What the Solus 4 (54424/54436) plotters emulate.

A.   WHAT PLOT COMMAND LANGUAGES DO SOLUS 4 PLOTTERS SUPPORT:

     These plotters have 3 plot data ports (2 serial and 1 parallel). The serial port marked
COM_1/OPCOM is configured at the factory as  the OPCOM/TERMINAL port and 
CANNOT be used for plot data. However, this port can easily be re-configured as a 
plot data port by setting the OPCOM option to NO (refer to page 3-70 in the User's 
Guide).

     Solus 4 plotters AUTOSENSE all of the print/plot data formats which are 
supported/emulated. This means the format doesn't need to be setup on the plotter. 
The plotter should automatically switch from one emulation to the next.

     Detailed information on how the plotter emulates the following formats is found in the 
Plotter Reference Manual, chapters 3 through 7. The order number for the Plotter 
Reference Manual is, M0016-310.

     1.   907/PCI/CCGL (supported on all plot data ports)
          The standard or native CalComp vector plot command language. The best choice 
for most CAD applications. Detailed information on 907/PCI/CCGL is available from the 
Plotter Reference Manual, in chapter 3 (also, see note 'C', below).

     2.   HPGL (supported on all plot data ports)
          The standard Hewlett-Packard pen plotter language for both small and large 
format HP pen plotters. Detailed information on HPGL is available from the Plotter 
Reference Manual, in chapter 4.

     3.   HP/GL2 (supported on all plot data ports)
          The Solus 4 plotters emulate most closely the HP model  7600. Choose an 
application driver which supports the 7600 or an equivalent model. Detailed information 
on HP/GL2 is available from the Plotter Reference Manual, in chapter 4.

          NOTE:  HP/RTL emulation was added with the release of firmware revision 3.11.

     4.   CCRF (supported on the parallel port only)
          The CalComp Raster Format for large format (D and E size) plotters. Solus 4 
plotters support BOTH compressed CCRF and uncompressed CCRF data.

          The Solus 4 plotters accept CCRF data in both DIRECT and BUFFERED modes. 
Detailed information on CCRF is available in chapter 5 of the Plotter Reference Manual.

     5.   TIFF (supported on the parallel port only)

          There are currently more than 100 versions (flavors) of TIFF. CalComp supports 
one of the more common types. Before attempting to print a TIFF file it is important to 
review the detailed information on TIFF that is available from your Plotter Reference 
Manual, in chapter 6.

          NOTE: A TIFF file to be printed by the Solus 4 plotter must include a CDCL header. 
CDCL means CALCOMP DEVICE CONTROL. For detailed information on using CDCL. 
please refer to chapter 2 in your Plotter Reference Manual. (also, the problem summary, 
HOW TO USE CDCL).

          The CDCL file required is as follows:

                    &&&&CALCOMP DEVICE CONTROL
                    FILE_SIZE(12585)
                    ^^^^END OF FILE

          The CDCL file is created with an ASCII text editor, such as the DOS Edit program 
or Windows Notepad. It must be created exactly as shown above, using upper case 
characters and the spacing given. Also, each line must be terminated with a 'hard return'.

          FILE_SIZE is telling the plotter what the exact byte count of the TIFF file is. The 
plotter must have the byte count in order to determine where the TIFF file ends. Otherwise, 
the file will not terminate properly so that it can be printed.

          The TIFF file byte count is the number given in parenthesis. 12585 is an 
example only.

     6.   CALSG4 (supported on the parallel port only)
          CALSG4 (CCITT Type 1) is one of the primary government standards for scanned
drawings and images.

          The Solus 4 plotters accept CALSG4 data in both DIRECT and BUFFERED
 modes. Detailed information on CALSG4 is available from the Plotter Reference Manual, 
in chapter 7.

B.   WHAT EMULATION OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE:

     1.   POSTSCRIPT:  An optional PostScript Level 1 interpreter is available for the 
Solus 4. The order number for this option/upgrade 202962-1008 (PostScript Level 2 is 
NOT supported). The PostScript option can be ordered by calling CalComp at 
1-800-226-2667. This option is a plotter software- system upgrade. It does not require 
one of the plotter's option-card slots.

     2.   VERSATEC/GREENSHEET:  A Versatec Parallel Interface option, model 974, 
is available for the Solus 4. The VPI 974 is an internal interface which connects directly 
into one of the Solus 4's open slots.

C.   WHAT IS THE 907/PCI LANGUAGE?

     1.   907/PCI/CCGL is the native CalComp plot command language. It is a vector-
based format and is therefore very efficient for CAD applications. It is the plot language 
of choice for most if not all CAD programs. 907/PCI/CCGL is most often referred to as 
907 (or 907/PCI). CCGL stands for CalComp Color Graphics Language.

     2.   By strict definition, the 907/PCI format is the complete command set for a 
CalComp pen plotter.

          CCGL is a superset of 907/PCI and includes additional (extended) commands 
which are supported by all CalComp large- format raster products. The Solus 4 series is 
part of this family of CalComp plotters.

          This extended set basically ADDS pen definition and color/pattern definition 
commands to the existing 907/PCI language.


D.   WHAT IS THE CCRF LANGUAGE?

     CCRF means CalComp Raster Format. It was specifically designed for CalComp's large
format raster plotters. It is best used when graphic images need to be printed, as opposed 
to CAD files.

     1.   DIRECT MODE (Faster plot time and unlimited file size)
          In this mode, the plotter prints the CCRF file as it is received. Generally, there is no 
limit to the size of the CCRF file to be printed when you are using DIRECT MODE.

     2.   BUFFERED MODE  (Slowest initial plot time but very fast replot. Limited file size)
          In this mode, the plotter stores the CCRF file onto it's hard disk before printing it.
Therefore, a particular CCRF file (or group of CCRF files) cannot exceed the size (or 
available space) of the plotter's hard disk.

          The available space is determined by the number of USER files that have been 
created (each one uses about 60k of space) and the number of vector or buffered CCRF 
files which have been sent to the plotter and automatically stored for replot.  All vector 
jobs are automatically stored on the plotter"s disk, they don't have a Buffered or Direct 
mode.)

          BUFFERED MODE allows you to replot the CCRF file as many times as you like 
(until the plotter is powered off, then all jobs that were stored will be deleted).

     3.   COMPRESSED AND UNCOMPRESSED CCRF DATA
          Uncompressed CCRF files can be much larger than compressed CCRF files, but 
usually plot quite a bit faster. The reason for this is that compressed CCRF files must be 
uncompressed by the plotter before it can print them.