To Work With Plot Files

 
 
 

You can use any plotter configuration to create plot files that can be used with spooling software or given to a service bureau for output.

Create a Plot (PLT) File

  1. Click Output tabPlot panelPlot.
  2. In the Plot dialog box, under Printer/Plotter, in the Name box, select a plotter configuration.
    NOTE: You must use the correct plotter configuration for the output device in order to produce a valid PLT file.
  3. If the Plot to File option is available and is not selected, select it.
  4. Select plot settings for the plot file as needed.
  5. Click OK.
  6. In the Browse for Plot File dialog box, select a location and enter a file name for the plot file.
  7. Click Save.

Create a Batch File for Plot Spooling

Plot files are meant to be used with spooling software or to be given to a service bureau for output. A simple batch file can be used to output PLT files.

  1. Open a text editor and save a batch file to a folder where you save your PLT files.
  2. Name the batch file something like MySpooler.bat.
  3. Add a single line to the batch file that reads:

    copy%1 \\server\printer

    The%1 is a parameter that the batch file will replace with the name of the .plt file being sent to the output device.

    TIP: If the output device is connected directly to the computer, you can substitute the print server path with the printer port, such as LPT1.
  4. Save the batch file and close the text editor.

Plot a PLT File from a Batch File

  1. Open a Command Prompt window and change directories to the folder containing your PLT file and the spooling batch file from the previous procedure.
  2. At the command prompt, enter the following:

    MySpooler.bat MyDrawing.plt

    where MySpooler.bat is the name of the batch file you created and MyDrawing.plt is the name of the plot file.

The PLT file is copied to the output device and the drawing is created.