CompuServe Messages

There are two "problems" really. I prefer to call them "misunderstandings". When AutoCAD plots directly to the serial port it interrogates the plotter for its "Hard Clip Limits". This is the physical size of the sheet MINUS the border. The plotter measures each sheet that you load and returns the maximum x and y motion of the pen. AutoCAD automatically locates the origin for the plot in the lower left corner of these limits. Misunderstanding #1: When you plot to a file, AutoCAD can not interrogate the plotter and so cannot determine the origin. The default origin for most HP plotters is in the very middle of the sheet. AutoCAD offsets the origin based on the plot size; it takes it on faith that you have told it the correct plot size. AutoCAD has pre-programmed plot sizes with an ARBITRARY 1/2" border all around. For example, a D-size sheet is physically 34" x 22" and when you pick "D" at the AutoCAD plot size prompt, it enters 33" x 21" for you. Misunderstanding #2: The plotter can't do that. It can't reach to within a 1/2" of the edge all around the paper. Check the plotter manual and you will find that in some cases, over an inch is required for the border. At the AutoCAD plot size prompt type in the width and height of the plot size based on the capabilities of the plotter. Here is a way to visualize the HP plot-to-file shift problem. Let's pretend that you have a big fat E-size sheet in the plotter. You send a small A-size plot. When AutoCAD is driving the serial port directly, it places the plot in the lower left corner of the paper. When you send the same plot to a FILE and then to the plotter, it lands right in the middle of the sheet (see #1 above). Suppose you told AutoCAD that the plot was C-size. A C-size plot would land right in the middle as well. [More]