Plot files

Does anyone here plot AutoSketch drawings to file? Years ago it was
necessary to send drawings to AutoCAD and save to HPGL in order to plot
them. I have located a plot service and they require a plot file. Is it
necessary to export them to ACAD in order to create a plot file?

Lauraline (cadterns.com)

 

1.) You need to ask the plot service people what printer/plotter they use.

2.) Download the current drivers from the manufacturer and install on your
computer. This will create a (virtual, as such) printer in your system.

3.) When printing your AS file, select the print shops printer.....depending
on what it is and how you have set the drivers up, it should create a .plt
file automatically. Otherwise, AS has the ability to save as a .plt file
providing you have the correct printer selected.

When done, best bet is to send a couple of test prints along to the bureau
for checking/accuracy before they start hitting you for the real $$$.

Large format printers have dropped in price dramatically over the past 2
years. It may be worthwhile investigating buying 1....you could end up
spending more at the print shop. My recently purchased DesignJet was as
cheap as chips.....and I print straight to it.....no .plt files required.

Ric Norris.
http://users.bigpond.net.au/cavedrawings

 

Also see if they can plot from a PDF file. If so download PDF995.COM.

Paul

 

Hi, Im using Adobe *.pdf creator. It works well for me anytime!

 

I recently had to make the switch to Windows XP from Windows 98. In
win98 I was able to use Winline drivers to create these plt files. The
primary reason why I used those drivers was because I was able to map a
certain color to a certain black line thickness or intensity (grey).
Unfortunately these same drivers are no longer compatible with the
current versions of Windows. I am aware of a new version out, but it is
rather costly at $200. Is there any other software anyone is aware of
that would do something similar either for less or free?

I've tried the drivers for the plotter that my plot company uses, but it
does not have the capability (HP 755CM).


Thanks

 

"Mapping" colours to determine line thickness is standard in ACAD/LT.

$200.00...????...sounds like a bargain to me. A piddley amount to spend
when maintaining productivity. Petty cash in my opinion.

Ric Norris.
http://users.bigpond.net.au/cavedrawings

 

Yeah, I see your point.

I spoke with my plotting company, and I must have misunderstood what
these drivers actually do. They don't actually change the colors into
shades and thicknesses of black, but rather keep the colors and make a
HPGL/2 file using the standard Windows driver (rather than built in like
AutoCAD LT or full). After finding out what plotter they use (HP
755cm), I was able to download the drivers from the HP's website and in
the printer settings set it to print to a file rather than the printer
port. I then just send that file (which retains the color from my
document) to the plotting company and they had to match the "new" sets
of colors with the old, so the new plots look like my old ones. Rather
simple for me actually, they had to do all the work with matching the
colors.

This is of course a much better route than paying any amount of money
for what I had wanted to do (which was wrong as it turns out).


Tim