What's new for IBM i 7.2

Read about new or significantly changed information for the Basic printing topic collection.

Converting spooled files to PDF

The Copy Spooled File (CPYSPLF) command has been enhanced to convert spooled files (printer output) to Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) format and store the PDF in the Integrated File System (IFS). In addition, IBM® Navigator for i has been changed to provide a more direct interface to convert spooled files to PDF.

See Converting a spooled file to PDF for details.

Host print transform support for color images

The AFP-to-ASCII transform now supports color images when printing to a color PCL printer. Images of type JPG, TIF, and GIF are supported. See Printer Data Stream (PRTDTASTRM) tag.

Changes to the TrueType and OpenType fonts

  • The font names of the TrueType and OpenType fonts provided in option 43 of the IBM i have changed. Support for the use of the old names is provided.
  • More directories that contain these fonts can be specified by using environment variable QIBM_FONT_RESOURCES_PATH specified at either the job level or system level.
For more information, see TrueType and OpenType fonts.

Controlling the method of sending spooled files from list panels

By using an environment variable, you can now control whether spooled files are sent using the SNDNETSPLF or SNDTCPSPLF command from the WRKSPLF, WRKOUTQ, and WRKJOB OPTION(*SPLF) panels. See Controlling the method of sending spooled files from list panels.

Virtual Printers

Using IBM Navigator for i, support has been added for virtual printers. Virtual printers can be used to automatically transform and print spooled files from an output queue to a client printer. See Configuring virtual printers for information about configuring a virtual printer.

How to see what's new or changed

To help you see where technical changes have been made, the information center uses:
  • The Start of change image to mark where new or changed information begins.
  • The End of change image to mark where new or changed information ends.

In PDF files, you might see revision bars (|) in the left margin of new and changed information.

To find other information about what's new or changed this release, see the Memo to users.