PLOTTER PROBLEMS - NOT USING PAGE SETUP

[r.conner]

I use 3 basic size borders, b,c,d.  11X17, 18X22, 22X34.

I do not use page setup and never have.  I am using acad lt 2021 (clean install) and an HP-T520

I had all the settings in windows setup so when I picked the paper size in autocad it set the orientation of the paper correctly, Now when i print I have to go in to properties> custom properties> Paper/quality and pick the document size, then click on the layout/output tab and pick the orientation (landscape or portrait) for every single plot.  Before all i had to do was pick the paper size in Autocad and it adjusted automatically.  I have a 24" roll and want the paper the match the plot, ie... 17" on the 24", 11" on the roll length; 22" on the 24", 18" on the roll; 22" on the 24", 34" on the roll.  This is driving me nuts and I can't fix it.  Every plot has to be set up under the plotter properties. saving the pc3 does no good, I still have to change it.  Newest drivers on the plotter are installed.  Any help would be great.

[pendean]

What does "all the settings in windows setup" mean to the rest of us? I'm not familair with that terminology or what it does.
And what older version of AutoCAD/LT did you move from? Nothing's really changed with plotting or publishing in LT2021.

[r.conner]

The setting in windows, the print drivers and the os settings. I came from lt2020 to lt2021

[pendean]

Thanks for the info: there is nothing about plotting in LT2021 that is different from LT2020.
Did you perhaps not move a needed custom PC3 file(s) from LT2020 to LT2021 that set your paper sizes for you as you initially described? Start up 2020 and find out for sure. Most of the time that's up to you to do, the new program installer and migration tool if invoked can miss them.
Who set up your LT2020? Are they available to do the same for yout LT2021 as well?
Or did you install a new plotter driver while getting the new LT2021 installed? That can break everything for sure.
Elaborate where you can. TIA

[r.conner]

New install on everything.

[r.conner]

I've been in this game since release 9 (dos) not 2009. so i'm not a nubie.  I know that the problems started when out network systems guy installed a new server. that is why I installed the newest drivers and printer drivers.  i uninstalled all of autocad and previous versions, deleted all the autocad directories (even the ones it leaves under users/appdata/etc.)  I keep getting crashes when i have multiple drawing open and thought a new clean install might help (WRONG). SO, the crashes i have to deal with (UGH!)    (That was the reason i said new hard drive, because i deleted everything.)  Now to figure out this stupid printing problem.  back in the original post I said i have to go into the cutom properties before every plot, the worse part about this is that the preview shows the correct paper size, but if i print the drawing, it plots on a c size paper but at the d scale (chops off everything)  I believe this is an autocad to windows error, i don't think they are working together.  Literally, every plot i have to go through the screens below and set paper size and orientation.  saving to the pc3 file has no affect.

 

 

[pendean]

>>>...the problems started when out network systems guy installed a new server...<<<
>>>...why I installed the newest drivers and printer drivers...<<<
Yep, you pretty much destroyed all of your old preset PC3/PMP files that you relied on to auto-create your plot parameters.

What about your PMP files? They contain your paper sizes information and you tie them to PC3 files. Explore in HELP, a good place for a refresh of how they all work together.

[r.conner]

I figured as much, still, Im overlooking something while setting this thing back up.  i can't figure it out.

[pendean]

Do you still have access to your last LT setup and its PMP files that were tied to those PC3 files?

if not, you can make new ones with your new PC3 file(s) as noted below: PC3 files are plotter configurations, PMP are sheet sizes etc., they work together, you need to tie PMPs to PC3s together, HELP explains the process.

[r.conner]

I have tried that.

I still have to go to the plotter config editor and go to custom prop. and change the sheet size in there.

[r.conner]

I have tried everything I can think of on this.  I do not know how to fix this.  I have set these up in the past and it was a set and forget kinda thing.  I have basically deleted everything autocad related and deleted everything plotter related and re-installed everything new.  when I plotted before, I only had to change the paper size in the (Plot - Model) screen.  there was no {page - setup}  I just picked the size, the orientation in the little "view" was correct, When I hit preview it was correct, then plot.  If i had a rotated 90 degree drawing (a c-size turned upright) i could chage the orientation in autocad and it was done.

  NOW, I have to go to Properties>custom properties>and change the paper there and select the orientation.  If anything is different, (like this page says d and back at the start it says a b size) it either will not preview or it does and it plots a b size print on a d size page or cuts a d size print off on a b size sheet.  I've viewed the "tutorials" and they are so vague it does not help.

  Can you see why it is getting aggravating having to change the actual "printer setting" on every single plot.  Even if I go to another drawing and pick "previous plot" I still have to check every single setting or else it may be wrong.  This has changed a 10 second plot job to a 2 minute ordeal per plot.

   I have tried generic drivers and specific drivers, no difference. 

Am I over looking something so simple, or is it a click I am not doing? I have the pc3 file. I save them at every chage and even though they are saved, they still are not working.  Anyone have any ideals?

[r.conner · Accepted solution]

Ok, After moving to a new computer and a brain fart I thought about doing the old hpgl/2 drivers and it worked.

so the answer was hpgl2 drivers

thanks for all your help.