Plotter

Instructions for using the HP Color Plotter
(General Info | AutoCAD Plotting | Poster Printing)

General Plotter Info

  • Plotter Location: Dana 217
  • The plotter should only be used for engineering related academic purposes.
  • The plotter print queue is available on most lab and classroom computers in Dana and will likely appear as dana217-pl11 or \\eng-print\dana217-pl1
  • The plotter has a multiroll feeder that can hold multiple rolls of paper. The engineering plotter has 36" wide paper on both rolls 1 & 2.
  • If the plotter runs out of paper or ink, please see a staff member (listed next). If an ink cartridge or paper runs out after hours when no staff member is available, it will be reloaded first thing in the morning. Inform your instructor of the problem if an assignment will be late. Hand in all supporting material and generate the plot as soon as possible after ink or paper has been reloaded.
  • Who to contact for help?
    • Jeremy Dreese - Dana 219
    • Wade Hutchison - Computer Center 205
    • Todd Downs - Computer Center 205
    • Mike Harvey - Dana 215

Using the Plotter from AutoCAD

  1. To plot from the model view, simply select Plot from the File menu, or type plot at the command prompt. This will bring up the plotting dialog window.
  2. First, select \\eng-print\dana217-pl1 as the plot device from the Name drop-down menu bar in the Plotter Configuration box.
  3. Next you need to set some printer properties:
    1. Click the Properties button next to the \\eng-print\dana217-pl1 printer selection box.
    2. In the dialog box that appears, select Custom Properties... 
    3. In the next dialog box that appears, select the appropriate roll under Paper source.  (rolls 1, 2 & 3 all have 36" wide paper).
    4. Click the Advanced tab at the top of the dialog box
    5. On the Advanced tab, check the box next to Autorotate 
    6. Click to OK button at the bottom of the dialog box
    7. Click OK on the Plotter Configuration Editor dialog box
    8. Be sure the option Save changes to the following file is selected and click the OK button
    9. NOTE: You should now be able to do future plots in this session without having to go through the steps 3A - 3H to set the printer properties (assuming you want the same printer settings).
  4. Now you should be back in the Plot dialog box.  Make sure that Current Tab is selected in the What to plot box.
  5. Click on the Plot Settings tab. Here you’ll set your paper size, and the limits of what is plotted.
  6. Choose a paper size from the drop-down menu bar. Choose either ANSI D (22" wide) or ANSI E (34" wide). NOTE: It's not recommened that you set any Oversize options without modifying the printer properties to accomodate this increased size.  See a member of the Engineering Computing Support Team (listed above) if you need to do this.
  7. In the Plot area box, you can choose what part of your drawing is plotted. Display will use the current viewed window as the source for the plot. Extents will scale the drawing so that all elements are shown on the paper, whether they can be seen in the current window or not. Limits is used if you have set up plotting and scaling limits.
  8. In the Plot scale box, be sure the Scale is set to Scaled to Fit.
  9. Select Full Preview so you see how the drawing will turn out on the paper. Check this before actually plotting.

 

Poster Setup & Printing (using PowerPoint)  

  1. Create a new PowerPoint document.
  2. In Office 2003
    • Go to File - Page Setup and set the page width to a maximum of 60" and height to 36" (NOTE: you can set these to smaller sizes, but this is the recommended maximum size).
  3. In Office 2007
    • Go to the Design tab, select Page Setup and set the page width to a maximum of 60" and height to 36" (NOTE: you can set these to smaller sizes, but this is the recommended maximum size).
  4. Create your poster however you desire on the first PowerPoint slide.
  5. When you're ready to print your slide/poster:
    1. Select File - Print in Office 2003 (or Office Menu - Print- Print in Office 2007)
    2. Select \\eng-print\dana217-pl1 from the Name pull-down menu.
    3. Select the Properties button.
    4. Go to the Paper/Quality tab.
    5. Click the Custom... button.
    6. Specify your poster's width & height in the two numeric fields, and click the OK button.
    7. Check the Autorotate option.
    8. In the Roll Size field, select 36 inch roll.
    9. Click the OK button to close the printer properties dialog box.
    10. Click the Preview button to make sure your poster looks appropriate and then go ahead and print it once you're satisified with the preview.