If you are an AutoCAD user and want to add a plotter to your drawings, you’ve come to the right place. In this tutorial, we will guide you step-by-step on how to create a plotter in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Accessing the Plotter Manager
Before we start creating a plotter, let’s first access the Plotter Manager in AutoCAD. To do this, click on the “Output” tab in the top menu and then select “Plotter Manager” from the drop-down menu. This will open up the Plotter Manager dialog box.
Step 2: Adding a New Plotter
Once you have accessed the Plotter Manager, you can proceed to add a new plotter. In the Plotter Manager dialog box, click on the “Add-A-Plotter Wizard” button. This will launch the Add Plotter wizard.
Step 2.1: Choosing a Plotter Model
On the first page of the Add Plotter wizard, you will be prompted to choose a plotter model. Select the appropriate manufacturer and model from the list provided. If your plotter model is not listed, you can choose a similar model or select “Have Disk” if you have specific drivers for your plotter.2: Specifying Port and Configuration
In this step, you need to specify the port that your plotter is connected to. You can choose between local or networked ports depending on your setup. Once you have selected the port, click “Next” to proceed.
On the next page, you can customize the plotter configuration settings such as paper size, orientation, and resolution. Make the necessary adjustments according to your requirements and click “Next” to continue.3: Naming the Plotter
In this step, you will be asked to provide a name for your plotter. It is recommended to choose a descriptive name that will help you identify the plotter easily. Enter the desired name and click “Next” to move on.
Step 3: Plotter Configuration
Once you have added a new plotter, it’s time to configure its settings. To do this, select the newly added plotter from the Plotter Manager dialog box and click on the “Properties” button.
In the Plotter Configuration Editor window, you can customize various settings such as paper size, plot style table (pen assignments), pen width, and more. Make sure to review each setting carefully and adjust them according to your requirements.
- Paper Size: Choose the appropriate paper size for your plotter from the list provided.
- Plot Style Table: Select a plot style table that defines pen assignments for different colors and lineweights in your drawing.
- Pen Width: Adjust the pen width settings based on your preference or project requirements.
Step 4: Saving Plotter Configuration
Once you have configured all the necessary settings for your plotter, it’s important to save them. Click on the “Save As” button in the Plotter Configuration Editor window and choose a location where you want to save the configuration file. Give it a relevant name and click “Save” to save the plotter configuration.
Step 5: Plotting Your Drawings
Now that you have successfully created and configured a plotter in AutoCAD, you are ready to start plotting your drawings. To plot a drawing, click on the “Output” tab in the top menu and select “Plot” from the drop-down menu. This will open up the Plot dialog box.
In the Plot dialog box, choose the desired plotter from the list of available plotters. You can also adjust other settings such as paper size, plot area, scale, and more. Once you have made all the necessary adjustments, click on “Plot” to start plotting your drawing using the configured plotter.
Congratulations! You have successfully created a plotter in AutoCAD and plotted your drawings. Now you can easily print or share your designs with others.
In this tutorial, we covered the step-by-step process of creating a plotter in AutoCAD. Remember to access the Plotter Manager, add a new plotter using the Add-A-Plotter Wizard, configure its settings using the Plotter Configuration Editor, save the configuration file, and finally plot your drawings using the configured plotter. With this knowledge, you can now efficiently produce high-quality prints of your AutoCAD drawings.