Specify Physical Pen Configuration (For Pen Plotters Only)

In the Plotter Configuration Editor, the Physical Pen Configuration setting controls the pens in the pen plotter.

You can specify pen swapping on a single pen plotter, adjust the polygon area for pen width, and set pen optimization if the configured plotter supports these features. The lower pane of the Device and Document Settings tab displays a table that describes the color, width, and speed of each pen in the plotter.

NotePhysical pen information cannot be detected automatically. You must provide this information for your pen plotter under the Physical Pen Characteristics option.

You must specify the pen settings even if you don't plan to use plot style tables. If you choose not to create a plot style table, AutoCAD automatically assigns pens, using the pen color and width information you provide. AutoCAD uses the pen whose color is closest to the color assigned to the object. If more than one pen matches, then the pen with the closest width is used. If the best pen is narrower than the object's width, several strokes are used to draw the object. If you use a plot style table, you can assign a physical pen number to each plot style.

See Also

Switch the Type of Plot Style Table in the User's Guide

Procedure

To configure pens

From the File menu, choose Plotter Manager.
Double-click the plotter configuration (PC3) file whose pen settings you want to change.
In the Plotter Configuration Editor, choose the Device and Document Settings tab.
Double-click Physical Pen Configuration to view the pen configuration settings.
Select Pen Configuration. Under Pen Configuration, do one of the following:
- If you use a single-pen plotter and want to use different pens when you plot, select Prompt for Pen Swapping.
- For greater accuracy when plotting filled areas and wide polylines, choose Area Fill Correction. AutoCAD moves the pen inward by half a pen width.
- Under Pen Optimization Level, select one of the available methods. Each method in the list includes the optimization methods preceding it in the list (except for No Optimization).
Select Physical Pen Characteristics. For each pen in your plotter, specify the color, speed, and width. This step is required.
NoteUse the Plot Style Table Editor to assign specific colors and pen widths to your objects that correspond to the plotted colors and widths for your plotting device.
When finished, choose OK.

Quick Reference

Commands