PlotterManager

Works with Classic, Pro

Creates customized parameter PC3 files for printers and other output devices; executes the PlotConfig.exe utility program.

Accessing the Command

command bar: plottermanager

menu bar: File | Plotter Manager

: plottermanager

Displays a window:

To edit an existing plotter configuration file, double click a PC3 file, such as default.pc3.

Make changes the properties, and then click OK.

To create a new plotter configuration file, double-click the Create a Plotter Configuration shortcut.

Select the properties, and then click OK.

You are prompted to name the new plotter configuration file:

Enter a name, and then click OK.

The new PC3 file is added to the C:\Users\<loginname>\AppData\Roaming\Bricsys\Bricscad\V8\en_US\plotconfig folder.

Command Options

General Option	Description
Description	Describes the plotter configuration; displayed in tooltips. This field is optional.

Ports Option
Plot to the following port	Plots drawings to the printer attached to the specified port.
Plot to file	Plots drawings to PLT files. These plot files can be read by other software programs.
AutoSpool	Sends drawings to spoolers, which control how and when drawings are plotted. The spooler software must be set up separately.
Show all ports	Displays the names of all local and network ports found on the current computer.
Browse Network	Opens the Browse Network window. Allows you to locate printers attached to the network.
Configure Port	Opens the Configure Port dialog box. Allows you to configure the selected port.

Device and Document Settings Option
Media	Specifies settings for the media (paper).
	Specifies how to collate pages: None - does not collate; drawings are printed normally. Regular - prints layouts of each drawing together. This option is useful when printing multiple copies of drawings with multiple layouts.

Graphics	Specifies how graphics are handled by the printer.
Vector Graphics (currently NOT supported)	Specifies how vector graphics are handled: Color depth - specifies the number of colors to use. Color - outputs the drawing in color. Monochrome - outputs the drawing in monochrome (black). Resolution - adjusts the resolution; lower resolution is coarser, but prints more quickly. Dithering - specifies the type of dithering, which simulates more colors at the cost of lower resolution. Vector graphics are normal Bricscad drawings made with lines, arcs, and so on.
	Specifies how raster vectors are handled: Raster - adjusts how raster images are handled. OLE - adjust how OLE objects are printed; ranges from: None - does not print OLE entities. Best - prints OLE entities at highest quality. Trade-off - specifies how Bricscad should handle drawings with very large raster images that take up much memory: Lower Resolution - prints images with lower resolution but full colors; suitable for photographs. Balance - prints images with as many colors and as much resolution as possible. Fewer Colors - prints images with fewer colors but full resolution; suitable for grayscale images. Raster graphics are images attached to drawings.
	Specifies how TrueType text is handled: TrueType as text - prints text as text; preferred when the printer holds the needed fonts. TrueType as graphics - prints text as graphics; preferred when drawings are printed to files.
	Specifies how overlapping lines are merged: Lines Overwrite - specifies that entities with higher draw order overwrite other entities. Lines Merge - specifies that entities are blended to merge their colors; allows entities with lower draw order to be seen.

Custom Properties	Accesses the Custom Properties dialog box. This dialog box lists properties unique to the selected output device. Its content varies according the capabilities of the device.

User-Defined Paper Sizes & Calibration
	Specifies custom paper sizes. Add - adds user-defined paper sizes. Delete - removes custom paper sizes. Edit - edits custom paper sizes.
	Modifies the margins on standard paper sizes: Modify - displays the Custom Paper Size - Printable Area wizard. See below.
	Reduces the number of paper sizes. The list of paper sizes normally shows all sizes that the output device is capable of handling. In reality, you work with just a few sizes. Click checkboxes next to sizes you don't want displayed by the Print dialog box. Check All - includes all paper sizes. Uncheck All - excludes all paper sizes.
Plotter Calibration	Calibrates the plotter. Calibrate Plotter - displays the Calibrate Plotter wizard. See below. This option was necessary in the days of pen plotters, which could go out of alignment; today's inkjet and laser printers not to have the problem.
PMP File Name	Specifies PMP file names. PMP is short for "plot model parameter." These files stored custom paper sizes and plotter calibration data; they are associated with PC3 plotter configuration files. Attach - displays the Open dialog box; choose a PMP file, and then click Open. Save PMP - displays the Save As dialog box; name the file, and then click Save. Detach - removes the attached PMP file.

Import	Imports PCP and PC2 files; displays the Plotting Components dialog box. Click OK. Displays the Import dialog box. Choose a PCP or PC2 file, and then click Import. PCP and PC2 are older formats of the plotter configuration files.
Save As	Displays the Save As dialog box; saves settings as PC3 files. Enter a file name, and then click Save. PC3 is short for "plotter configuration version 3"; these files store parameters for specific plotters. You can have multiple PC3 files for each plotter or printer.
Defaults	Resets all options to their default values; prompts you: Do you want to set everything to defaults? - type Y or N.