topic Re: Issues plotting consistently between two systems in AutoCAD LT Forum

Issues plotting consistently between two systems

Anonymous — Mon, 18 May 2015 08:36:36 GMT

I'm experiencing a problem whereby one system seems to be plotting lineweights thicker than my system and another I've tested. I've exported the Plotter I'm using as a .PC3 and copied it into their Plotters directory, and copied my CTB from my Plot Style directory into theirs and chose both in the Plot dialog. This seems to be an issue independent of individual DWGs, and I've repeated the same steps on another system without trouble

I know my system, and the system I had success with, are Windows 8.1 wheras the system I'm having problems with is Windows 7. Could this impact my ability to plot using the same PC3/CTB files? Also worth mentioning, is that the problem machine has shown incorrect line colours with the Plot Preview (but plotted fine).

Any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Re: Issues plotting consistently between two systems

pendean — Mon, 18 May 2015 12:47:41 GMT

What are you plotting to?
"pc3" file is not informative enough: Win8 drivers are most likely different from the Win7 drivers that PC3 file is aiming for, you both may probably need separate plot style tables.

Re: Issues plotting consistently between two systems

Anonymous — Mon, 18 May 2015 14:22:14 GMT

I'm fairly certain both are using the second one down, although I could uninstall/reinstall on the problem machine to make sure?

Re: Issues plotting consistently between two systems

pendean — Mon, 18 May 2015 17:52:07 GMT

I'm not familiar with that product but in my experience, from other vendors, the change in Windows OS can easily trigger a change in driver output.

FWIW PC3 files are just 'pointer' files, they do not alter the behavior of a system driver and often do not neutralize any changes made by the manufacturer.

First, ensure both PCs are indeed using the one single Plot Style Table file (is that an STB or CTB?), then as a test, PLOT directly to the Windows Driver from each PC (no PC3 file in use) and see if you can still replicate the variation.
For a second test, do the same as above but instead of using your plot style table use the default MONOCHROME.CTB plot style table from Autodesk and see if you observe any differences.

Re: Issues plotting consistently between two systems

Anonymous — Tue, 26 May 2015 12:47:52 GMT

Thanks for the help. I managed to fix it by uninstalling the driver and reinstalling it - I must have been wrong to assume they were using the same driver (but they are now!). Thanks again.