CREATING PLOT FILES IN AUTOCAD

After your drawing is finished, zoom to extents ( type zoom [enter], extents [enter]) at the command line. Next pull down the file menu and select "Print", the screen below will appear.

1. Click on Device and Default Selection

2. Select the HP DesignJet 650C from the list of available plotters. (If this plotter is not shown Type "Config" at the command line, click the "New" button and select HPGL/2 devices from the list. Next select HP DesignJet 650C from the list of available plotters. Select the default from the rest of the questions.)

3. To load a PCP file, click the "Merge' box, find your PCP file, click OK.

4. Next you must select your sheet size. Click the "Size" box and select the sheet size for your drawing. Make sure your drawing limits do not exceed the sheet size selected. Allow about 10mm on all sides. Click "OK".

5. Next pick the parameters you need to plot, display, extents, limits, view or window.

6. Under "Scale Rotation and Origin" set the scale of your drawing. Run a "full" preview to verify that the drawing scale is correct and that the drawing fits the page. (Partial preview pictured)

7. Click the "Pen Assignments" button to specify pen settings. Assign a pen no., linetype and pen width for every pen used in your drawing. Under "pen no". select color 7 for solid lines and select color 8 for screened lines. (for lighter screens select colors 251 or 252) If you've loaded a PCP in Step #3, check to see if the pens are correct. Click "Ok".

8. Located in the "Additional Parameters" section, make sure you have the "Plot to File" box checked. Next, click on the "File Name" button, name your file and choose a location on your hard drive where you'd like to save the file. Click "OK". This will bring you back to the screen below. Finally, Click "Ok", and you have successfully created a plot file.