Plotter line widths

[Distinctive Machine Corp.]

Until now, we have never been able to get MC to make a color plot (the colors always came out wrong) on our HP650c plotter (36" wide-format ink-jet). We have the right drivers, and the plotter otherwise works OK. We changed the plotter's pallette setting from "factory" to "software" and got color plots with the right colors (hooray!), but the lines are very thin. When we try to change the line widths, either in the screen config-plotter page or by changing the geometry, the plotter just feeds out yards of blank paper. I can't seem to specify a default pen width when using the plotter's "software" setting. Does anybody know what I may still be missing?

[MACHINEMASTERG]

not sure if this will work when plotting?? but in screen config under cad settings /hard copy there is a line width setting you could try ???works good when we print?? havent tried to plot

[BernieT]

Try using the 'File-next menu-Hardcopy'.

 

That works best for our full size prints on an old HP plotter.

 

BerTau And Welcome to the Forum!

 

[ 09-27-2002, 12:24 PM: Message edited by: BerTau ]

[ssibiski]

This is just a question since I haven't used a plotter since I was in high school. Does the plotter use pens? or does it have an ink cartrige like a printer?

 

ssibiski

[BernieT]

Our plotter uses ink cartridge like a printer.

 

BerTau

[Anbu Lingappan - Moldplus SA]

[ 10-01-2002, 09:08 AM: Message edited by: Anbu Lingappan - Intercam Europe ]

[johns]

Change back to "factory settings". Set MC to associate line colors of Mastercam with widths (pen numbers). Ask HP to send you a chart of their factory settings of colors to color numbers. Then you can assign the colors right in the plotter to the pen number, and its line width. MC will relate you line colors on the screen to the appropriate pen number. For those who use hardcopy all the time, using the actual plotting is mich more flexible as far as control of line widths, color and scale. Plots can also be output to a file (in HP format) and emailed to anyone with an HP compatible plotter (just about everyone) and have the same plot you would have to ship them. Example, email a plot file to the other end of the country and be reviewing the drawings over the phone, 15 minutes later.