Outputs > Plotting Documents > Plotting on Large Sheets

Plotting large paper size sheets

MechworksPDM supports a special format for the LST\SHEET_FORMAT.LST file (the SHEET_FORMAT word is to be localized for foreign languages) when plotting large formats. The file, besides the simple list of formats for the plot setup table, can now contain lines of the type:

@<paper format>=<code>

A sample of this new type of SHEET_FORMAT.LST file is the following:

A4
A4 vert.
A3
A2
A1
A0
A
B
C
D
E
@A4 vert.=141
@A3=142
@A2=143
@A1=144
@A0=145

At the end of the file, the lines beginning with the @ character define codes specific for the printer device driver to be used when plotting such formats.

The next step now is to know what are the codes to use in this file.

How to get the printer specific paper codes

There are basically two ways: use the bin\printerinfo.exe utility or the executable bin\DBWGDPPS.EXE.

Generally speaking both tools are working correctly, but the tool printerinfo.exe is probably easier to use so we advice to use that one.

Details on the use of the tool printerinfo.exe are in the related topic.

Using the tool DBWGDPPS.EXE to create the codes

As an example, suppose we want to know the code of format A1 for the "Hewlett-Packard HP-GL/2 Plotter" printer driver.

For this purpose, a new console utility is now available with MechworksPDM: the DBWGDPPS.EXE program, located in the BIN subdir.

The steps needed are:

· make the "Hewlett-Packard HP-GL/2 Plotter" the default printer

· go in the Windows Start->Setting->Printers, right-click on the "Hewlett-Packard HP-GL/2 Plotter" and select "Properties"

· Set the default paper size of the printer to "ISO A1 594 x 841 mm"

· Confirm and exit the properties

Your default printer is now "Hewlett-Packard HP-GL/2 Plotter" and has a default paper size equal to the one you want to query now.

Open MS-DOS console and CD (change directory) to the C:\program files\dbworks\bin directory (or where you have installed MechworksPDM).

From the MS-DOS console, run the utility DBWGDPPS; the utility displays this message:

DBWGDPPS (C)2001 MechWorks

Current default printer paper size code: 144

Put the code in the LST\SHEET_FORMAT.LST creating new lines like the followings:

@A0=145
@A1=144
@A2=143

So, the code corresponding to the "ISO A1 594 x 841 mm" chosen in the printer properties is 144.

You must edit ina text editor the file LST\SHEET_FORMAT.LST file and add an entry for the A1 size:

A4
A4 vert.
A3
A2
A1
A0
A
B
C
D
E
; code corresponding to ISO A1 594 x 841 in Hewlett-Packard HP-GL/2 Plotter
@A1=144

As you can see it in the example, you can also add comment lines starting with a semi-column (;).

Save the file and repeat the above for all the formats.

Fit to page

It is possible to assign a printer specific Fit to page parameter by inserting in the printer specific SHEET_FORMAT(<printer name>).LST definition files the parameter:

@FIT_TO_PAGE=<paper format>

Example:

SHEET_FORMAT(hp_officejet_g_series).LST
.
@FIT_TO_PAGE=A4 vert.

For more infos about the printer specific SHEET_FORMAT(…).LST parameters file, please read the paragraph Use Drawing Sheet Format -> Sheet formats dependent from the printer name in the Plot Setup topic of the MechworksPDM Help file.

How to set the Plot Setup options

When using a SHEET_FORMAT.LST modified in the above way, you must be sure that, in the Plot Setup dialog:

· Sheet/Device association list: all the SCALE values must be set to 1.0

· [ ] Fit to page: unchecked