Hey guys n gals, this might be a naive question but if I create my lightscribe labels in Photoshop using a template, is there any way I can etch them directly from there, or install some tiny piece of software/driver that accepts a .jpg background image with a "print lightscribe" facility in it?

As far as I can tell, in order to print a lightscribe label I have to either buy a fully-functional disc labelling program with all the editing capabilities and guide-me-by-the-hand wizards; or some disc burning software that happens to come bundled with 100s of megs of fairly useless plugins and grinds the system to a halt (Nero, anyone?!)

I'm perfectly happy with InfraRecorder or Burrrrn (or even CDBurnerXP) for authoring and don't relish the idea of Nero or Roxio bloatware going near my system ever again. And most of the labelling software interfaces give me a headache: all those garish icon colours and giant buttons

If the lightscribe system software exposes its API to the OS, is there a simple(ish) way of writing some driver or app that just adds a "printer" to the system? Like the way, say, JAWS PDF Creator adds a faux "Printer" to the Printers & Faxes control panel so one can print a PDF out of M$ Word or Photoshop or even Paint if you felt like it, just by selecting the Print... button in the app and choosing the faux device?

Questions:

a) Is that possible or technically infeasible? (a.k.a. is it just marketing force/licencing that prevents something like this being made?)

b) Is there anything like that (or anything that just simply prints a centred jpg background to a lightscribe device) out there already?

c) If not, does anyone know anyone who could write one, or point me at some API spec so I might see if it's possible to write one myself? Google's turning up zip for me at the moment (though I'm probably searching for the wrong terms)

Many thanks in advance for any insight. Or derision at my stupidity for asking!

Hi and Welcome!Have you had a look at Lightscribe Simple Labeler from www.lightscribe.com?

There shouldn't be problem to create a "printer" driver, normally.

Already mentioned, try the Simple Labeler. At least it is free. You may also have a deep look at lightscribe.com since there might be some useful information.

Michael

Hi mciahel, thanks for the reply.

Yes, I discounted it because it looked _too_ simple! As far as I could tell it only allowed me to pick from 8 preset backgrounds and only printed in Title Mode. [ Sorry, forgot to mention I was after something that allowed me to print in Full Mode ]. It's very odd software because the Gallery images on lightscribe.com are often full jpg pictures, yet cannot be used in the simple labeller they supply!

I think I read somewhere (probably in this forum) that it's possible to hack it to add your own artwork by making a PNG image and creating an xml file to trick the program, but I'm unsure if that would allow me to get round the Title Mode restriction. Plus it's a bit of a hassle, I'm sure you'll agree.

Good, if the technology's not licenced then I just need to find the spec and convince someone (or me!) to write some code to use the API. Anyone any ideas where I might find the tech spec? As I said, Google wasn't helping me much (which is a first!)

I wondered if the lack of such a program/driver already, might be because Lightscribe charge a premium for a development licence. But if it's free, I'll check the Linux forums because they're a cool bunch and someone's bound to have had a similar idea over there.

Thanks again for replying.

Hi, Since I don't own any Lightscribe drive, I can't judge about that.
I own a printer that supports direct printing on discs instead (but I haven't yet used that feature )
It IS licensed, if I remember correctly.
I suspect, this is the case. And if they wanted, they could also prode a driver instead of those proprietary software.
Checking the Linux corner isn't a bad idea at all

You're Welcome

Michael

Here's an interesting thread on the subject : http://club.cdfreaks.com/showthread.php?t=217945

a good question and one that I am looking for also. Yep, nero has the lightscribe print symbol on their disc software that came with the recorder but I had to delete nero deluxe 7 before I could load it. Now all the features I used with nero have a 30 day trial period. I use photoshop for everything and do not like using nero's label maker. I can't even figure it out. I can't imagine why photoshop does not have a plug in to print lightscrbe. If you figure it out or find something, please let me know and I will do the same for you. thanks

Has anyone had success with the Sure Thing labeler the poster mentioned (version 4.3.0192)? When I click on "new design" in the "action" panel, I should choose "Lightscribe disc" under "product type". But "lightscribe disc" is not available to choose.

If I choose "CD/DVD labels", I do not find any way to choose the lightscribe function instead of a printed label.

Has the LightScribe been stripped out of this software? Part of the problem (I think) is that the help docs maybe don't agree perfectly with the program and its dialogs.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Forget my last post.

I went to lightscribe.com to get something I would call a "software layer" for Windows.

Now, Sure Thing 4 SE gives me the option of producing designs that the LightScribe laser can put onto my discs.