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Plotter Handout

A guide to using the plotter at the Open Access Labs.

Introduction
This is a guide for printing a document using the plotter. It includes instructions for using the plotter with different software applications.

IMPORTANT: Plotting a document incorrectly may be costly. If you have any questions about plotter settings, please ask the operator for assistance.

You can choose from three different queues: AutoCAD, Plain, or Glossy.

  • $ 2.50 per sq. ft. for AutoCAD
  • $ 3.25 per sq. ft. for Plain
  • $ 3.50 per sq. ft. for Glossy

For the AutoCAD queue, only *.DWG files (the extension for AutoCAD files) should be printed.

NOTE:  This handout is divided into sections for each type of software. AutoCAD users only need to use the "Plotting in AutoCAD" section. All other users should view the respective section and then continue to "Customizing Plotter Settings."

Plotting in AutoCAD

  1. Open the file that you want to plot. Click File > Plot. The Plot dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 1.

    2. fig 1

    Figure 1. Plot dialog box in AutoCAD

  2. Change the printer selected to the plotter by clicking the Name pull-down menu in the Printer/plotter field. Select \\SCC\SCC1-Plotter-AutoCAD.
  3. After the correct plotter is selected, select the desired paper size. Using the Paper Size pull-down menu, select the size needed for the document.
  4. If the desired size is not available, click the Properties button, which is located next to the selected plotter's Name. In the new dialog box that appears, click the Custom Properties button.
  5. In the top left of this dialog box, locate the Size pull-down menu in the Paper field. Click the pull-down menu, scroll to the bottom, and select Edit Paper List. Specify the paper size needed. Note that charges for using the plotter are based on the total square feet of the paper size chosen.
  6. After specifying the custom paper size, click OK to close the Paper Sizes dialog box. Click OK to close the Custom Properties dialog box. Click OK again to close the Plotter Configuration dialog box.
  7. After closing the Plotter Configuration dialog box, a message appears that asks you to save the configuration changes made using one of the following options:
    1. Create a temporary PC3 file to apply to this plot only.
    2. Save changes to the following file.
  8. Select the first choice: Create a temporary PC3 file to apply to this plot only. Click OK.
  9. After setting up the paper size, you should be back at the dialog box shown in Figure 1. Make sure that both the Name under Printer/plotter and the Paper size have changed accordingly.
  10. Choose the desired Plot scale for the drawing.
  11. View the print Preview option to make sure the document looks the way you want.
  12. Click OK when ready to print to the plotter. A message appears informing you that the print operator must approve and release the document. To release the document, go to the Resource Desk and notify the operator.

NOTE:  At this point, you have completed printing your plot. You do not need to continue further in the handout. You may wish to read the "Frequently Asked Questions" or "For More Help" sections at the end of the handout.

Plotting in Other Applications

The following sections provide information for plotting in Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Applications (Word, Excel, etc.), and Adobe PageMaker.

Plotting in Adobe Photoshop

  1. After preparing your document, make sure the mode is set to CMYK Color by clicking Image > Mode. Verify that CMYK is selected.
  2. To set up the image to plot, click File > Print. The Print dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 2. Select the Printer from the pull-down menu on top. Choose \\SCC\SCC1-Plotter-Plain or \\SCC\SCC1-Plotter-Glossy.


fig 2
Figure 2. Page Setup dialog box

  1. Proceed to the "Customizing Plotter Settings" section below to learn about setting the paper size, color, and quality settings for the plotter.

Plotting in Microsoft Applications (Word, PowerPoint, etc.)

  1. Plotting from Microsoft Word or PowerPoint is similar to normal printing. Once the document is ready to be plotted, click on the Office button and select the Print command (Figure 3a).


fig 3a

Figure 3a. Select Print Option




  1.  Change the printer destination to \\SCC\SCC1-Plotter-Glossy (or \\SCC\SCC1-Plotter-Plain) as shown in Figure 3b.

    2. fig 3b

    Figure 3b. Print dialog box

  2. Proceed to the "Customizing Plotter Settings" section below to learn about setting the paper size, color, and quality settings for the plotter.

Plotting in Adobe PageMaker

  1. Plotting from Adobe PageMaker is only slightly different than plotting from Word or PowerPoint. Once the document is ready to be plotted, choose File > Print at the top left of the screen.  Change the printer destination to \\SCC\SCC-1-Plotter-Plain (or \\SCC\SCC1-Plotter-Glossy) as shown in Figure 4.

    2. fig 4

    Figure 4. Print Document dialog box

  2. Proceed to the "Customizing Plotter Settings" section below to learn about setting the paper size, color, and quality settings for the plotter.

Customizing Plotter Settings

This section describes how to set the plotter settings for size, color, and quality.

  1. After the correct plotter is chosen, either \\SCC\SCC1-Plotter-Plain or \\SCC\SCC1-Plotter-Glossy, select the Properties button (PageSetup button for Adobe Photoshop) from the Print dialog box of the respective program, as shown in Figure 3 (or Figure 2 for Adobe Photoshop).
  2. The Plotter Properties dialog box appears as shown in Figure 5. Click the Color tab and choose whether the file is to be printed in color or grayscale.
  3. Click the Paper/Quality tab (Figure 5) and choose the desired properties for the Paper Size and Orientation. Make sure that Roll is always selected in the Source is: section. Quality and Orientation settings are up to the user.
  4. To choose a paper size that is not listed among the preset options, select the Custom command. Set the height and width of the document accordingly, and then click OK.

Important:  Be sure that the width of the document does not exceed 41.5 inches. Please note that the paper size chosen determines the cost of the plot.

  1. Click OK to return to the Paper/Quality tab. Click OK again to return to the Page Setup or Print dialog box, depending on which application is being used.
  2. Continue to the "Finalizing the Plot" section of this handout.

fig 5

Figure 5. Plotter Properties dialog box

Finalizing the Plot
If the settings were determined using the Page Setup in the application, click OK. To preview the plot, select Print Preview from the Print options menu (Figure 3). If you are using PowerPoint, make sure that the view is set at 100% to ensure that nothing gets cut off. When ready to send the document to the plotter, select Print or OK, depending on the application used. A message appears informing you that the print operator must approve and release the document. Go to the Resource Desk and ask an operator to release the document on the printer queue chosen (either Plotter-Plain or Plotter-Glossy).

Plotting from PowerPoint on a Mac
Plotting on a Mac is similar to plotting on the PC. The biggest difference between the two is the lack of certain options such as “Auto rotate” on the Macs. Because of this, extra care must be taken to set up a plot on the Macs.

  1. Go to File > Page Setup. Take note of the Width and Height of the document and confirm the correct orientation. While in the Page Setup dialog box, click Options. 
  2. In the Options dialog box, select the appropriate plotter queue.  Go to the Format For pull-down menu and select the appropriate printer (either \\SCC\SCC1-Plotter-Plain or \\SCC\SCC1-Plotter-Glossy). Again, set the correct orientation for the plot. Select Custom in the Paper pull-down menu.
  3. Set the Width and Height to match the setting in the Page Setup. Leave all the other settings alone. Click OK to return to the Page Setup dialog box, and click OK again to return to the document.
  4. Go to File > Print and make sure the desired plot queue is selected. Uncheck Black & White to print your plot in color. Press Print to send the plot to the print room and go to the Resource Desk to sign for the release of your document.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make sure my plot will print correctly? Using the Print Preview option is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your plot will print properly. Also, you can send a test print out to the normal printers. Never plot your file until you are completely satisfied with the way it looks.

What type of paper should I specify to plot my file?  There are two types of paper used by the plotter: glossy or plain. The paper you choose is a personal preference.

How do I get my file to plot after I send it?  After you send your file, it will be paused in the plot queue of the plotter you chose. You will need to speak with a print operator at the Resource Desk and ask to have your file released. Be sure to specify the paper you want to use.

For More Help

If you need more assistance, please feel free to ask the CIS Support Staff in any Open Access Lab, or call Help Desk Central at (979) 845-8300.
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