A new PostScript plotter, which has been under test for some time, will become a production service on RCS as of March 7, filling the long-standing need for printing large-size, color output suitable for architecture projects, posters, and other large-format applications. The HP DesignJet 755CM inkjet printer uses 36-inch wide continuous paper, with a minimum height of 11 inches and an effective maximum height of 52 inches. (The absolute maximum varies with the specific application and plotter speed, but 52 inches is a practical upper limit.) The plotter resolution is 300dpi for color plots and up to 600dpi for grayscale.
Users can collect their plots in the special bins to the right of the output racks in the VCC. Note that the plotter needs time to produce quality output, so please allow for sufficient turn-around time.
The new plotter, named VCC_HP_755CM_Plotter and abbreviated as vcplt, is currently available from RCS and also from campus Macs.
To send a PostScript file to the plotter from RCS, enter the command:
lpr -Pvcplt filename.ps
By default, plots appear in color, with "normal" print quality. You can choose grayscale or specify print quality (pq) and paper size by using the -X option on the lpr commad; a list of -X options appears below.
grayscale (or greyscale) pq=fast (or pq=draft) pq=normal pq=best paper=x (Example: paper=20x30 means 20" wide by 30" high.)
To choose grayscale and "best" print quality, enter a command such as:
lpr -Pvcplt -Xgrayscale,pq=best filename.ps
The print quality is determined mainly by the speed of the plotter, but resolution is also a factor for grayscale plots. The resolution of color output is always 300dpi; grayscale resolution is 300dpi for "fast" and "normal" quality, and 600dpi for "best" quality.
Note that you rarely need the paper option because the application normally sets the paper size. If the application doesn't set the size, you can use the paper option to set it, or accept the default paper size of 36"x17".
To use the plotter from a Macintosh, first use the Chooser to select your usual Appletalk zone and the RCS Spooler Server, and then supply your RCS userid and password. (If you are not familiar with this procedure, see Quick Study #15, Printing from Macintosh Computers, for instructions.) To select the plotter:
Follow the usual procedure for printing your Macintosh document. Note the Options button in the Print dialog box, which allows you to choose plotter options.
If you have a private Macintosh without the "LaserWr 8.3.4-rpi" icon, you can install it yourself. (For instructions on how to do this, please refer to the on-line documentation cited at the end of this article.)
The plotter fees have been set so that CIS can recover the cost of supplies. The charges depend on the print quality, as follows:
$0.75/foot -- grayscale/fast $1.00/foot -- grayscale/normal $1.25/foot -- grayscale/best $1.25/foot -- color/fast $1.50/foot -- color/normal $1.75/foot -- color/best
Plotting from a number of applications has been tested, with mixed results. In particular, Photoshop and PageMaker (Mac) had good results, as did Autocad, Microstation, and Pro/ENGINEER on UNIX. You may also plot using LaTeX and FrameMaker, but at the moment WordPerfect does not work.
Many of these applications require special instructions for good results. You can find information on using the various applications from the ACS homepage on RPInfo; select the Help link, then Printing, and finally The PostScript Plotter. Please check for plotting help there, or with the ACS consultants in the Help Desk locations, before sending a job to the plotter. ACS cannot provide refunds for unsupported, untested software, or in cases where users did not follow the instructions.
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