Preferences: Plotting

Preferences allow the user to select preferred settings for working in Pattern Design. Settings made in Plotter Preferences determine: which parameter tables are used, whether or not the plot form is used, which sizes will plot, the current plotter, cut parameters, and other details. When using the Plot Form, these plotter settings are referenced.

To Set Plotter Preferences:

1. From the View menu, select Preferences/Options then click on the Plot tab.

2. The Plotter Preferences window will display. Make any necessary changes to the following fields:

• Piece Plot Parameter Table – determines which parameter table will be used for plotting. Select the name of the desired Piece Plot Parameter table from the drop-down menu.

• Annotation Table – controls which Annotation table will be used for plotting. Select the name of the desired Annotation table from the drop-down menu.

• Plot Form – controls how pieces will be placed on the plotter paper. Check to display the Plotter Window for manual placement of pieces; uncheck to allow the system to automatically place pieces according to the stacking setting. If using the Plot Form, see plotting instructions under “To Plot Using the Plot Form”.

• Stacking – tells the plotter how to plot multiple pieces if the Plot Form is not used. If YES is chosen, multiple pieces will plot across the paper before the paper advances. If NO is chosen, the paper will advance after each piece is plotted. If ABS is chosen, the pieces will plot according to the layout in the work area.

• Plot Grade Sizes to Use – determines which sizes should be plotted. Choose DISPLAY to plot the size displayed in the work area; choose PARAMETER TABLE to plot the size(s) indicated in the Piece Plot Parameter table.

• Character Size – controls the height of the letters on the plotted piece. This setting is also the default used for the Annotate Piece function. This measurement is typed in.

• Piece Separation – controls the amount of space between plotted pieces when stacking is set to YES. This measurement is typed in.

• Plotter Address – determines which plotter the pieces will be sent to. Choose LOCAL if the plotter is connected to the work station. Other plotter names (the names will vary) can be chosen if plotting on a network. DOS FILE can be selected if a file is to be generated. See the Generating Plot Files section at the end of this chapter for complete instructions.

• Plot Group as Single Output (HPGL/DOS File Only) – if DOS FILE was selected in Plotter Address, this setting will control how multiple pieces are sent to the file. If checked, multiple pieces will generate one file. If unchecked, each piece that was selected will be a separate file.

• Plotter Type There – lists the plotter type at the location defined by Plotter Address. Not editable.

• Cut Parameter Overrides For That Plotter – if the plotter being used is equipped with a knife, the following settings can be changed to determine how the knife will be used:

• Cut Line Length – determines the distance to be cut for perforated lines. Type in the desired measurement.

• Tab Line Length – determines the distance between cuts on perforated lines. Type in the desired measurement.

• Cut Force – controls the blade pressure to be used in cutting perforated lines. Type in the desired percentage (0-100).

• Tab Force – controls the blade pressure to be used between cuts on perforated lines. Type in the desired percentage (0-100). 0 is recommended for the SP-150 model plotters.

• Plot Model/Style Name – determines if the model or style name is included with the piece annotation. If checked, the model or style name is automatically plotted.

• Plot Piece Message– determines if the piece message of a MicroMark piece is included in the piece annotation. If checked, the piece message is automatically plotted.

3. When finished, select Save to keep the settings. Select OK to close the window