#Color Plotters
18 messages in this thread
Anyone using a color plotter to output .tif, .tga or other raster file formats?
Can the HP 650C get the job done? I'm looking at replacing an electrostatic
which produces color plots of raster files but the color is inconsistent at
best. I'd like to output lots of 2d stuff like color architectural site plans
and elevations but also 3DS rendered images at sizes above 11×17.
I can tell you that the 650c does a very good job for an ink jet printer. We
have an E size here and use it all the time. Better color than the HP XL300. If
you like, I can send you a few samples of output of different types (we do maps
and such, and I send off rendered images and pictures on the side) and you can
judge for yourself. I have been very happy with it.
Tim:
Is it conceivable to simply print to the 650C .tif and .tga files out of
Photostyler or 3DS? What CAD software are you using to plot your files? I
appreciate your offer to send an output sample. I'll be back in touch if I
need it. I'll look into scheduling a demo from a local dealer. To give you an
idea why I ask the questions about outputting raster files, the first dealer I
spoke with said the 650C could not do raster output. I was almost certain he
was wrong but I thought maybe I had the wrong model number or a small brain
tumor. I interpret your response as confirming that if I have a tumor it is
still very small <g>
Bob
The 650C ONLY does raster output, as it were, since it's a bubblejet plotter.
There was an article in a recent 3D Artist Magazine on configuring the 650 to
plot 3d Studio files, I can send you the issue number if you want, or precis
the article if you can't get a hold of it.
Regards, gary. (bright faces?)
Technically, you are right, but the cad files come out looking pretty sharp as
well, better than either of our old pen plotters ever could. We sold one and
the other one gathers dust in our storeroom now. By the way, since were
nit-picking (g), the 650c is an ink jet plotter, not a bubble jet.
Hi there…
Okay, nitpickers, what's the difference between a bubble-jet and an
ink-jet? <g> As far as I know, they're the same, just different ways of calling
a kettle black.
Regards, Gary
One is a generic "ink-jet" the other is a Canon Trade Mark. You forgot "Paint
Jet" That's the Hewlett Packard trade mark. As far as I know all use the
Canon engine technology.
Speaking of which I just acquired some free samples of the Glossy paper for the
HP Paintjet and it works great on the Canon BJC-800. The output looks superior
to the Primera dye sub.
For those interested the stuff is HP # 51636H and comes 50 sheets to a pack.
It will give you that glossy photo look.
Thanks for the tip on the paper. I have a Canon BJC-600, and I found that my
best colour printing results so far are obtained using VISTA color Prem Color
"Elite" 747, which is a 27 lb. bright white matte clay coated paper. I'll try
and find the glossy paper, the shine really gives images a special look.
I was pretty impressed with the results I got with the glossy paper but I was
knocked on the floor when I heard the price. $1.04 ea. sheet. I heard that
the clay coated paper is available in glossy. Know anything about this?
<<clay coated paper available in glossy?>>
No, I haven't run across any. I spec'ed out about 8 different clay
coated papers when I was looking for a good one for the BJC-600, but they were
all matte. The one I mentioned is about $13.00 Canadian per 100 sheets, which
is a lot less than the price you mention. I would still like to try the glossy
paper out, though. A buck a sheet is still cheaper than going in for a dye sub
print or equivalent.
I'm going to try the clay coated paper next. I have about 30 sheets of the
Canon stuff on hand so it's time to reorder. What paper did you find works as
well? I lost most of my recent messages due to a file sharing bug so I must
ask you again.
They're basically the same technology, Gary. A little resistor heats up and
boils/shoots the ink onto the paper. Bubble Jet is Canon's name for it.
-Alan
Gary:
Re: Bright Faces. I put that project out several weeks ago hoping I would
never have to look at it again. I jumped through more hoops to do the
impossible and got squat for it. Since it left a bad taste in my mouth I have
not revisited the files for my promised attempt to figure out what happened to
those annoying faces.
Re: 650C If you could give me the 3D Artist issue # I'll try to hunt it down.
Thanks.
Bob
Hi there…
Sorry to hear about the lack of happiness on that project. Regarding
plotting from 3DS to the HP-650, it's in 3D Artist #13, under 3D Studio How-to,
by Cliff Cote, titled "3D Studio Plot".
The article describes how to configure the AutoCAD driver to plot from
3DS, as color "HPRTL" files.
Hopefully this will be of help to you, regards,
Gary
I have never tried printing from 3ds, but it comes with windows and autocad
drivers. We use Autocad, and plot all our cad files from there and from one of
our IBM workstations (no, it doesn't come with drivers for RS6000 machines, we
make plot files and send them from the DOS command line). Most all of my raster
stuff is done from windows.
The dealer you spoke to was wrong, it does do raster output, and does it quite
well. And quite fast, too. If you want me to send samples, talk to me after the
following week. I am flying to Boston to teach a training seminar for the USFS
and will be gone all week.
Robert,
I've printed some very nice 3DS generated raster images on the 650c out of
Windows programs, although the largest I've done is about 18"x24". We don't
have one in the office, but I did get to play with one for a few days; it does
work.
John
Call 1-800-825-4115 and ask about our RenderPrint software for the HP
DJ650c. Full 'E' size printing without adding any extra memory to
the 650c or without adding PostScript. Supports GIF, TGA, TIF, JPEG,
BMP, and PCX as well as Acad ADI direct printing.
Thanks for the info on your RenderPrint software for the HP 650C.