printing plans

[cyberbipe]

I just bought a HP Draft Pro line plotter for $100.00
I need some type of software to print the RCMicroflight plans to the plotter. It doesnt seem to be able to read the tiffs I downloaded. Do I need to convert them to a different format to Plot them? What software or shareware would enable me to print the plans on the plotter. The plotter works great it is not the problem. I am a pc user with Win98

egar to plot:confused:

[phuffstatler]

Having done some searching on www.hp.com, it doesn't seem that they support that plotter anymore.... At least no drivers are avaliable for download. I do know that most CAD systems had the drivers supplied with them, and that may be why I couldn't find them.

You might want to search for someone that still has one, and see if they can send you some drivers for Win98, if indeed they exist.


You can always write your own, too...

:D


phil in austin

[CDNshy_guy]

Try this

http://productfinder.support.hp.com/tps/ProductFinder?h_tool=prodhomes%2Csoftware&h_query=Draft+Pro+line+plotter+&Submit.x=9&Submit.y=11



Norm C

[phuffstatler]

Yep, that's the place. If you bother to click on most of those plotter links for Drivers and Downloads you'll see that none are available.

Perhaps he can find an older version of Corel or Autocad or ? to print those out.

[cyberbipe]

Thanks for your help Norm and Phil. Windows 98 has a driver for the Draft Pro in it and it works great. I can plot text from word pad no problem. When I try to print one of the plans from RCMicroflight nothing happens. Do you think I need to have autocad or some other software to print them to the plotter?:confused:
Thanks again for your help!
Michael in Sunny Florida

[GHMBO]

I also have a DraftPro in D size,and use the driver in Win98 for HP 7575A. I use mine with TurboCAD and it works great. The going price must be $100 - that is what mine cost. It came with lots of pens and paper.

In the past, there was a thread asking Air Age to publish the monthly plans in DXF format. A bunch ask for it, but apparently the publishing proceedures will not allow it. I suspect that will change in time as more modelers learn CAD.

Just for the heck of it, when you draw something that you want to share, send it to Joe at
http://maryjo3.freeyellow.com/index.html
and he may put it up on his site. I have posted several in the "Electric" section.

Good CAD'n - Jim

[CDNshy_guy]

There are a few cad options.
Unless you plan to edit them just look for a cheap viewer/printer.
like adobe does for their pdf readers.
Sure wish I could find a cheap plotter printer. It would save me hours of cut and paste time.

Cheers
Norm

[phuffstatler]

Boy, I heard that CDNshy_guy! I also don't have the room for such a beast in my computer room/library either. Back when I used to repair those things, I used to watch them forever as they drew a line here, a circle there, really bouncing all over to complete the drawing. Mesmerizing, to say the least....


phil in austin

[GHMBO]

A good place to check for used pen plotters is your local engineering supply stores and online auctions. Pen plotters have been replaced by inkjet types that are essentially large printers and can process most graphic files, as a result the pen guys have been traded in and a lot are in storage and gethering dust.

Mine is "D" size that give me a 19.4x31.3 print area. For park size airplane drawings, I have to draw more than one sheet. My latest scale drawing took 4 sheets. An "E" size would be nice. However, it sure beats the "scale up wide lines"and sheet tapeing.

On the previously mentioned site, Joe, has a good discussion on CAD and model drawings.
Jim