Notes on Plotting with FrameMaker

The following instructions apply to FrameMaker on Unix and Windows.

Creating a Large Page Size

To create a page larger than 8 1/2" x 11", first click on the NEW button and then click on "Custom..." In the box that appears, type in the width and height of your document and click on "Create".

Note that if you specify a width greater than the length (a landscape page), the page will be rotated so that the longer side (the width) is plotted along the length of the plotter paper. This is the case even if the width you specify is less than the 36" width of the plotter paper. For example, a page of dimensions 20" by 12" will consume 20" of plotter paper because it will be rotated such that the 20" side plots along the length of the plotter paper rather than the width.

Font Size

You can choose a font size up to 400 points high (approximately 5 inches) in any color.

Using Color

You can add color to your page in several ways:

• To make an entire paragraph the same color, click on Format -> Paragraphs -> Designer.
  Under "Properties" select "Default Font" and select the color. Click on "Apply".
• If you only want to change the color of a word or several characters, highlight the word (or characters), click on Format -> Characters -> Designer and select the color. Click on "Apply".
• If you want to change the color of an object you have drawn with the Tools palette, select the object, and then select the color.

Using View -> Color -> Definitions, you can even design your own colors.

Sending Your Document to the Plotter (RCS UNIX)

1. To send your page to the plotter, click on "Print" under the "File" menu. A dialog box will open.
2. Under Destination, pull down the menu and select Other Printer.

3. In the space provided, type the name of the plotter you want, e.g., "vcplt".
4. For the Printer Paper Size, the numbers you enter depend on whether your FrameMaker page is portrait or landscape orientation.

• If the page is portrait: Enter the same dimensions you chose when you opened the document.
• If the page is landscape: Your page will automatically be rotated so that the width (the longer side) will print along the length of the paper. Therefore, you must enter the FrameMaker page height (the smaller number) as the paper width and the FrameMaker page width (the larger number) as the paper height.
5. Click "Print".

Sending Your Document to the Plotter (Windows)

1. To send your page to the plotter, click on "Print" under the "File" menu. A dialog box will open.
2. Click "Setup...", and in pull down the menu next to Name: select the name of the plotter you want, e.g., "vcplt".

3. Click on "Properties...", then select the Paper tab. (If you don't see a Paper tab, click on Advanced...)
4. Select a paper size that matches or is a bit larger than your FrameMaker page size. To choose a custom size, click on one the of custom paper types (p+), then click the "Custom ..." button near the bottom of the window. Fill in appropriate numbers for the width and length.
5. Click OK in the Properties window, and then click OK in the main Print window to send the document to the plotter.

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Please send comments and suggestions to consult@rpi.edu.