Preface
*******

This manual documents the use of the GIMP-Print package, focusing mainly on the libgimpprint library that is the core of GIMP-Print. Parts of the manual which describe the use of libgimpprint are aimed primarily at programmers, and do assume that the reader is familiar with C programming, and using standard programming tools on GNU or UNIX systems. Other parts of the manual document the use of the programs that make up the GIMP-Print package, and assume no knowledge other than the basics of using a shell and editor.

The best way to learn how to use libgimpprint in your own programs is to read the manual from start to finish, using the examples given in the text to learn how it works. The bulk of the manual can be used as a reference once one understands the basics.

The manual is split into several parts for the programmer.  It starts with a simple usage example of how to link a program with libgimpprint, then how to integrate this into package build scripts, using make, autoconf and automake.  This is followed by a detailed function reference, including descriptions of all the data types used.

For the end-user, there is a section on all of the programs that come with GIMP-Print, including the GIMP print plugin, and the CUPS and Ghostscript drivers.

The appendices at the end of the manual detail the dither and weave algorithms used in libgimpprint, the ESC/P2 printer control language used in Epson printers and how to add support for a new printer to libgimpprint.

We hope you enjoy using GIMP-Print!
---The GIMP-Print project