Fellow Plot'ers: Bob gave an excellent step-by-step to get a plot from a CAD program. I too use the 7585A and for those who like me need the picture in addition to the plot, I add:
A combination of events lead to this method; Microsoft no longer included the hpgl filter, my CAD program no longer supported any but hpgl and an old plotter at that. And last but not least the continuing need to use the CAD picture in MS programs. ...as Bob said; you're running '98 and have created the plot file. -For later versions of the Microsoft programs (32bit), get the hpgl32.exe file and load the translator into '98. This lets you insert an *.hgl or *.plt file into MS programs. -I rename the plot file extension to hgl or plt. I do this because of habit, some of the other extensions work also. -In PowerPnt I, insert-picture-from file. -Windows maintains this as a vector file (also pointed out by another email response). One benefit of the vector file is that it is smaller than say bitmap. -A very useful capability that this brings is that in Powerpnt you can change the line and background colors, and also the properties. -You can also convert it to the PowerPnt format which gives you the capability to tinker with each 'vector'. A comment. I think that this sort of exchange is good, if Mr. Gates will no longer be able to have a monoploy then, we'll being doing a lot more of this. Steve I. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> At 09:11 PM 4/4/00 -0400, Robert Terwilliger wrote: >Hi All, > >Here is a way to produce .prn plotter files directly from DeltaCad, or >any CAD Program. > >These directions are for Windows98, but they should adapt to other >Windows versions. > >Go to Control Panel | Printers. > >Select "Add Printer", and follow the Wizard to install a "Local >Printer". > >>From the list of Manufacturers: select "HP" (Hewlett Packard) > >>From the list of Printers: select 7585A (It's a plotter). > >Click "Next", and under "Available Ports" select "File". > >Click "Next" - You may need your Win98 CDROM. > >If you opted to print a test page, type "afilename.prn" in the dialog. > >"afilename.prn" should appear in the folder you selected. There isn't >much you can do with it unless you have a plotter. > >--------------- > >If all has gone well the 7585A plotter should appear in your pick list >of installed printers, and any files sent to the 7585A plotter will >actually be sent to disk as a .prn file. (You must include the >extension.) > >The 7585A will accept paper sizes up to 34x44 inches. I would get >together with whoever is going to plot your drawing to find out about >scale etc. They may suggest you install a different plotter to >correspond to whatever they use. > >I hope this helps, > >Bob > >
