You
can configure drivers for different file types including, Adobe
PostScript and raster file formats.
AutoCAD® provides
plotter drivers to create the following types of files:
- Autodesk ePlot (DWF)
- Adobe PDF
- Adobe PostScript
- DXB file format
- Raster file formats
Configure ePlot to Create
DWF Files
With ePlot, you can generate electronic drawing
files that are optimized for either plotting or viewing. The files
you create are stored in Design Web Format (DWF). DWF files can
be opened, viewed, and plotted by anyone using the DWF file viewer.
With the DWF file viewer, you can also view DWF files in Microsoft® Internet
Explorer 5.01 or later. DWF files support real-time panning and
zooming and the display of layers and named views.
Configure the Adobe PDF
Driver
If you configure a PDF driver in
the Add-a-Plotter wizard, you can output your drawings in Portable
Document Format (PDF). To configure the PDF driver, in the Add-a-Plotter
wizard, select Autodesk ePlot (PDF) from the Manufacturers list,
and select PDF from the Models list.
Configure the Adobe PostScript
Driver
If
you configure a PostScript driver in the Add-a-Plotter wizard, you
can output your drawings in PostScript format. To configure the
PostScript driver, in the Add-a-Plotter wizard, select Adobe from
the Manufacturer list, and select a PostScript level from the Model
list.
AutoCAD supports
three levels of PostScript. Level 1 works with most devices but
does not support color images and produces larger plot files than the
newer PostScript levels. Level 1 Plus is for Level 1 devices that
also support color images. Level 2 is for newer printers and produces
smaller files and faster output on Level 2 devices.
AutoCAD supports
PostScript printers and plotters using a Centronics-type parallel
I/O port, an RS-232C serial I/O port, or plotting across a network.
If you use a serial port, configure the printer to match the settings
you select in the Configure Port dialog box in the Add-a-Plotter
wizard, Ports page.
Configure DXB File Formats
DXB
(drawing interchange binary) file formats are supported using the AutoCAD DXB
nonsystem file driver.
The output is compatible with the DXBIN
command and with the ADI DXB driver delivered with earlier releases.
The DXB driver shares the following limitations of the ADI driver:
- The driver produces 16 bit integer DXB
files containing only vectors.
- DXB output is monochrome; all vectors
are color 7.
- Raster images and embedded OLE objects
are not supported.
- The driver ignores object and plot style
lineweights.
Configure Raster File Formats
AutoCAD can view drawings that contain raster
images such as TIFF or JPEG.
With
the raster file format driver, AutoCAD can also export raster
files in the formats listed in the Add-a-Plotter wizard. To configure
a raster format driver, select Raster File Formats from the Manufacturer
list.
To configure a plotter
driver for DWF file output
- From the File menu, choose Plotter Manager.
- Double-click the Add-a-Plotter Wizard
shortcut icon.
- On the Begin page, select My Computer.
Choose Next.
- On the Plotter Model page, under Manufacturers,
select Autodesk ePlot (DWF). Under Model, select the type of DWF
that you want to create. Choose Next.
- On the Import PCP or PC2 page, choose
Import File and select a PCP or PC2 file to import (optional). Choose
Import. Then choose Next.
- On the Ports page, select Plot to File.
Choose Next.
- On the Plotter Name page, enter a name
for the plotter configuration file. Choose Next.
- On the Finish page, choose Finish.
A new plotter configuration file (PC3) is created.
To configure a plotter
driver for PDF file output
- From the File menu, choose Plotter Manager.
- Double-click the Add-a-Plotter Wizard
shortcut icon.
- On the Begin page, select My Computer.
Choose Next.
- On the Plotter Model page, under Manufacturers,
select Autodesk ePlot (PDF).
- On the Import PCP or PC2 page, choose
Import File and select a PCP or PC2 file to import (optional). Choose
Import. Then choose Next.
- On the Ports page, select Plot to File.
Choose Next.
- On the Plotter Name page, enter a name
for the plotter configuration file. Choose Next.
- On the Finish page, choose Finish.
A new plotter configuration
file (PC3) is created.
To configure a plotter
driver for PostScript file output
- From the File menu, choose Plotter Manager.
- Double-click the Add-a-Plotter Wizard
shortcut icon.
- On the Begin page, select My Computer.
Choose Next.
- On the Plotter Model page under Manufacturers,
select Adobe. Under Model, select the level of PostScript file that
you want to create. Choose Next.
- On the Import PCP or PC2 page, choose
Import File and select a PCP or PC2 file to import (optional). Choose
Import. Then choose Next.
- On the Ports page, select Plot to File.
Choose Next.
- On the Plotter Name page, enter a name
for the plotter configuration file. Choose Next.
- On the Finish page, choose Finish.
A new plotter configuration file (PC3) is created.
To configure a plotter
driver for DXB file output
- From the File menu, choose Plotter Manager.
- Double-click the Add-a-Plotter Wizard
shortcut icon.
- On the Begin page, select My Computer.
Choose Next.
- On the Plotter Model page, under Manufacturers,
select AutoCAD DXB File. Under Model, select DXB File. Choose
Next.
- On the Import PCP or PC2 page, choose
Import File and select a PCP or PC2 file to import (optional). Choose
Import. Then choose Next.
- On the Ports page, select Plot to File.
Choose Next.
- On the Plotter Name page, enter a name
for the plotter configuration file. Choose Next.
- On the Finish page, choose Finish.
A new plotter configuration file (PC3) is created.
To configure a plotter
driver for raster file output
- From the File menu, choose Plotter Manager.
- Double-click the Add-a-Plotter Wizard
shortcut icon.
- On the Begin page, select My Computer.
Choose Next.
- On the Plotter Model page under Manufacturers,
select Raster File Formats. Under Model, select the type of raster
file that you want to create. Choose Next.
- On the Import PCP or PC2 page, choose
Import File and select a PCP or PC2 file to import (optional). Choose
Import. Then choose Next.
- On the Ports page, select Plot to File.
Choose Next.
- On the Plotter Name page, enter a name
for the plotter configuration file. Choose Next.
- On the Finish page, choose Finish.
A new plotter configuration file (PC3) is created.
To view the custom properties
Help
- From the File menu, choose Plotter Manager.
- In the Autodesk Plotter Manager, double-click
to open the PC3 file whose custom properties help you want to view.
- Choose the Device and Document Settings
tab.
- Select the Custom Properties node.
- Choose Custom Properties.
- In the Custom Properties dialog box for
the configured device, choose Help.
Help provides specific configuration information.
CommandsPLOTTERMANAGER
Displays the Plotter
Manager, where you can add or edit a plotter configuration.
