Big Plotter

The Big Plotter is a HP DesignJet Z6100ps model and is located in the Magellan Design Studio. This plotter allows for plots up to 60 inches wide.

General Notes

• If the image is turned 90 degrees on the canvas in the print preview, you have to switch the height and width values to correct the problem. All other settings should stay the same.
• If you experience problems with any of the programs listed below, consider converting your file to a universal format like a PDF document or JPEG image file to plot. See our instructions to convert a file to JPEG.

Plotting with Photoshop:

1. Choose Image > Image Size and change the image size as desired (in inches)
2. Choose File > Print.
3. Select \\labprinters\big_plotter in the name dialog box.
4. Click on Page Setup.
5. Choose the Advanced tab. Expand Paper/Output.
6. Select Paper Size, then select PostScript Custom Page Size. Type your custom measurements.
   NOTE: If your image will be 60" or less, set the Width value as the longer edge of your image. Otherwise, set the Height as the longer dimension. Set the width and height values to 0.5" greater than the document size, to ensure that clipping or scale reduction does not occur. (For example, if your document is 30" x 10", make the width 30.5" and the height 10.5".)
7. Set the Paper Feed Direction to "Long Edge First" if the width is larger than the height. Set the Paper Feed Direction to "Short Edge First" if the width is smaller than the height. Notice that the dimensions are displayed next to the Width and Height, e.g., (2.78, 60.00) (2.78.129.00). Click OK.
   NOTE: If you receive a Custom Page Size Error, click OK to automatically resolve this issue. Also, if you receive a Feature Tip box referring to a conflict with Standard Margins, click OK to resolve the issue.
8. Select the Features tab. Select "% of actual size" and set to 100%.
9. Select the Paper/Quality tab. Set the Orientation to "portrait" or "landscape" and set the Print Quality as desired, then click OK three times.
10. To ensure that scale reduction does not occur, check "Scale to fit media". (If the scale drops below 100%, the width and/or height need to be increased. See step 6 for instructions.) Before printing, uncheck "Scale to fit media" and ensure that scale is set to 100%.
11. When ready, choose Print.
12. \\labprinters\big_plotter should be selected in the Name box. Click OK.

Plotting with MS PowerPoint 2010

1. Select File > Print (or press Ctrl+p).
2. Select \\labprinters\big_plotter from the drop down menu under the printer heading.
3. Select Printer Properties.
4. In the window that pops up, select the Advanced tab.
5. Under Paper Size, select Postscript Custom Page Size.
6. Enter the height and width values as desired.
7. Change Paper Feed Direction to Long Edge First, and select OK.
8. Select the Printing Shortcuts tab. Make sure Orientation is set to Landscape, and make sure the quality slider is where you would like it to be positioned. (This does not change the cost of the plot.
9. Select the Features tab. Select % of Actual Size and set it to 100%.
10. Select OK, and check the preview in PowerPoint to make sure it is correctly sized and the alignment looks satisfactory.
11. Select the big print button to complete the job and send it to the plotter.

Plotting with Adobe Reader

1. Choose File > Print. In the printer name drop down box choose \\labprinters\big_plotter.
2. Select Properties for the plotter.
3. Choose the Advanced tab. Expand Paper/Output.
4. Select Paper Size, then select PostScript Custom Page Size. Type your custom measurements.
   NOTE: If your image will be 60" or less, set the Width value as the longer edge of your image. Otherwise, set the Height as the longer dimension. Set the width and height values to 0.5" greater than the document size, to ensure that clipping or scale reduction does not occur. (For example, if your document is 30" x 10", make the width 30.5" and the height 10.5".)
   NOTE: If you need to find the document dimensions, go to File -> Properties. This procedure requires you to close all print setup windows.
5. Set the Paper Feed Direction to "Long Edge First" if the width is larger than the height. Set the Paper Feed Direction to "Short Edge First" if the width is smaller than the height. Notice that the dimensions are displayed next to the Width and Height, e.g., (2.78, 60.00) (2.78.129.00). Click OK twice.
   NOTE: If you receive a Custom Page Size Error, click OK to automatically resolve this issue. Also, if you receive a Feature Tip box referring to a conflict with Standard Margins, click OK to resolve the issue.
6. Select the Features tab. Select "% of actual size" and set to 100%.
7. Select the Paper/Quality tab. Set the Orientation to "portrait" or "landscape" and set the Print Quality as desired. Click OK.
8. Under Page Scaling, select Shrink to Printable Area. Ensure that the Zoom in the lower right hand corner of this box is set to 100%. If not, go back to step 5 and increase the width and/or height.
9. \\labprinters\big_plotter should be selected in the Name box. Click OK.

Plotting with AutoCAD 2010

1. Select the A in the top left corner of AutoCAD 2010. Select Print > Page Setup.
2. Select New.... Type in a convenient name (e.g. JohnDoe1) in the New Page Setup Name Box. Click OK.
3. From the Printer/plotter drop box, select \\labprinters\big_plotter. Select Properties.
4. Select the Device and Document Settings tab, and then select Custom Properties under Graphics. Select the Custom Properties button that appears near the bottom.
5. Select the Advanced tab. Expand Paper/Output.
6. Select Paper Size, and then select PostScript Custom Page Size.
7. In the box that pops up, under Custom Page Size Definition, choose the desired Width and Height. Select Long Edge first only if the longer edge is less than 60". Click OK. 
   NOTE: If you receive a Custom Page Size Error, click OK to automatically resolve this issue. Also, if you receive a Feature Tip box referring to a conflict with Standard Margins, click OK to resolve the issue.
8. Select the Paper/Quality tab. Change Print Quality as desired. Click OK.
9. On the "Document Properties" box, click OK. On the "Plotter Configuration Editor" box, click OK. On the "Changes to a Printer Configuration File" box, click OK. (This will create a profile ending in big_plotter.pc3.) On the "Page Setup" box, click OK.
10. Click Close on the "Page Setup Manager" box.
11. Select the A in the top left corner of AutoCAD 2010. Select Print > Plot...
12. On top under Page Setup, select the profile you just made (e.g. JohnDoe1). Under Printer/plotter in the name box, the configuration file name will be there (e.g. Little_plotter.pc3).
13. Under "Paper Size", select PostScript Custom Page Size at the top of the list.
14. Under "What to Plot", choose the desired selection.
15. Select the Preview button in the bottom left. If the preview looks good, select the Plot icon just under the "A" in the top left.