Conversion Mode

📄 Conversion Mode

Detailed guide for converting individual ZPL files to PDF documents.

🎯 Overview

Conversion Mode is designed for:

• ✅ Single file processing
• ✅ Batch processing (multiple files)
• ✅ String-to-PDF conversion
• ✅ Custom dimension specification
• ✅ Quality control per file

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📁 File Input Methods

Method 1: File Input (-i)

# Basic file conversion
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output_folder

# With custom output name
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output_folder -n my_label.pdf

# Multiple files (batch)
ZPL2PDF.exe -i *.txt -o output_folder

Method 2: String Input (-z)

# Direct ZPL string
ZPL2PDF.exe -z "^XA^FO50,50^A0N,50,50^FDHello^FS^XZ" -o output_folder

# With custom name
ZPL2PDF.exe -z "^XA^FO50,50^A0N,50,50^FDHello^FS^XZ" -o output_folder -n hello.pdf

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📏 Dimension Configuration

Automatic Dimension Extraction

ZPL2PDF automatically extracts dimensions from ZPL commands:

^XA
^PW400    ← Width: 400 points
^LL600    ← Length: 600 points
^FO50,50^A0N,50,50^FDHello^FS
^XZ

Conversion: mm = (points / 203) * 25.4

• Width: (400 / 203) * 25.4 = 50.0 mm
• Length: (600 / 203) * 25.4 = 75.0 mm

Manual Dimension Specification

When ZPL doesn't contain dimensions:

# Default dimensions (60mm x 120mm)
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output

# Custom dimensions in millimeters
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output -w 100 -h 200 -u mm

# Custom dimensions in inches
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output -w 4 -h 6 -u in

# Custom dimensions in centimeters
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output -w 10 -h 15 -u cm

Dimension Priority

1. Manual parameters (-w, -h, -u) - Highest priority
2. ZPL commands (^PW, ^LL) - Medium priority
3. Default values (60mm x 120mm) - Fallback

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🎨 Quality Settings

DPI Configuration

# Standard DPI (203)
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output -d 203

# High resolution (300 DPI)
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output -d 300

# Low resolution (150 DPI)
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output -d 150

Note: DPI only affects output quality, not actual dimensions.

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📊 Supported File Types

Input Files

• ✅ .txt - Text files containing ZPL
• ✅ .prn - Print files (ZPL format)
• ✅ String input - Direct ZPL content

Output Files

• ✅ .pdf - PDF documents (always)

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🔧 Advanced Examples

Example 1: Batch Processing

# Convert all .txt files in current directory
for file in *.txt; do
    ZPL2PDF.exe -i "$file" -o ./output -n "${file%.txt}.pdf"
done

Example 2: Quality Control

# High-quality conversion
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output -w 10 -h 15 -u cm -d 300 -n high_quality.pdf

# Standard quality (faster)
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output -w 10 -h 15 -u cm -d 203 -n standard.pdf

Example 3: String Processing

# Create PDF from ZPL string
ZPL2PDF.exe -z "^XA^FO50,50^A0N,50,50^FDTest Label^FS^XZ" \
  -o ./output -w 7.5 -h 15 -u in -n test_label.pdf

Example 4: Multi-Language Processing

# Process with Portuguese interface
ZPL2PDF.exe --language pt-BR -i label.txt -o output -n label.pdf

# Process with Spanish interface  
ZPL2PDF.exe --language es-ES -i label.txt -o output -n label.pdf

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⚡ Performance Tips

File Size Optimization

• Small files (< 1KB): Use -d 203 for faster processing
• Large files (> 10KB): Use -d 300 for better quality
• Batch processing: Process files sequentially to avoid memory issues

Memory Management

• Single file: Process one at a time
• Large batches: Use scripts for sequential processing
• String input: Limited by available RAM

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❌ Common Issues

Issue: "File not found"

# Wrong path
ZPL2PDF.exe -i ./label.txt -o output  # File doesn't exist

# Solution: Check file path
ls -la ./label.txt  # Linux/macOS
dir .\label.txt     # Windows

Issue: "Invalid dimensions"

# Zero or negative dimensions
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output -w 0 -h 15

# Solution: Use positive values
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o output -w 10 -h 15

Issue: "Output folder not writable"

# Permission denied
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o /root/output

# Solution: Use accessible folder
ZPL2PDF.exe -i label.txt -o ./output

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🔗 Related Topics

• Daemon Mode - Automatic folder monitoring
• Configuration - Global settings
• Troubleshooting - Advanced problem solving
• Performance Optimization - Speed improvements