TAMU-OAL - Printing to the Open Access Labs (OAL) Plotter

Introduction

This document outlines the steps required to print from the plotter printer. It includes instructions on how to use the plotter for different software applications. 

There are three different queues to select from (print rates listed here): AutoCAD, Plain, or Glossy.

Please note that the maximum print size is no wider than 41.5'', since the roll is 42'' wide. For the AutoCAD queue, only *.DWG files (the extension for AutoCAD files) should be printed. 

This document is divided into sections for each type of software. AutoCAD users only need to use the "Plotting in AutoCAD" section. All other users should view the respective section and then continue to "Customizing Plotter Settings."

Before you Plot:

Plotting is expensive. Please work with SCC staff when preparing to release your plot to the potter. We can help make sure that you have the proper settings for a successful print. 

Plots are billed to the NetID account from they are printed. There are several options for setting up a NetID to print documents and charge them to a departmental billing code. Your NetID needs to be set up with the departmental billing code before plotting. Please see a staff member about setting up a departmental billing code before printing your plot. We are not able to move charges after the plot has already been printed. We are not set up to bill to a purchase order for printing in the Open Access Labs. 

At different times of the semester, the plotter is heavily used (before conferences both on and off campus, Student Research Week, and for class projects); please be sure to allow enough time for your plot to print. 

Plotting in AutoCAD

1. Select the file that you wish to plot. Under the top left printer icon, click Plot. You will then be presented with the "Plot-Model" dialog box. [fig. 01]
   
   
   [fig. 01 - Plot-Model Dialog Box]
2. In the "Printer/plotter" field, click the Name pull-down menu. Choose Plotter - Basic Paper - Line to change the selected printer to the plotter for AutoCAD. [fig. 02]
   
   
   [fig. 02 - Plotter Selection]
3. After the correct plotter is chosen, choose the correct paper size needed for the document using the "Paper Size" drop-down menu.
   
    
4. If the desired size is not available, click the Properties button. This is located next to the "Name:" field under "Printer/plotter." A new dialog box will appear, then click the Custom Properties button. [fig. 03]
   
   
   [fig. 03 - Custom Properties]
5. In the top left of this dialog box, click Custom and a new dialog box should appear. Then specify and save your new custom paper size. [fig. 04]
    

   
   [fig. 04 - Custom Paper Size]

   NOTE: Note that charges for using the plotter are based on the total square footage of the paper size chosen.
   
    
6. After specifying the custom paper size, click OK to close the "Custom size" dialog box. To close the "Custom Properties" dialog box, click OK again. To close the "Plotter Configuration" dialog box, click OK again.
   
    
7. After closing the "Plotter Configuration" dialog box, a message appears that asks you to save the configuration changes made using one of the following options:
    
   • Create a temporary "PC3" file to apply to this plot only.

   • Save changes to the following file:
      

8. Choose Create a temporary PC3 file to apply to this plot only. Then click OK. [fig. 05]
   
   
   [fig. 05 - Create temporary "PC3" file]
9. After setting up the paper size, you should be returned to the "Plot-Model" dialog box [fig. 01]. Ensure that the "Name" under "Printer/plotter" and the "Paper size" have changed accordingly.
   
    
10. In the "plot scale," select the desired scale for the drawing.
    
     
11. To make sure the document looks the way you want before printing, please click on the Preview... option.
    
     
12. Click OK when satisfied to print to the plotter. A message will appear informing you that the print operator must approve and release the document. Go to the Resource Desk and notify the operator.
    
    NOTE: At this point, you have completed printing your plot. You do not need to continue further in the document.
     

Plotting in Adobe Photoshop on Windows

1. After preparing your document, to ensure that the mode is set to "CMYK Color," under the "Image" menu, click Mode. Verify that CMYK is selected.
   
    
2. To set up the image to plot, under the "File" menu, click Print. The Print dialog box will now appear. From the pull-down menu, please select Printer. Choose one of Plotter - Basic Paper - Line, Plotter - Glossy Paper, or Plotter - Basic Paper as desired. [fig. 06]
   
   
   [fig. 06 - Page Setup Dialog Box]
3. To modify the settings of your document, under the "Printer Setup" section, please select Print Settings.... [fig. 07]
   
   
   [fig. 07 - Print Settings]
4. The Properties dialog box should appear. Under the "Paper Options" section, click on Custom.... [fig. 08]
   
   
   [fig. 08 - Custom]
5. Under the "Name" section in the Custom size dialog box, give the size a label (i.e., Custom1). Then, click Save. [fig. 09]
   
   
   [fig. 09 - Custom Size]
6. Lastly, select Print.
    
7. To learn about setting the paper size, color, and quality settings for the plotter, proceed to the "Customizing Plotter Settings" section below.

Plotting in Microsoft Applications (Word, PowerPoint, etc.) for Windows

1. Plotting from Microsoft Word or PowerPoint is similar to normal printing. Once the document is ready to be plotted, from the "file" menu, click the Print command. [fig. 10]
   
   
   [fig. 10 - Select Print Option]
2. The "Print" dialog box should now appear. From the "Name:" field, change the printer destination to Plotter - Basic Paper - Line, Plotter - Glossy Paper, or Plotter - Basic Paper. [fig. 11]
   
   [fig. 11 - Print Dialog Box]
3. To learn about setting the paper size, color, and quality settings for the plotter, proceed to the "Customizing Plotter Settings" section below.
    
4. After selecting a print, select the account to which the funds will be charged from. Finally, accept the charge. 

Finalizing the Plot

If the settings were determined using the "Page Setup" dialog box in the application, click OK. To preview the plot, from the Print options menu, click Print Preview. When you are ready to send the document to the plotter, depending on the application used, click Print or OK. A message informing you that the print operator must approve and release the document will then appear. Go to the Resource Desk and ask an operator to release the document on the selected printer queue (either Plotter - Basic Paper - Line, Plotter - Glossy PaperPlotter - Basic Paper).

NOTE: If you are using PowerPoint, make sure that the view is set at 100% to ensure that no content is cut off.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How can I make sure my plot will print correctly?

A: Using the Print Preview option is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that your plot will print properly. Also, you can send a test print out to the normal printers. Never plot your file until you are completely satisfied with the way it looks.

Q: What type of paper should I specify to plot my file?

A: There are two types of paper used by the plotter: glossy or plain. The paper you choose is a personal preference. 

Q: How do I get my file to plot after I send it?

A: After you send your file, it will be paused in the plot queue of the plotter you chose. You will need to speak with a print operator at the Resource Desk and ask to have your file released. Be sure to specify the paper you want to use.