Calibrate Plotters and Work with Custom Paper Sizes

To calibrate a plotter

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration (PC3) file of the device you want to calibrate.
3. In the Plotter Configuration Editor, choose the Device and Document Settings tab.
4. In the Paper Size list, select a paper size for the test plot. Choose Next.
5. On the Calibrate Plotter - Rectangle Size page, in the Units list, select the measurement units.
6. In the Length and Width boxes, enter the dimensions of the test rectangle. Choose Next. AutoCAD plots the test rectangle.
7. Retrieve the plot and measure the test rectangle. On the Calibrate Plotter - Measured Plot page, in the Measured Length and Measured Width boxes, enter the actual dimensions of the plotted test rectangle. Choose Next.

   AutoCAD compares the actual plotted measurements to the size you specified in the preceding screen and computes the correction needed to accurately calibrate the plotter.

8. On the Calibrate Plotter - File name page, enter a file name. Choose Next.

   The resulting PMP file is stored in the AutoCAD Drv folder.

9. On the Calibrate Plotter - Finish page, choose Check Calibration.

   AutoCAD plots the text rectangle again. Measure the sides again to verify that the calibration is correct.

10. Choose OK to close the Plotter Configuration Editor.

To attach a PMP file to a PC3 file

After you create a PMP file, that file is attached to the PC3 file from which you started the Calibrate Plotter wizard. You can attach an existing PMP file to a different PC3 file using the Plotter Configuration Editor.

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration to which you want to attach a PMP file.
3. On the Device and Document Settings tab, from User-Defined Paper Sizes & Calibration, select PMP File Name <file name>.

   If this PC3 file doesn't have an attached PMP file, the PMP File Name setting doesn't show an attached file. Choose Attach.

4. Locate the PMP file you want to attach to this PC3 file and choose Open.
5. Choose OK to close the Plotter Configuration Editor.

   The PMP File Name setting is updated.

To detach a PMP file from a PC3 file

After you create a PMP file, that file is attached to the PC3 file from which you started the Calibrate Plotter wizard. You can detach a PMP from a PC3 file using the Plotter Configuration Editor.

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration from which you want to detach a PMP file.
3. On the Device and Document Settings tab, select User-defined Paper Sizes & Calibration and then select the PMP File Name <file name>.
4. Choose Detach. (If this PC3 file doesn't have an attached PMP file, the Detach option is unavailable.)
5. Choose OK to close the Plotter Configuration Editor.

To save a PMP file to a new file name

After you create a PMP file, that file is attached to the PC3 file from which you started the Calibrate Plotter wizard. You can save the PMP file with a new file name using the Plotter Configuration Editor.

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration from which you want to save a PMP file.
3. In the Plotter Configuration Editor, choose the Device and Document Settings tab.
4. Double-click User-Defined Paper Sizes & Calibration to display the calibration and paper size options.
5. Under PMP File, choose Save PMP.
6. In the Save As dialog box, enter a new file name for the PMP file that's attached to the PC3 file you're editing.
7. Choose Save.

   The new file name is displayed in angle brackets beside the PMP File Name option in the tree view.

8. Choose OK to close the Plotter Configuration Editor.

To add a new custom paper size from scratch (nonsystem HDI drivers only)

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration you want to modify.
3. In the Plotter Configuration Editor, choose the Device and Document Settings tab.
4. Double-click User-Defined Paper Sizes & Calibration to display the calibration and paper size options. Then select Custom Paper Sizes.
5. Under Custom Paper Sizes, choose Add.
6. In the Custom Paper Size Wizard, on the Begin page, select Start from Scratch. Choose Next.
7. On the Media Bounds page, in the Units list, select either Inches or Millimeters for paper size.

   When you plot a non-dimensional raster image, such as BMP or TIFF, the size of the plot is specified in pixels, not inches or millimeters.

8. From the Width and Length lists, select the paper width and length. Choose Next.

   Each plotter has a maximum printable area determined by where it grips the paper and how far the pen shuttle reaches. Verify that the plotter is capable of plotting the new dimensions.

9. On the Printable Area page, in the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right boxes, specify the printable area. Choose Next.
10. On the Paper Size Name page, enter a name for the paper size. Choose Next.
11. On the File Name page, enter a name for the PMP file.
12. On the Finish page, specify whether the paper source is Sheet-Fed or Roll-Fed. Choose Print Test Page to verify the custom size.

    AutoCAD prints a cross that defines the paper size and a rectangle that defines the printable area. If all four sides of the rectangle are not printed, increase the printable area.

13. Choose Finish to exit the Custom Paper Size wizard.

To add a new custom paper size from scratch (system printers only)

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration you want to modify.
3. In the Plotter Configuration Editor, choose the Device and Document Settings tab.
4. Select Custom Properties.
5. Choose Custom Properties in the Access Custom Dialog area.

   The device driver-specific user interface opens.

6. Follow the manufacturer's instructions to add a custom paper size.

   You may need to choose the Help button for more information.

To add a new custom paper size starting from an existing paper size

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration you want to modify.
3. In the Plotter Configuration Editor, choose the Device and Document Settings tab.
4. Double-click User-Defined Paper Sizes & Calibration to display the calibration and paper size options. Then select Custom Paper Sizes.
5. Under Custom Paper Sizes, choose Add.
6. In the Custom Paper Size wizard, on the Begin page, select Use Existing.
7. From the list of existing standard paper sizes, select a paper size on which to base the custom paper size you are creating.
8. On the Media Bounds page, select either Inches or Millimeters for paper size and specify the paper width and length. Choose Next.

   Each plotter has a maximum printable area determined by where it grips the paper and how far the pen shuttle reaches. Verify that the plotter is capable of plotting the new dimensions.

9. On the Printable Area page, in the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right boxes, specify the printable area. Choose Next.
10. On the Paper Size Name page, enter a name for the paper size. Choose Next.
11. On the File Name page, enter a name for the PMP file.
12. On the Finish page, specify whether the paper source is Sheet-Fed or Roll-Fed. Choose Print Test Page to verify the custom size.

    AutoCAD prints a cross that defines the paper size and a rectangle that defines the printable area. If all four sides of the rectangle are not printed, increase the printable area.

13. Choose Finish to exit the Custom Paper Size wizard.

To edit a custom paper size

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration you want to modify.
3. In the Plotter Configuration Editor, choose the Device and Document Settings tab.
4. Double-click User-Defined Paper Sizes & Calibration to display the calibration and paper size settings.
5. Select Custom Paper Sizes.
6. Under Custom Paper Sizes, select a paper size from the list. Choose Edit.
7. In the Custom Paper Size wizard, make changes to the paper size, printable area, custom paper size name, and source.
8. Choose Finish to exit the Custom Paper Size wizard.
9. Choose OK.

To delete a custom paper size

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration you want to modify.
3. In the Plotter Configuration Editor, choose the Device and Document Settings tab.
4. Double-click User-Defined Paper Sizes & Calibration to display the calibration and paper size settings.
5. Select Custom Paper Sizes.
6. Under Custom Paper Sizes, select a paper size from the list.
7. Choose Delete.
8. Choose OK.

To modify a standard paper size

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration you want to modify.
3. In the Plotter Configuration Editor, choose the Device and Document Settings tab.
4. Double-click User-Defined Paper Sizes & Calibration to display the calibration and paper size settings.
5. Select Modify Standard Paper Sizes.
6. Under Modify Standard Paper Sizes, select the paper size you want to adjust. Then choose Modify.
7. In the Custom Paper Size wizard, adjust the printable area as necessary. Then choose Finish to exit the Custom Paper Size wizard.

To filter paper sizes

1. From the Application menu , click Print Manage Plotters.
2. Double-click the plotter configuration you want to modify.
3. In the Plotter Configuration Editor, choose the Device and Document Settings tab.
4. Double-click User-Defined Paper Sizes & Calibration to display the calibration and paper size settings.
5. Select Filter Paper Sizes.
6. In the Size list in the Filter Paper Sizes area, check the paper sizes you want to appear in the Paper Size lists in the Plot and Page Setup dialog boxes.