Update label printer GUI with improved preview layout - 50% larger canvas, proportional barcodes, 25 char limit, 0.5cm left margin
This commit is contained in:
Quality App Developer
307
documentation/IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md
Normal file
307
documentation/IMPLEMENTATION_SUMMARY.md
Normal file
@@ -0,0 +1,307 @@
|
||||
# Label Printer GUI - Implementation Summary
|
||||
|
||||
## ✅ Completed Implementation
|
||||
|
||||
Your Label Printer GUI application has been successfully created with all requested features!
|
||||
|
||||
## 📋 Features Implemented
|
||||
|
||||
### ✓ Two-Column Layout
|
||||
- **Left Column (40%):** Data entry form
|
||||
- **Right Column (60%):** Real-time label preview
|
||||
|
||||
### ✓ Data Entry Fields (Left Column)
|
||||
1. **SAP-Nr. Articol** - Text input for SAP article number
|
||||
2. **Cantitate** - Numeric input for quantity
|
||||
3. **ID rola cablu** - Text input for cable reel identifier
|
||||
4. **Printer Selection** - Dropdown menu with CUPS printers
|
||||
5. **Print Label Button** - Green button to trigger printing
|
||||
|
||||
### ✓ Live Preview (Right Column)
|
||||
- Real-time preview of label as you type
|
||||
- Label size: 11.5 cm × 8 cm (adjustable)
|
||||
- Displays barcode + all three fields combined
|
||||
- High-quality 300 DPI rendering
|
||||
|
||||
### ✓ Advanced Features
|
||||
- **Dynamic Preview:** Updates instantly with each keystroke
|
||||
- **Printer Detection:** Auto-detects all CUPS-installed printers
|
||||
- **Non-blocking Printing:** Background threads prevent UI freezing
|
||||
- **Error Handling:** User-friendly error messages
|
||||
- **Status Notifications:** Popups confirm print success/failure
|
||||
|
||||
## 📁 Project Structure
|
||||
|
||||
```
|
||||
/srv/Label-design/
|
||||
├── print_label.py # Core printing engine (ORIGINAL)
|
||||
├── label_printer_gui.py # Kivy GUI application (NEW)
|
||||
├── setup_and_run.py # Python setup launcher (NEW)
|
||||
├── start_gui.sh # Bash launcher script (NEW)
|
||||
├── requirements_gui.txt # Kivy dependencies (NEW)
|
||||
├── README_GUI.md # Full documentation (NEW)
|
||||
├── GETTING_STARTED.md # Quick start guide (NEW)
|
||||
├── TECHNICAL_DOCS.md # Technical reference (NEW)
|
||||
├── requirements.txt # Original dependencies
|
||||
└── how_to.txt # Original how-to guide
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## 🚀 Quick Start
|
||||
|
||||
### Three Ways to Launch
|
||||
|
||||
**Option 1: Automatic Setup (Recommended)**
|
||||
```bash
|
||||
python3 setup_and_run.py
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Option 2: Bash Script**
|
||||
```bash
|
||||
chmod +x start_gui.sh
|
||||
./start_gui.sh
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**Option 3: Manual**
|
||||
```bash
|
||||
pip install -r requirements_gui.txt
|
||||
python3 label_printer_gui.py
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## 🎯 How It Works
|
||||
|
||||
### User Workflow
|
||||
1. Enter SAP Number in first field
|
||||
2. Enter Quantity (numbers only)
|
||||
3. Enter Cable Reel ID
|
||||
4. **Preview updates automatically** on the right
|
||||
5. Select printer from dropdown
|
||||
6. Click **PRINT LABEL** button
|
||||
7. Receive confirmation message
|
||||
|
||||
### Technical Workflow
|
||||
```
|
||||
User Input
|
||||
↓
|
||||
TextInput event → on_input_change()
|
||||
↓
|
||||
Combine fields: "SAP|QTY|CABLE_ID"
|
||||
↓
|
||||
create_label_image(text) from print_label.py
|
||||
↓
|
||||
Generate barcode + render text
|
||||
↓
|
||||
Display in preview widget
|
||||
↓
|
||||
User clicks Print
|
||||
↓
|
||||
Background thread: print_label_standalone()
|
||||
↓
|
||||
Send to CUPS printer
|
||||
↓
|
||||
Success/Error notification
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## 💻 System Requirements
|
||||
|
||||
- **OS:** Linux/Unix with CUPS
|
||||
- **Python:** 3.7 or higher
|
||||
- **Display:** X11 or Wayland
|
||||
- **Printer:** Any CUPS-configured printer (or PDF virtual printer)
|
||||
|
||||
## 📦 Dependencies
|
||||
|
||||
| Package | Purpose | Version |
|
||||
|---------|---------|---------|
|
||||
| kivy | GUI framework | 2.0+ |
|
||||
| python-barcode | Barcode generation | Latest |
|
||||
| pillow | Image processing | 8.0+ |
|
||||
| pycups | CUPS printer interface | Latest |
|
||||
|
||||
## 🎨 UI Layout
|
||||
|
||||
```
|
||||
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
|
||||
│ Label Printer Interface (1600×900) │
|
||||
├──────────────────┬─────────────────────────────────────────┤
|
||||
│ │ │
|
||||
│ INPUT COLUMN │ PREVIEW COLUMN │
|
||||
│ (40% width) │ (60% width) │
|
||||
│ │ │
|
||||
│ ┌──────────────┐ │ ┌─────────────────────────────────┐ │
|
||||
│ │ SAP-Nr. Artic│ │ │ Label Preview │ │
|
||||
│ │ [text input] │ │ │ 11.5 cm × 8 cm │ │
|
||||
│ ├──────────────┤ │ │ │ │
|
||||
│ │ Cantitate │ │ │ ┌─────────────────────────────┐│ │
|
||||
│ │ [0 input] │ │ │ │ ╔═══════════════════════╗ ││ │
|
||||
│ ├──────────────┤ │ │ │ ║ [BARCODE] ║ ││ │
|
||||
│ │ ID rola │ │ │ │ ║ SAP|QTY|CABLE_ID ║ ││ │
|
||||
│ │ [text input] │ │ │ │ ╚═══════════════════════╝ ││ │
|
||||
│ ├──────────────┤ │ │ └─────────────────────────────┘│ │
|
||||
│ │ Printer: [PDF│ │ │ │ │
|
||||
│ │ ▼] │ │ │ │ │
|
||||
│ ├──────────────┤ │ │ │ │
|
||||
│ │ [PRINT LABEL]│ │ └─────────────────────────────────┘ │
|
||||
│ │ │ │ │
|
||||
│ └──────────────┘ │ │
|
||||
│ │ │
|
||||
└──────────────────┴─────────────────────────────────────────┘
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## 🔧 Customization
|
||||
|
||||
All aspects can be customized:
|
||||
|
||||
### UI Elements
|
||||
- Window size
|
||||
- Colors and fonts
|
||||
- Field labels and types
|
||||
- Button layout
|
||||
|
||||
### Label Format
|
||||
- Label physical size
|
||||
- Barcode type (currently Code128)
|
||||
- Text positioning
|
||||
- DPI/quality
|
||||
|
||||
### Data Fields
|
||||
- Add/remove input fields
|
||||
- Change field validation rules
|
||||
- Modify data combination format
|
||||
|
||||
See `TECHNICAL_DOCS.md` for customization examples.
|
||||
|
||||
## 🐛 Troubleshooting
|
||||
|
||||
### Common Issues & Solutions
|
||||
|
||||
**"No printers found"**
|
||||
```bash
|
||||
sudo systemctl start cups
|
||||
lpstat -p -d
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
**"Kivy window won't open"**
|
||||
- Check X11 display: `echo $DISPLAY`
|
||||
- Or use headless mode
|
||||
|
||||
**"Preview not updating"**
|
||||
- Check Python console for errors
|
||||
- Verify Pillow installed: `python3 -c "from PIL import Image"`
|
||||
|
||||
**"Print fails with permission error"**
|
||||
- Add user to lpadmin group: `sudo usermod -aG lpadmin $USER`
|
||||
|
||||
## 📚 Documentation
|
||||
|
||||
- **GETTING_STARTED.md** - Quick start and workflow guide
|
||||
- **README_GUI.md** - Full feature documentation
|
||||
- **TECHNICAL_DOCS.md** - Architecture and development reference
|
||||
- **print_label.py** - Inline code comments explaining functions
|
||||
|
||||
## 🎓 Learning Path
|
||||
|
||||
1. **Start:** Read `GETTING_STARTED.md`
|
||||
2. **Use:** Run `python3 setup_and_run.py`
|
||||
3. **Explore:** Open files in VS Code
|
||||
4. **Customize:** Follow `TECHNICAL_DOCS.md`
|
||||
5. **Integrate:** Use functions in your own code
|
||||
|
||||
## 🔌 Integration with Other Code
|
||||
|
||||
Use the printing function in your own Python applications:
|
||||
|
||||
```python
|
||||
from print_label import print_label_standalone, create_label_image
|
||||
|
||||
# Just the barcode image (no printing)
|
||||
image = create_label_image("YOUR_TEXT_HERE")
|
||||
image.save("my_label.png")
|
||||
|
||||
# Print directly
|
||||
success = print_label_standalone(
|
||||
value="YOUR_TEXT",
|
||||
printer="PDF",
|
||||
preview=0
|
||||
)
|
||||
|
||||
if success:
|
||||
print("Printed successfully!")
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## 📊 Key Files
|
||||
|
||||
| File | Purpose | Modified |
|
||||
|------|---------|----------|
|
||||
| label_printer_gui.py | Main GUI application | NEW |
|
||||
| print_label.py | Printing engine | Updated (removed main code) |
|
||||
| setup_and_run.py | Setup automation | NEW |
|
||||
| start_gui.sh | Bash launcher | NEW |
|
||||
| requirements_gui.txt | Kivy dependencies | NEW |
|
||||
| README_GUI.md | Feature documentation | NEW |
|
||||
| GETTING_STARTED.md | Quick start | NEW |
|
||||
| TECHNICAL_DOCS.md | Developer reference | NEW |
|
||||
|
||||
## ✨ Special Features
|
||||
|
||||
1. **Real-time Preview**
|
||||
- Instant visual feedback
|
||||
- See exactly what will print
|
||||
|
||||
2. **Intelligent Printer Detection**
|
||||
- Auto-detects CUPS printers
|
||||
- Falls back to PDF if none found
|
||||
|
||||
3. **Non-blocking UI**
|
||||
- Printing in background threads
|
||||
- Never freezes the interface
|
||||
|
||||
4. **Professional Layout**
|
||||
- Two-column responsive design
|
||||
- Scales to any window size
|
||||
|
||||
5. **Data Persistence**
|
||||
- Fields retain values
|
||||
- Quick reprinting with modifications
|
||||
|
||||
## 🚦 Status
|
||||
|
||||
| Component | Status | Notes |
|
||||
|-----------|--------|-------|
|
||||
| GUI Framework | ✅ Complete | Kivy 2.0+ ready |
|
||||
| Data Entry | ✅ Complete | All 3 fields + printer |
|
||||
| Live Preview | ✅ Complete | Real-time updates |
|
||||
| Printing | ✅ Complete | CUPS integration |
|
||||
| Error Handling | ✅ Complete | User-friendly messages |
|
||||
| Documentation | ✅ Complete | 3 documentation files |
|
||||
| Setup Scripts | ✅ Complete | Python + Bash launchers |
|
||||
|
||||
## 🎉 You're Ready!
|
||||
|
||||
Everything is set up and ready to use. Start with:
|
||||
|
||||
```bash
|
||||
python3 setup_and_run.py
|
||||
```
|
||||
|
||||
## 📝 Notes
|
||||
|
||||
- Original `print_label.py` functionality fully preserved
|
||||
- GUI adds modern interface without changing core logic
|
||||
- Can be used independently or integrated with other systems
|
||||
- Fully customizable for your needs
|
||||
|
||||
## 🆘 Support
|
||||
|
||||
1. Check **GETTING_STARTED.md** for quick help
|
||||
2. See **TECHNICAL_DOCS.md** for detailed reference
|
||||
3. Check console output for error details
|
||||
4. Review inline code comments
|
||||
|
||||
---
|
||||
|
||||
**Created:** February 4, 2026
|
||||
**Status:** Production Ready
|
||||
**Version:** 1.0
|
||||
**Fully Implemented:** ✅ All Requirements Met
|
||||
|
||||
**Enjoy your new Label Printer GUI!** 🎊
|
||||
Reference in New Issue
Block a user