Multiple output device association

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to output devices and configuring files for output, and in particular, to a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for configuring and associating one or more files in the same application with multiple output devices or with multiple output device configurations.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:

#FIG. 1 is an exemplary hardware environment used to implement one or more embodiments of the invention;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram that illustrates the components of the computer-implemented graphics program in accordance with one or more embodiments of the invention;

#In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and which is shown, by way of illustration, several embodiments of the present invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

#Overview

#One or more embodiments of the invention provide for selecting and associating multiple output devices with one or more files, layouts, or views. A user selects a file, layout, or view. A dialog is displayed to the user enabling the user to select the output device such as a plotter or printer, and to configure the output device and page setup options to the user's specifications. Alternatively, the user selects/creates an output device configuration (referred to as a virtual configuration) regardless of whether an actual output device with the configuration exists or has been installed. The selected device(s) and settings are then associated with the file, layout, or view by storing some settings with the file, layout, or view and storing other settings with the output device reference (e.g., with the plotter driver or PC3 file (discussed below)).