Change envelop orientation in paper-sizes.xml

[mariobl]

Although we have no corresponding stationery products to the envelopes defined in paper-sizes.xml, I can create my own template based on it. Today I tried to generate a new template. The c5, c6 and dl envelopes are usually used in landscape format, but because in the definition in paper-sizes.xml the width is smaller than the height, I get a template in portrait orientation. For printing, this would be OK, but not for designing the layout.

I know, gLabels was designed for creating printable labels and cards. However, its design features are also well-suited for printing on other items, such as envelopes. How about adding "Generic Paper Sizes" to the selection dialog (in a separate tab or as part of "Search All"), based on the paper-sizes.xml file?

[j-evins]

I am not sure I understand - the default editing orientation is always horizontal, no matter the orientation of the template. For example, I created the following template:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<Glabels-templates xmlns="http://glabels.org/xmlns/3.0/">

  <Template brand="Generic" part="10 Envelope" size="number10" _description="Test Envelope">
    <Label-rectangle id="0" round="0" width="4.125in" height="9.5in" waste="0.25in">
      <Markup-margin size="0.25in"/>
      <Layout nx="1" ny="1" x0="0in" y0="0in" dx="0in" dy="0in"/>
    </Label-rectangle>
  </Template>
</Glabels-templates>

When I select this template, my editing view looks like this

The properties view looks like this

Even if it auto selected the wrong orientation you can change it here.

I agree, I do plan on adding a selection of generic templates for things like this. I may also need to accommodate printers that expect the envelopes to be fed in landscape mode too -- my printer always wanted them in portrait.

[mariobl]

Strange… Following your approach, I get the same result. I'm wondering how I got the portrait orientation.

I agree, I do plan on adding a selection of generic templates for things like this. I may also need to accommodate printers that expect the envelopes to be fed in landscape mode too -- my printer always wanted them in portrait.

The "usual" printers have a maximum feeder width of 215 mm (US letter width), so they can't accept a DL envelop with 220 mm. As far as I can evaluate, even larger printers will not insist on printing envelopes in landscape format. As long as we make sure that the layout can be easily edited in landscape format and the printer receives it in portrait format, we don't need to change anything.

Regarding the generic paper sizes, do you think you can offer the sizes in the template designer directly? Or do we need a bunch of "dummy" templates, one for each size in paper-sizes.xml?

[sur5r]

Something lika an Epson LQ680 could do that. For laser printers, the width is not the real problem. A3 capapble ones exist. It's the length in feed direction. If it is too short, the paper will not reach the next transport roller and get stuck.

As label printing often targets special printers I think it's a good idea if glabels doesn't impose limits on physical media orientation.

[mariobl]

Regarding the generic paper sizes, do you think you can offer the sizes in the template designer directly? Or do we need a bunch of "dummy" templates, one for each size in paper-sizes.xml?

This has been solved in #307. I close this PR now.