What driver should be used with a Macintosh:
What driver should be used with a Macintosh:
Model: 54424/54436 (Solus 4 series)
A. WHAT IS THE BEST DRIVER TO USE WITH THE PLOTTER:
Note: This plotter series DOES NOT directly support PostScript
or the AppleTalk interface. (The Print Bridge, model
86625, may used as an external interface for PostScript
Level 1 support. The Solus 4 PostScript software upgrade
option does NOT support the Mac.)
The Solus 4 supports HP/GL2, emulating the HP 7600 plotter.
(HP/RTL is supported with firmware revision 3.11 or greater).
See Note 'B', below for driver configuration and Autosensing.
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 (1-800-MACPLOT). 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 does NOT list the Solus 4 series
among the supported models. Select the
DrawingMaster 52436 and configure your plotter's
Stepsize to 400.
ii. Select the 104x for AutoCAD versions 10/11
configure the plotter's Stepsize for 2032.
iii. AutoCAD for the Mac uses 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. To make a serial connection you need an
ImageWriter One (Mini DIN-8) serial cable (connected
directly to the Mac) with a CalComp adapter attached
(CalComp P/N 21616-0010). The ImageWriter One cable
connects directly to the Mac's MODEM port and the
adapter end connects to the Solus 4's COM_2 port. If you
wish to extend the lengthen this cable (up to 50'), add
a straight-through extension cable (CalComp P/N 11772-
020 is a 25' heavy duty extension cable).
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 52436.
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).
B. AUTOSENSING PLOT DATA
The Solus 4 automatically configures itself for CalComp 907/PCI,
CalComp CCRF, HPGL, and HP/GL2 (emulating an HP 7600 only). This
means that only the following port parameters must be configured:
PORT
PARAMETER
REQUIRED EXAMPLE
=====================================
Baud Rate: 9600
Character (or data) Framing: 7, E, 1
Plot Data Protocol: CTS (hardware)
Stepsize: 400
The above parameters must match what is setup on the Mac system.
First, configure the Mac, then go to the plotter's Control Panel
and configure the plotter. This is accomplished under the Control
Panel menu option called PORT SETUP (detailed information is found
in the User's Guide, starting on page 3-51).