Virtual PostScript Printer

Description

This project implements a virtual PostScript printer using C#. It creates a TCP listener that acts as a network printer, intercepts print jobs, saves them as PostScript files, and converts them to PDF format using Ghostscript.NET.

Features

• Acts as a virtual network printer on localhost:8888
• Intercepts print jobs and saves raw PostScript data
• Converts PostScript files to PDF using Ghostscript.NET
• Extracts metadata from print jobs (title, author, filename)
• Logs server activities and individual print job details

Prerequisites

• Windows operating system
• .NET 6.0 or later
• Ghostscript installed on the system (required for Ghostscript.NET)

Setup

1. Install Ghostscript

Download and install Ghostscript from the official website: https://www.ghostscript.com/releases/gsdnld.html

2. Install Required NuGet Packages

Open the project in your code editor and install the following NuGet package:

• Ghostscript.NET

3. Configure the Virtual Printer in Windows

• Run addprinter.ps1 powershell script as Admin

• Manual installation

1. Go to 'Printers & scanners' in Windows Settings
2. Click 'Add a printer or scanner' (and wait a sec)
3. Choose 'The printer that I want isn't listed'
4. Select 'Add a printer using a an IP address or hostname'
5. Enter the following details:
   • Device type: TCP/IP Device
   • Hostname or IP address: 127.0.0.1
   • Port name: 8888
6. Click 'Next'

• (windows will try to detect a printer on this port config ... you will get an error, ignore it and keep the setting to General Network Card and click next)*

7. For the driver, select 'Microsoft PS Class Driver'
8. Choose a printer name (e.g., "Virtual PostScript Printer")
9. Complete the wizard

Usage

1. Run the application. It will start listening for print jobs on localhost:8888.

2. Send a print job to the virtual printer you set up.

3. The application will:

   • Save the raw PostScript file
   • Convert the PostScript to PDF
   • Extract and log metadata
   • Save all files and logs in the 'PrintJobs' directory (by default)

4. Check the 'PrintJobs' directory for:

   • Original PostScript files (.ps)
   • Converted PDF files (.pdf)
   • Job log (job_log.txt)
   • Server log (server_log.txt)

Installation (Run Powershell as Admin)

• Use the powershell installer script to install the service.
• Make sure it is the same directory as the compiled exe of the service

Customization

• To change the output directory, modify the PrintServer constructor call in Program.cs.
• To adjust PDF conversion settings, modify the ConvertPsToPdf method in PrintServer.cs.

Troubleshooting

• Ensure Ghostscript is properly installed and its bin directory is in your system PATH.
• Check that no other application is using port 8888.
• Review the server_log.txt for any error messages or issues.

Acknowledgments

• This project uses Ghostscript.NET, which is based on Ghostscript.