Using AutoCad 12/13, selects one color and plotter plots differently than expect
A. If using AutoCAD 12 or 13, note the following:
1. If pens are to be controlled by the software (i.e., the pen
widths are to be adjusted by selecting different pen width values
in the PLOT menu's PEN ASSIGNMENTS dialog menu), then check the
following:
a. The PEN SETUP menu selection on the plotter needs to be set
to: USE SOFTWARE. To set this on the plotter, perform the
following:
i. Press the MENU button on the plotter until the
plotter displays: MENU - USE ARROW KEYS TO CHANGE.
ii. Press the down arrow key until the plotter displays:
PEN SETUP:
iii. Press the right (+) key until the plotter displays:
PEN SETUP: USE SOFTWARE.
iv. Press the down arrow keys until the plotter displays:
SAVE AS USER. Press the right (+) key until the
plotter displays either 1, 2, 3, or 4.
v. Press the down arrow key once. When the plotter
displays: INTERNAL TEST, the plotter is set up. Load
the media into the plotter and press the ON LINE
button twice.
b. The monitor and/or video driver that the customer is using
may not be showing them the correct colors. Consequently,
the output will be different than what is displayed.
CalComp has some sample AutoCad 12/13 drawing files, which
can be download from the CalComp Web Site
http://www.calcomp.com and output to the plotter to see what color each pen will actually output. The file name is: 255ACAD.ZIP.
c. If pens are to be controlled on the plotter, the PEN SETUP
menu selection on the plotter needs to be set to: USE
TABLE, DEFAULT TABLE, or MODIFY TABLE (to change colors,
pen widths, or pen end/joins).
i. To set this on the plotter, perform the following:
i.1. Press the MENU button on the plotter until the
plotter displays: MENU - USE ARROW KEYS TO
CHANGE.
i.2. Press the down arrow key until the plotter
displays: PEN SETUP:
i.3. Press the right (+) key until the plotter
displays the desired selection.
i.4. Press the down arrow keys until the plotter
displays: SAVE AS USER. Press the right (+) key
until the plotter displays either 1, 2, 3, or
4.
i.5. Press the down arrow key once. When the plotter
displays: INTERNAL TEST, the plotter is set up.
Load the media into the plotter and press ON
LINE.
ii. In AutoCAD 12/13, use either;
ii.1. The CalComp Pen Plotter driver such as model
3024/3036, or
ii.2. The CalComp TechJet/DrawingMaster/Electrostatic
driver and answering NO to the questions asking
about including/creating pen definitions in the
plot data, allowing area fills, and using CDCL
commands.
B. For applications other than AutoCAD 12 or 13, note the following:
1. The plotter menu selection: PEN SETUP: USE SOFTWARE is only
valid for drivers that send software setup information to the
plotter. The only applications that support this feature is
AutoCAD 12 and 13 (DOS or Windows).
2. All other applications require that the plotter pens be set up on
the plotter.
3. The PEN SETUP menu selection needs to be set to: USE TABLE,
DEFAULT TABLE, or MODIFY TABLE (to change colors, pen widths, or
pen end/joins).
a. To set this on the plotter, perform the following:
i Press the MENU button on the plotter until the
plotter displays: MENU - USE ARROW KEYS TO CHANGE.
ii. Press the down arrow key until the plotter displays:
PEN SETUP:
iii. Press the right (+) key until the plotter displays
the desired selection.
iv. Press the down arrow keys until the plotter displays:
SAVE AS USER. Press the right (+) key until the
plotter displays either 1, 2, 3, or 4.
v. Press the down arrow key once. When the plotter
displays: INTERNAL TEST, the plotter is set up. Load
the media into the plotter and press ON LINE.
C. If one of the nozzles in the print head is not working, the output may
be poor. Output the stitch plot and examine the nozzle check.
1. Perform the following steps:
a. Load the media into the plotter. A-size media is
sufficient. Lower both the pinch rollers.
b. Press ON LINE.
c. After the plotter has sized the media, the plotter will
display either: ONLINE 0:00 or MANUAL 0:00. Press the MENU
key until the plotter displays: MENU - USE ARROW KEYS TO
CHANGE
d. Press the UP ARROW key until the plotter displays: INTERNAL
TEST: OFF
e. Press the right (+) key until the plotter displays:
INTERNAL TEST: STITCH PLOT
f. Press the ON LINE key. Wait for the plotter to complete the
test.
2. If the nozzle checks show blobs of ink, white spaces where a
nozzle should be firing, then either the print head and print
station needs cleaning, or the cartridge needs to be replaced.
a. Clean the rectangular cap on the plot station with a q-tip
and isopropyl alcohol. This cap is located on the left side
of the plotter, where the plotter normally returns the
carriage. The rectangular cap is on a spindle.
b. Additionally, on some models, in front of the rectangular
cap is a clear plastic wiper. Clean that as well with a q-
tip and isopropyl alcohol.