Set Up Plotters and Printers

To open the Autodesk Plotter Manager

You can also use any of the following methods to open the Autodesk Plotter Manager:

• From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
• At the Command prompt, enter plottermanager.
• From the Application menu , click Options. On the Plot and Publish tab, click Add or Configure Plotters.

To create a PC3 file for a Windows system printer

1. Open the Autodesk Plotter Manager.
2. In the Autodesk Plotter Manager, double-click the Add-a-Plotter Wizard shortcut icon.
3. In the Add-a-Plotter wizard, read the Introduction, and then choose Next to advance to the Add Plotter - Begin page.
4. On the Add Plotter - Begin page, choose System Printer. Choose Next.
5. On the Add Plotter - System Printer page, select the system printer that you want to configure.

   The list includes all printers known to the operating system. If you want to connect to a printer that is not in the list, you must first add the printer using the Windows Add Printer wizard in the Control Panel.

   (Optional) The Import PCP or PC2 screen enables you to use configuration information from a PCP or PC2 file created with an earlier version of AutoCAD.

6. On the Add Plotter - Plotter Name page, enter a name to identify the currently configured plotter. Choose Next.
7. When you reach the Add Plotter - Finish page, you can choose Finish to exit the Add-a-Plotter wizard.

   A PC3 file for the newly configured plotter appears in the Plotters window and the plotter is available for plotting in the list of devices.

   At this time, you can change the default settings for the plotter by choosing Edit Plotter Configuration on the Add Plotter - Finish page. You can also perform a plot calibration test on your newly configured plotter by choosing Calibrate Plotter on the Add Plotter - Finish page.

To configure a local, nonsystem plotter

1. Open the Autodesk Plotter Manager.
2. In the Autodesk Plotter Manager, double-click the Add-a-Plotter Wizard shortcut.
3. In the Add-a-Plotter wizard, read the Introduction, and then choose Next to advance to the Add Plotter - Begin page.
4. On the Add Plotter - Begin page, choose My Computer. Choose Next.
5. On the Add Plotter - Plotter Model page, select a manufacturer and model. Choose Next.

   If you are configuring a PostScript device, select Adobe from the Manufacturers list.

   If your plotter is not in the list of available plotters, and you have a driver disk for your plotter, choose Have Disk to locate the HIF file on that driver disk, and install the driver supplied with your plotter.

   (Optional) The Import PCP or PC2 screen enables you to use configuration information from a PCP or PC2 file created with an earlier version of AutoCAD.

6. On the Add Plotter - Ports page, select the port to use when plotting. Choose Next. The ports available for the specified device are displayed.
7. On the Add Plotter - Plotter Name page, enter a name to identify the currently configured plotter. Choose Next.
8. When you reach the Add Plotter - Finish page, you can choose Finish to exit the Add-a-Plotter wizard.

   A PC3 file for the newly configured plotter appears in the Plotters window, and the plotter is available for plotting in the list of devices.

   At this time, you can change the default settings for the plotter by choosing Edit Plotter Configuration on the Add Plotter - Finish page. You can also perform a plot calibration test on your newly configured plotter by choosing Calibrate Plotter on the Add Plotter - Finish page.

To configure a network, nonsystem plotter

1. Open the Autodesk Plotter Manager.
2. Double-click the Add-a-Plotter Wizard shortcut icon.
3. In the Add-a-Plotter wizard, read the Introduction, and then choose Next to advance to the Add Plotter - Begin page.
4. On the Add Plotter - Begin page, choose Network Plotter Server. Choose Next.
5. On the Add Plotter - Network Plotter page, enter the share name of the network plotter server that you want to use.

   The server must already exist on the network. For more information, see your system administrator.

   You must use the universal naming convention (UNC). The correct format of a UNC path is \\server name\share name. You can select an existing share name on your network by choosing Browse.

6. On the Add Plotter - Plotter Model page, select a manufacturer and model. Choose Next.

   If you are configuring a PostScript device, select Adobe from the Manufacturers list.

   If your plotter isn't in the list of available plotters and you have a driver disk for your plotter, choose Have Disk to locate the HIF file on that driver disk, and install the driver supplied with your plotter.

   (Optional) The Import PCP or PC2 screen enables you to use configuration information from a PCP or PC2 file created with an earlier version of AutoCAD.

7. On the Add Plotter - Plotter Name page, enter a name to identify the currently configured plotter. Choose Next.
8. When you reach the Add Plotter - Finish page, you can choose Finish to exit the Add-a-Plotter wizard.

   A PC3 file for the newly configured plotter appears in the Plotters window and the plotter is available for plotting in the list of devices.

   At this time, you can change the default settings for the plotter by choosing Edit Plotter Configuration on the Add Plotter - Finish page. You can also perform a plot calibration test on your newly configured plotter by choosing Calibrate Plotter on the Add Plotter - Finish page.