Posted by: rick.ca
« on: September 05, 2010, 03:37:29 am »Welcome, Craig.
And my long-winded version of the same answer...
The problem with printing from a database application is number of different types of reports users might want is virtually unlimited. So the requirement to produce output for printing is handled in the same way as outputting data for any purpose—by exporting. The data exported is formatted as specified by the selected template. Note that each of the items appearing in your export menu is a template. These templates are managed at Preferences - Plugins - Plain text export. Don't be confused by the term "plain text." It's appropriate in the sense the plugin is for outputting plain text, but templates can add formatting so the resulting files are in whatever format is required. For example, for printed reports, the result could no formatting (so the result is truly plain text), HTML (for display in a browser), Rich Text Format (for a word processor), etc. The results would then be printed using the application designed for the format used (i.e., text editor, browser or word processor).
So the process of printing reports is as follows:
1. Display the movies to be included in the report using Filters and/or Advanced search (e.g., to select a particular genre).
2. Export the movies displayed using the appropriate template.
3. Most templates are configured to automatically open the exported file in the associated program. So, for example, an HTML report would be opened in your browser. Use that program's print facility to print the report.
As you've probably noticed from the post above, I recommend trying svenne's export templates. They're not yet included in the installation package, so you'll have to download and install them. I believe svenne's topic covers how to do that (it's not difficult). Zacca also has posted a very slick template here. It produces a condensed list (which might be what you want for printing), but on mouse-over (in the browser) each movie expands to include details. Those, along with the templates already installed, will give you some choices. You may need to adjust your expectation of what a "list" is, or modify one of the templates to suit your needs.
And my long-winded version of the same answer...
The problem with printing from a database application is number of different types of reports users might want is virtually unlimited. So the requirement to produce output for printing is handled in the same way as outputting data for any purpose—by exporting. The data exported is formatted as specified by the selected template. Note that each of the items appearing in your export menu is a template. These templates are managed at Preferences - Plugins - Plain text export. Don't be confused by the term "plain text." It's appropriate in the sense the plugin is for outputting plain text, but templates can add formatting so the resulting files are in whatever format is required. For example, for printed reports, the result could no formatting (so the result is truly plain text), HTML (for display in a browser), Rich Text Format (for a word processor), etc. The results would then be printed using the application designed for the format used (i.e., text editor, browser or word processor).
So the process of printing reports is as follows:
1. Display the movies to be included in the report using Filters and/or Advanced search (e.g., to select a particular genre).
2. Export the movies displayed using the appropriate template.
3. Most templates are configured to automatically open the exported file in the associated program. So, for example, an HTML report would be opened in your browser. Use that program's print facility to print the report.
As you've probably noticed from the post above, I recommend trying svenne's export templates. They're not yet included in the installation package, so you'll have to download and install them. I believe svenne's topic covers how to do that (it's not difficult). Zacca also has posted a very slick template here. It produces a condensed list (which might be what you want for printing), but on mouse-over (in the browser) each movie expands to include details. Those, along with the templates already installed, will give you some choices. You may need to adjust your expectation of what a "list" is, or modify one of the templates to suit your needs.
That will likely be an adaptation of the HTML List template so it includes a poster and less text. Give the latest version a try, and then post your comments/request to the linked topic.