gtk.PrintOperation
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## gtk.PrintOperation

gtk.PrintOperation — a high-level printing API (new in PyGTK 2.10)

## Synopsis

    class gtk.PrintOperation(gobject.GObject, gtk.PrintOperationPreview):
        gtk.PrintOperation()
        def set_default_page_setup(default_page_setup=None)
        def get_default_page_setup()
        def set_print_settings(print_settings=None)
        def get_print_settings()
        def set_job_name(job_name)
        def set_n_pages(n_pages)
        def set_current_page(current_page)
        def set_use_full_page(full_page)
        def set_unit(unit)
        def set_export_filename(filename)
        def set_track_print_status(track_status)
        def set_show_progress(show_progress)
        def set_allow_async(allow_async)
        def set_custom_tab_label(label)
        def run(action, parent=None)
        def get_error()
        def get_status()
        def get_status_string()
        def is_finished()
        def cancel()

## Ancestry

    +-- gobject.GObject
      +-- gtk.PrintOperation (implements gtk.PrintOperationPreview)

## gtk.PrintOperation Properties

"allow-async" | Read-Write | If `True` the print operation may run asynchronously or not. Some systems don't support asynchronous printing, but those that do will return `gtk.PRINT_OPERATION_RESULT_IN_PROGRESS` as the status, and emit the done signal when the operation is actually done. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.
"current-page" | Read-Write | The current page in the document. If this is set before `gtk.PrintOperation.run()`, the user will be able to select to print only the current page. Note that this only makes sense for pre-paginated documents. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.
"custom-tab-label" | Read-Write | Used as the label of the tab containing custom widgets. Note that this property may be ignored on some platforms. If this is `None`, GTK+ uses a default label. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.
"default-page-setup" | Read-Write | The `gtk.PageSetup` used by default. This page setup will be used by `gtk.PrintOperation.run()`, but it can be overridden on a per-page basis by connecting to the "request-page-setup" signal. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

"export-filename"

Read-Write

The name of a file file to generate instead of showing the print dialog. Currently, PDF is the only supported format. The intended use of this property is for implementing "Export to PDF" actions. "Print to PDF" support is independent of this and is done by letting the user pick the "Print to PDF" item from the list of printers in the print dialog. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

"job-name" | Read-Write | A string used to identify the job (e.g. in monitoring applications like eggcups). If you don't set a job name, GTK+ picks a default one by numbering successive print jobs. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

"n-pages"

Read-Write

The number of pages in the document. This must be set to a positive number before the rendering starts. It may be set in a "begin-print" signal hander. Note that the page numbers passed to the "request-page-setup" and "draw-page" signals are 0-based, i.e. if the user chooses to print all pages, the last "draw-page" signal will be for page `n_pages` - 1. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

"print-settings" | Read-Write | The `gtk.PrintSettings` used for initializing the dialog. Setting this property is typically used to re-establish print settings from a previous print operation, see the `gtk.PrintOperation.run()` method. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.
"show-progress" | Read-Write | If `True` show a progress dialog during the print operation. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.
"status" | Read | The status of the print operation. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.
"status-string" | Read | A string representation of the status of the print operation. The string is translated and suitable for displaying the print status e.g. in a `gtk.Statusbar`. See the "status" property for a status value that is suitable for programmatic use. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

"track-print-status"

Read-Write

If `True`, the print operation will try to continue report on the status of the print job in the printer queues and printer. This can allow your application to show things like "out of paper" issues, and when the print job actually reaches the printer. However, this is often implemented using polling, and should not be enabled unless needed. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

"unit" | Read-Write | The transformation for the cairo context obtained from `gtk.PrintContext` is set up in such a way that distances are measured in units of `unit`. This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

"use-full-page"

Read-Write

If `True`, the transformation for the cairo context obtained from `gtk.PrintContext` puts the origin at the top left corner of the page (which may not be the top left corner of the sheet, depending on page orientation and the number of pages per sheet). Otherwise, the origin is at the top left corner of the imageable area (i.e. inside the margins). This property is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

## gtk.PrintOperation Signal Prototypes

gobject.GObject Signal Prototypes

gtk.PrintOperationPreview Signal Prototypes

"begin-print | `def callback(`operation`, `context`, `user_param1`, `...`)`
"create-custom-widget | `def callback(`operation`, `user_param1`, `...`)`
"custom-widget-apply | `def callback(`operation`, `widget`, `user_param1`, `...`)`
"done | `def callback(`operation`, `result`, `user_param1`, `...`)`
"draw-page | `def callback(`operation`, `context`, `page_nr`, `user_param1`, `...`)`
"end-print | `def callback(`operation`, `context`, `user_param1`, `...`)`
"paginate | `def callback(`printoperation`, `context`, `user_param1`, `...`)`
"preview | `def callback(`operation`, `preview`, `context`, `parent`, `user_param1`, `...`)`
"request-page-setup | `def callback(`operation`, `context`, `page_nr`, `setup`, `user_param1`, `...`)`
"status-changed | `def callback(`operation`, `printoperation`, `user_param1`, `...`)`

## Description

`gtk.PrintOperation` is the high-level, portable printing API. It looks a bit different than other GTK+ dialogs such as the `gtk.FileChooser`, since some platforms don't expose enough infrastructure to implement a good print dialog. On such platforms, `gtk.PrintOperation` uses the native print dialog. On platforms which do not provide a native print dialog, GTK+ uses its own, see `gtkunixprint.PrintUnixDialog`.

The typical way to use the high-level printing API is to create a `gtk.PrintOperation` object with the `gtk.PrintOperation` constructor when the user selects to print. Then you set some properties on it, e.g. the page size, any `gtk.PrintSettings` from previous print operations, the number of pages, the current page, etc.

Then you start the print operation by calling the `gtk.PrintOperation.run()` method. It will then show a dialog, let the user select a printer and options. When the user finished the dialog various signals will be emitted on the `gtk.PrintOperation`, the main one being "draw-page", which you are supposed to catch and render the page on the provided `gtk.PrintContext` using Cairo.

Example 3. The high-level printing API

    settings = None

    def do_print():
      print = gtk.PrintOperation()

      if settings != None:
        print.set_print_settings(settings)

      print.connect("begin_print", begin_print)
      print.connect("draw_page", draw_page)

      res = print.run(gtk.PRINT_OPERATION_ACTION_PRINT_DIALOG, main_window)

      if res == gtk.PRINT_OPERATION_RESULT_APPLY:
          settings = print.get_print_settings()

Printing support was added in GTK+ 2.10.

## Constructor

### gtk.PrintOperation

        gtk.PrintOperation()

Returns : | a new `gtk.PrintOperation`

### Note

This constructor is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

Creates a new `gtk.PrintOperation`.

## Methods

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_default_page_setup

        def set_default_page_setup(default_page_setup=None)

`default_page_setup` : | a `gtk.PageSetup`, or `None`

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_default_page_setup`() method makes `default_page_setup` the default page setup.

This page setup will be used by the `gtk.PrintOperation.run()` method, but it can be overridden on a per-page basis by connecting to the "request-page-setup" signal.

### gtk.PrintOperation.get_default_page_setup

        def get_default_page_setup()

Returns : | the default page setup

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `get_default_page_setup`() method returns the default page setup, see the `gtk.PrintOperation.set_default_page_setup()` method.

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_print_settings

        def set_print_settings(print_settings=None)

`print_settings` : | `gtk.PrintSettings`, or `None`

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_print_settings`() method sets the print settings. This is typically used to re-establish print settings from a previous print operation, see the `gtk.PrintOperation.run()` method.

### gtk.PrintOperation.get_print_settings

        def get_print_settings()

Returns : | the current print settings.

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `get_print_settings`() method returns the current print settings.

Note that the return value is `None` until either the `gtk.PrintOperation.set_print_settings()` or `gtk.PrintOperation.run()` methods have been called.

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_job_name

        def set_job_name(job_name)

`job_name` : | a string that identifies the print job

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_job_name`() method sets the name of the print job. The name is used to identify the job (e.g. in monitoring applications like eggcups).

If you don't set a job name, GTK+ picks a default one by numbering successive print jobs.

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_n_pages

        def set_n_pages(n_pages)

`n_pages` : | the number of pages

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_n_pages`() >method sets the number of pages in the document.

This must be set to a positive number before the rendering starts. It may be set in a "begin-print" signal hander.

Note that the page numbers passed to the "request-page-setup" and "draw-page" signals are 0-based, i.e. if the user chooses to print all pages, the last "draw-page" signal will be for page `n_pages` - 1.

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_current_page

        def set_current_page(current_page)

`current_page` : | the current page, 0-based

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_current_page`() method sets the current page.

If this is called before `gtk.PrintOperation.run()`, the user will be able to select to print only the current page.

Note that this only makes sense for pre-paginated documents.

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_use_full_page

        def set_use_full_page(full_page)

`full_page` : | `True` to set up the `gtk.PrintContext` for the full page

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_use_full_page`() method sets the "full-page" property to the value of `full_page`. If `full_page` is `True`, the transformation for the cairo context obtained from `gtk.PrintContext` puts the origin at the top left corner of the page (which may not be the top left corner of the sheet, depending on page orientation and the number of pages per sheet). Otherwise, the origin is at the top left corner of the imageable area (i.e. inside the margins).

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_unit

        def set_unit(unit)

`unit` : | the unit to use

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_unit`() method sets up the transformation for the cairo context such distances are measured in units of `unit`.

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_export_filename

        def set_export_filename(filename)

`filename` : | the filename for the exported file

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_export_filename`() method sets up the `gtk.PrintOperation` to generate a file instead of showing the print dialog. The intended use of this method is for implementing "Export to PDF" actions. Currently, PDF is the only supported format.

"Print to PDF" support is independent of this and is done by letting the user pick the "Print to PDF" item from the list of printers in the print dialog.

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_track_print_status

        def set_track_print_status(track_status)

`track_status` : | if `True` track status after printing

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_track_print_status`() method sets the "track-print-status" to the value of `track_status`. If `track_status` is `True`, the print operation will try to continue report on the status of the print job in the printer queues and printer. This can allow your application to show things like "out of paper" issues, and when the print job actually reaches the printer.

This method is often implemented using some form of polling, so it should not be enabled unless needed.

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_show_progress

        def set_show_progress(show_progress)

`show_progress` : | if `True` show a progress dialog

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_show_progress`() method sets the "show-progress" property to the value of `show_progress`. If `show_progress` is `True`, the print operation will show a progress dialog during the print operation.

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_allow_async

        def set_allow_async(allow_async)

`allow_async` : | if `True` allow asynchronous operation

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_allow_async`() method sets the "allow-async" to the value of `allow_async`. If `allow_async` is `True` the `gtk.PrintOperation.run()` may return before the print operation is completed. Note that some platforms may not allow asynchronous operation.

### gtk.PrintOperation.set_custom_tab_label

        def set_custom_tab_label(label)

`label` : |

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `set_custom_tab_label`() method sets the label for the tab holding custom widgets.

### gtk.PrintOperation.run

        def run(action, parent=None)

`action` : | the action to start - one of the GTK Print Operation Action Constants
`parent` : | Transient parent of the dialog, or `None`

Returns :

the result of the print operation - one of the GTK Print Operation Result Constants. A return value of `gtk.PRINT_OPERATION_RESULT_APPLY` indicates that the printing was completed successfully. In this case, it is a good idea to obtain the used print settings with the `gtk.PrintOperation.get_print_settings()` method and store them for reuse with the next print operation. A value of `gtk.PRINT_OPERATION_RESULT_IN_PROGRESS` means the operation is running asynchronously, and will emit the "done" signal when done.

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `run`() method runs the print operation, by first letting the user modify print settings in the print dialog, and then print the document.

Normally that this method does not return until the rendering of all pages is complete. You can connect to the "status-changed" signal to obtain some information about the progress of the print operation. Furthermore, it may use a recursive mainloop to show the print dialog.

If you call the `gtk.PrintOperation.set_allow_async()` method or set the "allow-async" property the operation will run asyncronously if this is supported on the platform. The "done" signal will be emitted with the operation results when the operation is done (i.e. when the dialog is canceled, or when the print succeeds or fails).

          if settings != None:
            print.set_print_settings( settings)

          if page_setup != None:
            print.set_default_page_setup(page_setup)

          print.connect( "begin-print", begin_print, data)
          print.connect("draw-page", draw_page, data)

          res = print.run(gtk.PRINT_OPERATION_ACTION_PRINT_DIALOG, parent)

          if res == gtkprint_OPERATION_RESULT_ERROR:
             error_dialog = gtk.MessageDialog(parent,
                                              gtk.DIALOG_DESTROY_WITH_PARENT,
                                              gtk.MESSAGE_ERROR,
          					  gtk.BUTTONS_CLOSE,
          					  "Error printing file:\n")
             error_dialog.connect("response", lambda w,id: w.destroy())
             error_dialog.show()
          elif res == gtk.PRINT_OPERATION_RESULT_APPLY:
             settings = print.get_print_settings()

### gtk.PrintOperation.get_error

        def get_error()

Returns : | the error message or `None`

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `get_error`() method returns the error message or `None`. Call this when the result of a print operation is `gtk.PRINT_OPERATION_RESULT_ERROR`, either as returned by the `gtk.PrintOperation.run()` method, or in the "done" signal handler.

### gtk.PrintOperation.get_status

        def get_status()

Returns : | the status of the print operation

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `get_status`() method returns the status of the print operation as one of the GTK Print Status Constants. Also see the `gtk.PrintOperation.get_status_string()` method.

### gtk.PrintOperation.get_status_string

        def get_status_string()

Returns : | a string representation of the status of the print operation

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `get_status_string`() method returns a string representation of the status of the print operation. The string is translated and suitable for displaying the print status e.g. in a `gtk.Statusbar`.

Use the `gtk.PrintOperation.get_status()` method to obtain a status value that is suitable for programmatic use.

### gtk.PrintOperation.is_finished

        def is_finished()

Returns : | `True`, if the print operation is finished.

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The method returns True if the print operation is completed. This is a convenience method to find out if the print operation is finished, either successfully (`gtk.PRINT_STATUS_FINISHED`) or unsuccessfully (`gtk.PRINT_STATUS_FINISHED_ABORTED`).

### Note

When you enable print status tracking, the print operation can be in a non-finished state even after done has been called, as the operation status then tracks the print job status on the printer.

### gtk.PrintOperation.cancel

        def cancel()

### Note

This method is available in PyGTK 2.10 and above.

The `cancel`() method cancels a running print operation. This method may be called from a "begin-print", "paginate" or "draw-page" signal handler to stop the currently running print operation.

## Signals

### The "begin-print" gtk.PrintOperation Signal

        def callback(operation, context, user_param1, ...)

`operation` : | the `gtk.PrintOperation` on which the signal was emitted
`context` : | the `gtk.PrintContext` for the current operation
`user_param1` : | the first user parameter (if any) specified with the `connect`() method
`...` : | additional user parameters (if any)

### Note

This signal is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

The "begin-print" signal is emitted after the user has finished changing print settings in the dialog, before the actual rendering starts.

A typical use for this signal is to use the parameters from the `gtk.PrintContext` and paginate the document accordingly, and then set the number of pages with `gtk.PrintOperation.set_n_pages()`.

### The "create-custom-widget" gtk.PrintOperation Signal

        def callback(operation, user_param1, ...)

`operation` : | the `gtk.PrintOperation` on which the signal was emitted
`user_param1` : | the first user parameter (if any) specified with the `connect`() method
`...` : | additional user parameters (if any)
Returns : | A custom widget that gets embedded in the print dialog, or `None`

### Note

This signal is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

The "create-custom-widget" signal is emitted when displaying the print dialog. If you return a widget in a handler for this signal it will be added to a custom tab in the print dialog. You typically return a container widget with multiple widgets in it.

The print dialog owns the returned widget, and its lifetime isn't controlled by the app. However, the widget is guaranteed to stay around until the "custom-widget-apply" signal is emitted on the operation. Then you can read out any information you need from the widgets.

### The "custom-widget-apply" gtk.PrintOperation Signal

        def callback(operation, widget, user_param1, ...)

`operation` : | the `gtk.PrintOperation` on which the signal was emitted
`widget` : | the custom widget added in create-custom-widget
`user_param1` : | the first user parameter (if any) specified with the `connect`() method
`...` : | additional user parameters (if any)

### Note

This signal is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

The "custom-widget-apply" signal is emitted right before "begin-print" if you added a custom widget in the "create-custom-widget" handler. When you get this signal you should read the information from the custom widgets, as the widgets are not guaraneed to be around at a later time.

### The "done" gtk.PrintOperation Signal

        def callback(operation, result, user_param1, ...)

`operation` : | the `gtk.PrintOperation` on which the signal was emitted
`result` : | the result of the print operation
`user_param1` : | the first user parameter (if any) specified with the `connect`() method
`...` : | additional user parameters (if any)

### Note

This signal is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

The "done" signal is emitted when the print operation run has finished doing everything required for printing. `result` (one of the GTK Print Operation Result Constants) gives you information about what happened during the run. If `result` is `gtk.PRINT_OPERATION_RESULT_ERROR` then you can call the `gtk.PrintOperation.get_error()` method for more information.

If you enabled print status tracking then the `gtk.PrintOperation.is_finished()` method may still return `False` after this was emitted.

### The "draw-page" gtk.PrintOperation Signal

        def callback(operation, context, page_nr, user_param1, ...)

`operation` : | the `gtk.PrintOperation` on which the signal was emitted
`context` : | the `gtk.PrintContext` for the current operation
`page_nr` : | the number of the currently printed page
`user_param1` : | the first user parameter (if any) specified with the `connect`() method
`...` : | additional user parameters (if any)

### Note

This signal is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

The "draw-page" signal is emitted for every page that is printed. The signal handler must render the `page_nr`'s page onto the cairo context obtained from `context` using `gtk.PrintContext.get_cairo_context()`.

    def draw_page(operation, context, page_nr, user_data):
            cr = context.get_cairo_context()
            width = context.get_width()

            cr.rectangle(0, 0, width, HEADER_HEIGHT)

            cr.set_source_rgb(0.8, 0.8, 0.8);
            cr.fill()

            layout = context.create_pango_layout()

            desc = pango.FontDescription("sans 14")
            layout.set_font_description(desc)

            layout.set_text("some text")
            layout.set_width(width)
            layout.set_alignment(pango.ALIGN_CENTER)

            x,layout_height = layout.get_size()
            text_height = layout_height / pango.SCALE

            cr.move_to(width / 2,  (HEADER_HEIGHT - text_height) / 2)
            cr.show_layout(layout)

Use the `gtk.PrintOperation.set_use_full_page()` and `gtk.PrintOperation.set_unit()` methods before starting the print operation to set up the transformation of the cairo context according to your needs.

### The "end-print" gtk.PrintOperation Signal

        def callback(operation, context, user_param1, ...)

`operation` : | the `gtk.PrintOperation` on which the signal was emitted
`context` : | the `gtk.PrintContext` for the current operation
`user_param1` : | the first user parameter (if any) specified with the `connect`() method
`...` : | additional user parameters (if any)

### Note

This signal is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

The "end-print" signal is emitted after all pages have been rendered. A handler for this signal can clean up any resources that have been allocated in the "begin-print" handler.

### The "paginate" gtk.PrintOperation Signal

        def callback(printoperation, context, user_param1, ...)

`printoperation` : | the object which received the signal.
`context` : | the `gtk.PrintContext` for the current operation
`user_param1` : | the first user parameter (if any) specified with the `connect`() method
`...` : | additional user parameters (if any)
Returns : |

### Note

This signal is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

The "paginate" signal is emitted after the "begin-print" signal, but before the actual rendering starts. It keeps getting emitted until it returns `False`.

This signal is intended to be used for paginating the document in small chunks, to avoid blocking the user interface for a long time. The signal handler should update the number of pages using the `gtk.PrintOperation.set_n_pages`() method, and return `True` if the document has been completely paginated.

If you don't need to do pagination in chunks, you can simply do it all in the "begin-print" handler, and set the number of pages from there.

### The "preview" gtk.PrintOperation Signal

        def callback(operation, preview, context, parent, user_param1, ...)

`operation` : | the `gtk.PrintOperation` on which the signal was emitted
`preview` : | the `GtkPrintPreviewOperation` for the current operation
`context` : | the `gtk.PrintContext` that will be used
`parent` : | the `gtk.Window` to use as window parent, or `None`
`user_param1` : | the first user parameter (if any) specified with the `connect`() method
`...` : | additional user parameters (if any)
Returns : | `True` if the listener wants to take over control of the preview

### Note

This signal is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

The "preview" signal is emitted when a preview is requested from the native dialog. If you handle this you must set the cairo context on the printing context.

If you don't override this, a default implementation using an external viewer will be used.

### The "request-page-setup" gtk.PrintOperation Signal

        def callback(operation, context, page_nr, setup, user_param1, ...)

`operation` : | the `gtk.PrintOperation` on which the signal was emitted
`context` : | the `gtk.PrintContext` for the current operation
`page_nr` : | the number of the currently printed page
`setup` : | the `gtk.PageSetup`
`user_param1` : | the first user parameter (if any) specified with the `connect`() method
`...` : | additional user parameters (if any)

### Note

This signal is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

The "request-page-setup" signal is emitted once for every page that is printed, to give the application a chance to modify the page setup. Any changes done to `setup` will be in force only for printing this page.

### The "status-changed" gtk.PrintOperation Signal

        def callback(operation, printoperation, user_param1, ...)

`operation` : | the `gtk.PrintOperation` on which the signal was emitted
`printoperation` : | the object which received the signal.
`user_param1` : | the first user parameter (if any) specified with the `connect`() method
`...` : | additional user parameters (if any)

### Note

This signal is available in GTK+ 2.10 and above.

The "status-changed" signal is emitted at between the various phases of the print operation. See the GTK Print Status Constants for the phases that are being discriminated. Use the `gtk.PrintOperation.get_status`() method to find out the current status.

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