Update label printer GUI with improved preview layout - 50% larger canvas, proportional barcodes, 25 char limit, 0.5cm left margin
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Quality App Developer
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documentation/README_GUI.md
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documentation/README_GUI.md
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# Label Printer GUI Application
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A modern Kivy-based graphical interface for printing labels with barcodes, featuring real-time preview and printer selection.
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## Features
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✓ **Two-Column Layout**
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- Left: Data entry form with input fields
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- Right: Real-time label preview
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✓ **Input Fields**
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- SAP-Nr. Articol (SAP Number/Article)
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- Cantitate (Quantity)
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- ID rola cablu (Cable Reel ID)
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✓ **Live Preview**
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- Real-time preview of label as you type
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- Label size: 11.5 cm × 8 cm
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- Shows barcode and all entered information
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✓ **Printer Management**
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- Dropdown to select from available system printers
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- Automatic detection of installed CUPS printers
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✓ **Printing**
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- Direct printing to selected printer
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- Background printing with status notifications
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- Error handling and user feedback
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## Installation
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### Prerequisites
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- Python 3.7 or higher
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- CUPS (Common Unix Printing System) - usually pre-installed on Linux
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- System printer configured and installed
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### Setup Steps
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1. **Install dependencies:**
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```bash
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pip install -r requirements_gui.txt
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```
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2. **Install Kivy garden dependencies** (if using matplotlib preview):
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```bash
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garden install matplotlib
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```
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3. **Ensure system printer is configured:**
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```bash
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# Check available printers
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lpstat -p -d
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# Or using CUPS web interface
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# Open: http://localhost:631
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```
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## Usage
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### Run the GUI Application
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```bash
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python label_printer_gui.py
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```
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### Operation
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1. **Enter Label Data:**
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- Type the SAP Number in the first field
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- Enter the quantity (numbers only)
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- Enter the Cable Reel ID
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2. **Monitor Preview:**
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- The preview updates automatically as you type
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- Shows combined barcode with all entered data
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3. **Select Printer:**
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- Use the dropdown to select your target printer
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- Default is "PDF" if no other printers available
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4. **Print:**
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- Click "PRINT LABEL" button
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- Wait for confirmation message
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- Label will print to selected printer
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## Label Format
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The label contains:
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- **Row 1:** SAP Number | Quantity | Cable ID (combined in barcode)
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- **Barcode:** Code128 format encoding the combined information
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- **Size:** 11.5 cm width × 8 cm height
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- **DPI:** 300 DPI for high-quality printing
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## File Structure
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```
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/srv/Label-design/
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├── print_label.py # Core printing functions
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├── label_printer_gui.py # Kivy GUI application
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├── requirements.txt # Original dependencies
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├── requirements_gui.txt # GUI-specific dependencies
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└── how_to.txt # Original documentation
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```
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## Troubleshooting
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### No printers detected
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- Check CUPS service: `sudo systemctl status cups`
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- List printers: `lpstat -p`
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- Restart CUPS if needed: `sudo systemctl restart cups`
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### Preview not updating
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- Ensure all input fields are properly connected
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- Check console for error messages
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- Verify PIL/Pillow installation: `python -c "from PIL import Image; print('OK')"`
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### Print fails
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- Verify printer name is correct
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- Check printer status: `lpstat -p -d`
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- Test direct print: `echo "test" | lp -d printername`
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- Ensure CUPS daemon is running
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### Kivy window sizing issues
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- The app defaults to 1600×900 window
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- Can be resized freely after launch
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- Modify `Window.size = (1600, 900)` in code to change default
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## Code Integration
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To integrate the printing function into other applications:
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```python
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from print_label import print_label_standalone
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# Print a label
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success = print_label_standalone(
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value="YOUR_TEXT",
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printer="printername",
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preview=0 # 0=no preview, 1-3=3s preview, >3=5s preview
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)
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```
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## Requirements
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- **kivy**: GUI framework
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- **python-barcode**: Barcode generation
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- **pillow**: Image processing
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- **pycups**: CUPS printer interface
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- **matplotlib**: (Optional) For advanced visualization
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## License
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Based on the existing print_label.py printing framework.
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## Notes
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- All data is combined into a single barcode for easy scanning
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- Labels are printed at 300 DPI for sharp quality
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- Temporary files are cleaned up automatically
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- Printing happens in background threads to prevent UI blocking
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## Support
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For issues or questions, check:
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1. Console output for error messages
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2. CUPS printer configuration
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3. System printer availability
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4. Required dependencies installation
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