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Using plotters

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Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

Using plotters

The following are some considerations when printing to a plotter:

  • In this version of Windows, 7-bit serial connections to plotters are not supported, so you must use 8-bit connections.

  • If you notice that some lines are not printing on a pen plotter, try setting the plotter's control panel so that installed pens are set at the minimum width supported by the hardware. Be aware, however, that some plotters will not print thin lines unless the thinnest pen is selected.

  • Pen plotters can take longer to clear their buffers than other plotters, so you may want to increase the port time-out setting to avoid receiving error messages.

  • Windows plotter printer driver for most HP DesignJet series plotters are designed for use with margins set to Normal, paper size set to Software, and autorotation set to Off. When troubleshooting problems, reset the plotter to the factory defaults and then change only the necessary settings.

  • All plotters supported by this version of Windows use the HP-GL/2 language. Some plotters supported by Windows can be set to receive a choice of plotter languages; however, to work with Windows, HP-GL/2 must be selected. (This version of Windows does not support the HPGL language.)

  • When printing to plotter models that offer a choice of roll or sheet media, the form to tray assignment must be set to the actual paper size available to the plotter. Since selecting a media size or type not featured on the plotter is not supported, doing so may result in misaligned output.