What driver is recommended to be used with a Macintosh:
What driver is recommended to be used with a Macintosh:
Models: 524xx/524xxP
The User's Guide P/N for the 524xx plotters is M0014-850 and M0016-180
for the 524xxP.
A. WHAT IS THE BEST DRIVER TO USE WITH THE PLOTTER:
Note: This plotter series DOES NOT support PostScript or the
AppleTalk interface.
1. There are two kinds of plotter driver which are recommended
for the Mac. Both are Macintosh Chooser-level drivers. One
creates vector data and is designed to be used with CAD
applications. The other is a raster mode driver and is
designed to be used with any graphics application where
gradients, complex fills, photo-images, or bit-mapped graphics
output is desired.
Both drivers are available from Microspot (408-257-4000). The
vector mode driver is called MacPlot Professional and supports
the CalComp 907/PCI format. The raster mode driver is called
MacPlot Electrostatic DMA and includes a parallel card for the
Mac. This driver supports the CalComp Raster format (CCRF).
The MacPlot vector and raster drivers are updated regularly.
Please call Microspot for the latest information.
To summarize:
For high volume CAD plotting, use the vector mode driver. If
there is a strong requirement for graphics image output and
some CAD, consider the raster mode driver (or use both).
2. What Macintosh applications provide their own CalComp or HPGL
driver?
a. AutoCAD 10/11/12/13 provides a CalComp 907/PCI driver
i. AutoCAD 12/13 lists the 524xx series among the
supported models.
ii. Select the 104x for AutoCAD versions 10/11.
iii. AutoCAD for the Mac use the same port configuration
as on the PC and is listed as follows:
Sync = 16, # of Syncs = 2, EOM = 0D, Checksum = YES,
Stepsize = 400 steps (for versions 12/13) and
2032 steps (for 10/11)
b. Microstation 4.x and 5.x provides a CalComp 907/PCI
driver
i. If your model is not listed select the 104x or any
driver listed as supporting 907 or PCI.
ii. The default port setting for Microstation is:
Sync = 2, # of Syncs = 1, EOM = 3, Checksum = NO,
Stepsize = 2032
c. Ashlar Vellum provides a CalComp 907/PCI driver
i. If your model is not listed select the 104x or any
driver listed as supporting 907 or PCI.
ii. The default port setting for Vellum is:
Sync = 2, # of Syncs = 2, EOM = 3, Checksum = NO,
Stepsize = 2032
NOTE: The Ashlar Vellum driver requires a unique
configuration of two beginning of record sync
codes, with a value of 2.
d. ArchiCAD, Architrion, and VersaCAD all provide HPGL
drivers. HPGL format works well with CalComp plotters
but is not generally recommended because the 907/PCI
format is a much faster, tighter plot code.
3. Is MacPlot recommended over other drivers?
a. If AutoCAD is the primary application, use the AutoCAD
driver.
b. MacPlot Professional is recommended for all other CAD
applications, however, is suggested you contact your CAD
software vendor for their recommendations when using
applications where a CalComp driver is supplied.
4. How is MacPlot Professional configured?
a. If your model is not listed select the 104x or any
driver listed as supporting 907 or PCI.
b. The default port configuration for MacPlot Professional is:
Sync = 2, # of Syncs = 1, EOM = 3, Checksum = NO,
Stepsize = 2032
c. MacPlot Professional requires a serial connection to
the plotter. We recommend CalComp P/N 16623-0029. This
cable connects directly to the Mac's MODEM port and one
of the plotter's COM (serial) ports. The default serial
configuration MacPlot Professional uses is: 9600 baud, 7
data bits, stop bit, and EVEN parity (9600, 7, 1, E),
and hardware (CTS) handshaking. It also supports other
baud rates up to 38,400 bits per second.
d. MacPlot Professional is a powerful CalComp 907/PCI
vector mode driver. Many Calcomp plotters are listed as
being supported, including the DrawingMaster. Please
call Microspot for information on the latest version and
any planned updates (408-257-4000).
5. What will the MacPlot Professional vector mode driver allow me
to print outside of CAD applications?
a. The vector mode driver is versatile and can be used with
word processors such as MS-Word, spreadsheets such as
Lotus and Excel, and to a limited extent, graphics
programs such as Freehand and Canvas, etc.
MacPlot Professional is not recommended to be used with
Pagemaker and Quark, or any programs which generate
primarily paint/bitmap files and photo-images, etc.
These require the raster mode driver, MacPlot
Professional DMA (or the latest equivalent CalComp
raster format (CCRF) driver offered by Microspot, 408-
257-4000).