Creates and edits customized parameter PC3 files for printers and other output devices.
Accessing the Command
command bar: plottermanager
transparent: 'plottermanager
menu bar: File | Plotter Manager
: PlotterManager
Displays a window:
- To edit a plotter configuration:
-
Choose a PC3 file. (PC3 is short for "plotter configuration version 3".)
-
Double-click it to edit it. The program displays a dialog box:
-
Edit the settings.
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Click OK.
- To create a new plotter configuration file:
-
Double-click the Create a Plotter Configuration shortcut. The Plotter Configuration Editor dialog displays.
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Select a printer from the Printer Name droplist.
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Edit the settings.
-
Click OK.
-
Enter a name to save the new plotter configuration file
-
Click OK.
The new PC3 file is added to the C:\Users\<loginname>\AppData\Roaming\Bricsys\BricsCAD\V...\en_US\plotconfig folder.
Information Tab Options
Click the Information tab:
Information Tab Option |
Description |
Printer Name |
Lists the names of printers supported by the the operating system. |
Description |
(Ooptional) Describes the plotter configuration, and is displayed by tooltips. |
OK |
Closes the dialog box and saves the changes. |
Cancel |
Ignores the changes and closes the dialog box, |
Ports Tab Options
Click the Ports tab:
Ports Tab Options |
Description |
AutoSpool |
Sends drawings to the spooler software, which records the plot file and then sends it to the printer. The spooler software must be set up separately, although generally no longer necessary as the operating system usually includes spooling. |
Plot to file |
Plots drawings to PLT files. These plot files can be read by other software programs. |
Plot to the following port |
Plots drawings to the printer attached to the specified port. |
Show all ports |
Displays the names of all local and network ports on the current computer. |
Browse Network |
Opens the Browse Network window so that you to locate printers attached to the network. |
Configure Port |
Opens the Configure Port dialog box to configure the selected port. |
Settings Tab Options
Click the Settings tab:
The settings available depend on the capabilities of the printer selected. The ones shown below are common to all printers and output devices.
Settings Tab Options |
Description |
Media |
Specifies settings for the media (paper). |
Collating |
Specifies how to collate pages:
This option is useful when printing multiple copies of drawings with multiple layouts. |
Graphics |
Specifies how the three types of graphics are handled by the printer: Vector Graphics options:
Raster Graphics options:
|
Merge Control |
Specifies how overlapping lines are merged:
|
Custom Properties
|
Accesses the Custom Properties dialog box, which lists properties unique to the selected output device. The content varies according the capabilities of the device. Custom properties are not supported on the Linux platform. |
Scale Calibration
|
Calibrates the plotter;displays the Calibrate Plotter wizard. This option was necessary in the days of pen plotters, which could go out of alignment; today's inkjet and laser printers not to have the problem. |
Save As |
Displays the Save As dialog box to save settings as PC3 files.
PC3 is short for "plotter configuration version 3"; these files store parameters for specific plotters. You can have multiple PC3 files for each printer and output device. |
Defaults |
Resets all options to their default values; prompts you: Do you want to set everything to defaults? - (type Y or N.) |
Procedures
- To create a plotter configuration file
- To edit a plotter configuration
- To assign a plotter configuration
- Plotter Configurations
Related Commands
ConvertCtb - converts CTB plot style files to STB files.
ConvertPStyles - converts drawings from CTB to STB plot styles.
PageSetup - assigns plot style to drawings.
PlotStyle - sets the current plot style.
Print and Plot - plot drawings.
StylesManager - creates and attaches plot styles to drawings.