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Author:

GezaFabry

Creation Date:

2006-02-22

ArchiCAD versions:

• ArchiCAD 9
• ArchiCAD 8.1
• ArchiCAD 7.0

Platform:

• Mac OS X
• Windows

Audience:

• average users
• CAD managers

Reference:

• [tracking number]

Readme for Plotter Users.html

Introduction

This document contains additional information about plotting not included in the ArchiCAD User Guide. In addition, it answers some frequently asked questions.

The information presented here is based on our own experience and is far from complete. Information about other plotter models will be added as it becomes available.

The document is divided into the following sections:

Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Choosing a Driver
  3. Recommended Drivers and Cables
  4. Notes
  5. List of plotter models and drivers
    1. CalComp
    2. Encad
    3. Graphtec
    4. Hewlett-Packard
    5. Mimaki
    6. Mutoh
    7. Océ
    8. Seiko
    9. Selex
    10. Xerox

Choosing a Driver

At the end of this document, you will find a list of plotter models and a recommended driver for each of them. The ArchiCAD User Guide contains some guidelines about choosing a driver for your plotter if it is not included in the list. The following information may also be useful if your plotter has HP-GL/2 emulation.

The HP-GL language is the most widely used plotter language, originally developed for pen plotters. HP-GL/2 is a new generation of HP-GL with several enhancements, including compacted vector formats and additional commands for raster plotters. HP-GL/2 has become an industry standard; most plotter manufacturers implement this language in their plotter models. However, some features of HP-GL2 are not implemented for certain models. HP-RTL (HP Raster Transfer Language) is an extension of HP-GL/2, which makes it possible to plot bitmaps on raster devices. This Dual Context Extension is not implemented in some models either. If your plotter is HP-GL/2 compatible, and you want to drive it in HP-GL/2, you may choose one of the following two drivers:

These drivers use different levels of the HP-GL/2 language. If your plotter has problems with the complex driver, you will have to use a simpler one.

The HP DesignJet 650C driver uses most of the available HP-GL/2 and HP-RTL commands. Use this driver if your plotter supports the dual context extension and can switch randomly between HP RTL and HP-GL/2.

The Encad NovaJET II driver is similar to the HP DesignJet driver but without the HP-RTL implementation. If you use this driver, pictures will not be plotted.

IMPORTANT: If you use a driver made for a different plotter than your own, the margins may be different on the plotter and in the driver. To avoid clipping your layout, use a somewhat smaller layout size and place the layout in the middle of the page.

Recommended Drivers and Cables

The following is a list of recommended drivers, cables and settings for some plotters. Only those settings are included which are essential to work correctly with ArchiCAD and PlotMaker. Other settings depend on your own specific needs.

If your model is not in the list below, try another driver of the same manufacturer or see the plotter type which is emulated by your plotter. Refer to the section on Plotter Setup in the ArchiCAD User Guide. You may get some ideas from the note.gif Notes for solving some problems.

The structure of the following table is:

Model Name

* note.gif Notes on Cable selection and Cable Diagrams refer to Macintosh only.

cable.gif Cables:
note.gif Notes on Cable selection and Cable Diagrams refer to Macintosh only.

rpu1.gif

rpu2.gif

rpu3.gif

rpu4.gif

Notes

  1. The RS-232C handshake should be set to XOn/XOff in PlotMaker and ArchiCAD.

  2. Fully compatible with HP DesignJet 650C.

  3. Settings:

    • Pen Setup: Use Software
      Protocol: HPGL/2 & HP-RTL or AutoSense
      # of bits-parity: 8-none
      Handshake: XOn/XOff

  4. Settings:

    • Pen Setup: Use Software
      Protocol: HPGL/2
      # of bits-parity: 8-none
      Handshake: XOn/XOff

  5. No HP RTL Support (no picture plotting)
  6. Override Host: No

  7. This plotter has limitations in bitmap plotting. It can plot only one bitmap on a layout, and the Display Option 'Show Pictures' should be set to 'In the foreground'. In spite of this setting the bitmap will be transparent, as if it were in the background. However the size of the bitmap is not limited by the memory of the plotter.
    Settings:

    • Pen Control: Software
      Intersect Control: Single
      Emulation: HPGL/2
      RS-232 Parity: OFF, 8 bits

  8. Settings:

    • Serial Interface Parity: None;
      Graphics Language: HP-GL/2;
      Merge: Off;
      Pen Settings: from software;

  9. Be sure to select the right RS-232C config set (Config A or B).
    Settings:

    • Graphics Language: HP-GL/2;
      Pen Settings, Palette: Software;
      Merge Control: Off;
      RS-232C Setup: Parity: None;

  10. PCI parameters are set automatically with CDCL header.
  11. HP-GL/2 protocol is set automatically with CDCL header.
  12. Use firmware version 1.4 or newer for bitmap plotting (available on www.encad.com).
  13. Use firmware version 1.5 or newer for bitmap plotting (available on www.encad.com).

  14. Use firmware version 1.6 or newer if y size of the paper is greater than x size of the paper (available on ftp or BBS of CalComp).

  15. Settings:

    • Select format: Auto
      HP-GL/2 Setup: Origin: Lower Left
      HP-GL/2 Setup: Pen priority: Language
      RS232 port: DTE

  16. Settings:

    • Emulation: HP 7595A
      Origin: Center

  17. Emulation: HP-GL/2
  18. Settings:

    • Emulation: HP-GL & HP-GL/2
      Origin: Lower Left
      Layout separator: 'PG;'

  19. Emulation: HP 7595A
  20. Pen control: Software
  21. Pen table: Command
  22. Write mode: Overwrite
  23. Settings:

    • Emulation: HP-GL/2 & RTL
      Pen Setup: Software
      Line Intersect: Overlay

  24. Command: MH-GL, GL2
  25. Set Page Format/Margins to Normal (default)
  26. The usable plot area is shorter by 10 mm on trailing edge for sheet paper
  27. Supported only with the optional HP-GL/2 card
  28. The margin on the trailing edge is 35mm for sheet paper reducing the usable plot area

List of plotter models and drivers

CalComp

Encad

Graphtec

Hewlett-Packard

Mimaki

Mutoh

Océ

Seiko

Selex

Xerox

CategoryPrintingPlotting

TechNotes/Plotting with ArchiCAD and PlotMaker (last edited 2008-08-27 15:13:04 by localhost)