on:** September 15, 2012, 10:34:03 PM »

My PT tape order has just arrived, so I now have 1/2" to work with, along with the 1".

roiphil · « **Reply #6 on:** September 16, 2012, 11:39:20 AM »

morning all, a bit more playing and i have a small problem all is ok in selecting the plants and editing etc, i did not get this yesterday as i only printed out 1 label and today i printed out 3

but when i preview the second label has a line missing from it

i printed it out thinking it may just be an error somewhere but it does print out with that line missing, what is actually happening i think, for some reason i am getting an extra line added below line 2 with inturn drops line 3 down so you lose line 4

could it have something to do with me having to make my pt2100 the default printer if i dont do this it prints out on the normal printer as i dont get any of this appear

A prompt screen appears to allow you to choose a printer. It should be PT2730 by default.
(If you are using a Brother PT2100 then select that device)
Now click the Preferences button.
To chain the output
In the screen which appears, uncheck the Auto cut checkbox
Check the Chain Printing checkbox
Click OK
Click Print

Toby thanks for asking yes still doing xmas trees i will have to fill you all in, in an appropriate category on the forum

Phil

ideasguy · « **Reply #7 on:** September 16, 2012, 12:28:41 PM »

Its caused by the editing Phil and I don't think it has anything to do with the PT2100..
Edit that label text again.
Remove any spaces from the end of lines after the word White. Play with the editing to see if you can eliminate that blank line.
Will test myself later - under pressure to get ready to go out for Sunday lunch

roiphil · « **Reply #8 on:** September 16, 2012, 02:45:11 PM »

As always george you are correct, went into editing the label, put my printing line |

at the beginning of the third row clicked left pointing arrow key

that raise the row into the end of the 2nd row but there was a gap so i clicked the row along til there was only one letter space between them then clicked on enter which dropped the 3rd row down again and all sorted printed as it should
thank you
phil

ideasguy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 16, 2012, 04:55:46 PM »

Well, I'm very pleased it worked, Phil (and I DO very much wish I was correct all the time

).
I'm now working on additng the same kind of feature into the Plant LabelsPrint options in GA100S36. I have it working, just have to tidy it up a bit. That will allow any plant to be selected from the database or garden area and printed on demand. Stand by

ideasguy · « **Reply #10 on:** September 17, 2012, 09:48:11 PM »

Ive now done an update to GA004 to allow you to print to Brother from there.

Download this:
http://www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/GA004-dl.exe
Start GA004.
Should indicate Version 55 (or higher)

Look on the initial screen, GA004S01, bottom right region.
New button Print Label (PT2730)
Select a plant and Click that new button.

Toby and Phil: Please let me know how it works for you

Screenshots to follow

bossgard · « **Reply #11 on:** September 18, 2012, 12:15:21 AM »

George, did you miss a step or two?

I can do it this way – (I might leave out some steps.)

GA004S01 – single click plant and click on Print Label (PT 2730)

GA100S67 – click on ‘label data’ (on right side)

GA04805 – click on ‘use this data’

Click on ‘back’

Make sure tape size and type size are selected

Go into preview and then print from tool bar.

If I don’t do it this way, I don’t get any data in the ‘text to be printed on label’

It works ok going through these steps . . . .

ideasguy · « **Reply #12 on:** September 18, 2012, 12:35:31 AM »

Yes, you can do it like that - well done Toby!
In that method, the Brother PT2730 will print in Auto Cut mode.
Ive now done the instructions and a few screenshots:
http://www.ideasgenie.com/Brother-PT2730/brother-pt2730.html
The method I described allows you to select from the full range of options in that Preferences screen.
The one I prefer is Chain Printing as it uses less tape.

Use your method to do a single label. Try the Chain Printing method if you have a number of labels to print in one session.

ideasguy · « **Reply #13 on:** September 18, 2012, 12:53:44 AM »

I had to make a change to both programs - they were previewing OK, but weren't printing the 24mm tape labels.

Please download again:
Download this:
http://www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/GA004-dl.exe

and

http://www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/GA048-dl.exe

roiphil · « **Reply #14 on:** September 18, 2012, 09:31:10 AM »

that worked ok for me with the first update i got a second screen up GA100S67 with the plant name on, had to select 18mm that then put he label info into the preview box, still had to make pt2100 default printer but apart from that worked ok 1 label printed

do i need to download these 2 new updates

ideasguy · « **Reply #15 on:** September 18, 2012, 10:02:07 AM »

Thanks for the feedback Phil - very good news!

I'll now amend that web page to include the instructions for the PT2100 - its great that it works for other Brother devices.

The updates apply to 24mm tape. If you are using 18mm then you are OK - no rush in your case

Palustris · « **Reply #16 on:** September 18, 2012, 10:55:33 AM »

As you know I do not label, but I downloaded these things just in case.
Running GA048 I get this message.

roiphil · « **Reply #17 on:** September 18, 2012, 11:49:37 AM »

Quote from: ideasguy on September 18, 2012, 10:02:07 AM

Thanks for the feedback Phil - very good news!

I'll now amend that web page to include the instructions for the PT2100 - its great that it works for other Brother devices.

The updates apply to 24mm tape. If you are using 18mm then you are OK - no rush in your case

good it maybe worth a mention that if you do not get the option to select printer pop up you then have to go into control panel select printer and make your brother printer the default printer whilst using this way then when finished go pack into control panel - printers and make your normal printer the default printer again

editing
if you remember this topic
http://www.flowergenie.co.uk/ideas/forum/index.php/topic,930.0.html

i did get the select printer option popup when we were sorting this out or should i say when you made the update available for printing via the PT2100 so question why would i not be getting the option to select printer pop up now is it because the update is for your PT printer and because i dont have that PT software installed on my pc i dont get the printer preferences pop up

phil

ideasguy · « **Reply #18 on:** September 18, 2012, 11:55:02 AM »

Thanks Phil

Eric (Palustris)
You need to do the fileset download as mentioned in the opening message in this topic.
Here it is again - please download this:
http://www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/igpro-fileset-ende.exe
Let me know how it goes.
I'd like you to do a test Eric (and anyone else who doesnt have a Brother printer).
After you get the fileset downloaded and the latest version of GA048 - version 40 or higher - downloaded from here:-,
http://www.ideasgenie.com/updates-igpro/GA048-dl.exe

...select the label Brother 2730 (bottom of dropdown list).
Try creating a label and try the Print preview. Does it show you the things in the screenshots in this lesson?:-
http://www.ideasgenie.com/Brother-PT2730/brother-pt2730.html

Palustris · « **Reply #19 on:** September 18, 2012, 12:49:25 PM »

Did that and got this message

Palustris · « **Reply #20 on:** September 18, 2012, 12:54:43 PM »

Just Downloaded and Installed the Downloads again and still get the same message.

roiphil · « **Reply #21 on:** September 18, 2012, 01:00:17 PM »

Quote from: Palustris on September 18, 2012, 12:54:43 PM

Just Downloaded and Installed the Downloads again and still get the same message.

eric are you on vista as i get the same messages sometimes, all i do is click on the programme installed correctly then go into igpro and check version number and try it out

phil

ideasguy · « **Reply #22 on:** September 18, 2012, 01:55:06 PM »

Eric:
Run GA048. If the program starts and you can select the label Brother PT2730 then the installation has been successful - and that stupid message can be ignored. Its a weird way of asking you if the installation failed, and if not, giving an alternative way to do the download.

bossgard · « **Reply #23 on:** September 18, 2012, 03:40:43 PM »

I am doing OK with it now!
Just need a little bit more time to understand what the program will do.
I had missed the ‘downward arrow’ in GA100S67 previously.
Instructions and screenshots helped a lot.
Have printed out several samples of labels with the PT2730.
Am eager to give them a test out in the weather and subject
them to some ‘torture’.

ideasguy · « **Reply #24 on:** September 18, 2012, 04:28:57 PM »

Good work Toby! Now to see how those labels last. Its going to take a year or more before we can say if they are as good as we expect. Lets hope they are a success. Phil has reported that is are still good after 3 years!