Custom report to pdf on Chemstation?

[toxigal]

I am using enhanced data analysis on Chemstation G1701EA E.02.00.493

two questions:

1) If i use DOLIST to process a set of data and create custom reports can i set the custom report to save to file (as pdf is preferable) instead of print?

2) if so, can i specify a location and naming convention for the file?

It is easy to do on the new software but i can't find anything on how to do it on this ancient software.

Thanks!
-S

[chemstation]

Hi S,
For G1701 E.02.02, To create PDFs, I use the free software PDF Creator, that I set as the default printer.

PDF Creator allows you to AutoSave the PDF with a timedate stamp and the title of the document.

Typically, the Title given by Chemstation is typically ‘MSDA’, so the output will be YYMMDDHHMMSS_MSDA.pdf, Unless you can get permission from your supervisor to edit the macro that prints out your report to get the JobName$ and STARTJOB to accept the variable _datafile$. JobName$ = _datafile$ and STARTJOB _datafile$ ( I think, I don't remember specifically, as it was a long time ago I did something similar)
So if the data file name was eg. Test_Mix.D, then the output will then be YYMMDDHHMMSS_Test_Mix.D.pdf.

Before installing PDF Creator, You need to have installed GhostWriter v9.07, as GhostWriter is the engine that creates the PDF, and PDF Creator is a very nice GUI that controls GhostWriter.

Kind regards
Alex

[toxigal]

I've used PDF creator before but the current setup uses "DoPDF" which does not have an auto-save option. I'm going to recommend they switch to PDF Creator.

Thanks. Do you know which pre-loaded macro i would edit to make this change? I am the decision maker and i'm moderately computer savy so i think I can figure it out if i have a starting point.

[chemstation]

I don't know which reports you have chosen.

If you use the LOGGING function, Chemstation will create a
.log file, which you can interrogate to give you clues.

In your first post, if by "new software" you mean MassHunter.
and you prefer that software, then you should see if your MSD
firmware can be flashed to run under MassHunter.

Kind Regards
Alex

[toxigal]

I haven't use Mass Hunter that much but from what i've seen i'm not a fan. Honestly, I've been off the bench for almost 10 years and haven't done GCMS in nearly 15 so this has been a huge re-learning curve for me!

The lab just got new headspace instruments which run OpenLab which i really like. But changing the GCMS to that is not an option so i have to work with what i've got.

I have used the log function. It is shocking to me that performing one command can create a log that is so long! i don't think i've actually logged the printing of a custom report yet, so i'll give that a shot.

[chemstation]

I usually clear and start the LOGGING function just before I need it, and stop it as soon as I can, to reduce the file size.

I haven't used OpenLab CDS, have you tried opening the Chemstation acquired raw data files in OpenLab, and doing the Data Analysis
that way ? (So that any new Lab staff only need to be taught one DA system, once you've setup the systems)

kind regards
Alex