Pages being cut too long

We print to HP DesignJet 700's, and print mostly 24x36 and 30x42 using acad 2004 with no add ons just all the regular updates. We have set all the "margins" to 0" and do not use the "Expand" set of page sizes (those of us that pay attention atleast). We print either extents, or window based on the architects titleblocks. The problem is that when I print a 30X42 sheet, it comes out 30 X approx. 43 5/16. A similar extension happens with the 24X36 plots. Is there a setting that I may be missing? Seems we've had this problem since I started working here 4 years ago and we were using acad2000 then, and its finally gotten on my nerves and a few architects nerves enough for me to try to fix it, only I'm stumped! Thanks in advance for any help!

 

I'm having the exact same problem with our DesignJet 800 & our 1050c. I've been playing around with settings, Margins, Custom paper sizes and nothing has really worked.
The closest I've been to solving the problem requires a custom paper setting with a printable area of 30 x 40.87 and then off-setting the plot .74 in the X-axis.

All this just to get a 30 x 42 in. plot is asking everyone to do a little too much in my opinion.

I will be curious to find out what information you find. As I will post any info that I may find...

Todd

 

The plotter (mine is HP 430) has hardware limitations to the margins. You cannot
cut a sheet right on a line. The sheet size control allows you to define a
*printable* window of X by Y but the plotter will add whatever selvage it needs
to grip the paper while it cuts it. The 430 needs 0.67" at the ends and 0.2" at
the edges, assuming that you plot lengthwise. To make that all work you need to
define a printable window 1.34" and 0.4" smaller than the finished sheet. These
are coded into the list of available sizes, so no special sizing should be
required unless you have really special needs.

Remark: you should consider using layouts, with the plot requirements already
set up, rather than windowing.


rs

 

If what you are trying to plot (Titleblock) is exactly 30x42 that sounds
about what you will get using normal margins. I use expanded margins (means
less of a margin) and my plotted area (Titleblock) is 40-11/16", and that
will produce a 42" plot. So, are you taking margins into equation? Meaning
you can not plot an area that is 30x42 and get a 30x42 piece of paper.

Same idea hold true for 36x24.


<SNIP>
The problem is that when I print a 30X42 sheet, it comes out 30 X approx. 43
5/16. A similar extension happens with the 24X36 plots.

 

Yeah, I've looked into the Minimum margins of the HP-800 and even when I stay within those limitations, the plotter still cuts the sheet long.

Example: I select the Arch E1 30x42 sheet from the plot dialog box. I select a window, extents or layout (any selection here doesn't matter) I go to Plot preview and everything appears to be in order, centered and looks OK within the printable area. I send to plot and the plotter cuts the sheet 30x43 in. long...

This is the problem... It takes what I posted earlier with the custom paper size and offsetting the plot to get a true 30x42 in. plot...

You made a suggestion of using layouts.... Did using layouts help you with plotting to a true 30x42 in. paper??

Thanks for your help by the way... I'm just frustrated that I can't plot to a 30x42 in. paper size

Todd

 

What do you mean by expanded margins? I have the ability to select an Oversize 30x42, is that what I should select?

My current title block is 29.5" x 40.5" which should leave .25 on each side (plotting length wise) and .75" on the leading & trailing edge where the plotter should cut the sheet.

but instead cuts the sheet 43" long leaving me with over an inch of margins on the leading & trailing edges....

Thanks again for all the help....
Todd

 

Hi,
If i'm understanding your problem correctly i believe this will help you
out. Just go to the Properties button in "Plotter Configuration" section of
the plot dialoge box and in the "Modify Standard Paper Sizes (Printable
Area)" you need to change the "0" in the boxes to something more, but less
than the line of the border (if you have one) then pick "Center the plot"
under "Plot offset"; such as 0.25. When you save, make sure you save it to
the original file. The problem comes from the fact that the printer goes
beyond what it considers the "printable area" (which is noted in the "Plot
Setting" area of the Plot Dialoge Box) becuase it needs to hold the paper
and would do the same in the opposite direction if possible (if you weren't
already plotting on the exact size sheet) even though there is nothing to
plot beyond that point your telling it it has to print it like there is.
Hope this helps, I'm sure I've over detailed the explanation, I tend to do
that.
Kim

acad 2004 with no add ons just all the regular updates. We have set all the
"margins" to 0" and do not use the "Expand" set of page sizes (those of us
that pay attention atleast). We print either extents, or window based on the
architects titleblocks. The problem is that when I print a 30X42 sheet, it
comes out 30 X approx. 43 5/16. A similar extension happens with the 24X36
plots. Is there a setting that I may be missing? Seems we've had this
problem since I started working here 4 years ago and we were using acad2000
then, and its finally gotten on my nerves and a few architects nerves enough
for me to try to fix it, only I'm stumped! Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Does you firemware for the 800 support expanded (smaller) margins? We had to
upgrade our firmware for them.

Also, if I recall correctly expanded margins are only available with certain
paper types selected at the plotter. For example, if we select vellum the
margins revert back to normal, and we get a plot longer than 42". If we
select coated paper expanded margins are available again, and our plots are
42" while all other settings are EXACTLY the same. Never made any sense to
me.
<shrug>

stay within those limitations, the plotter still cuts the sheet long.

select a window, extents or layout (any selection here doesn't matter) I go
to Plot preview and everything appears to be in order, centered and looks OK
within the printable area. I send to plot and the plotter cuts the sheet
30x43 in. long...

paper size and offsetting the plot to get a true 30x42 in. plot...

with plotting to a true 30x42 in. paper??

 

You are the one with the 800? At the plotter, Under the paper menu>Page
format there is an option for small margins (if you have the latest
firmware). We had to upgrade the firmware to get this option (free DL from
HP).

From my post above:
Also, if I recall correctly expanded margins are only available with certain
paper types selected at the plotter. For example, if we select vellum the
margins revert back to normal, and we get a plot longer than 42". If we
select coated paper expanded margins are available again, and our plots are
42" while all other settings are EXACTLY the same. Never made any sense to
me.
<shrug>

Oversize 30x42, is that what I should select?

side (plotting length wise) and .75" on the leading & trailing edge where
the plotter should cut the sheet.

margins on the leading & trailing edges....

 

Kim thanks for the response... Just a clarification to your response is needed.... My Margins for the HP-800 are 5mm on each side, with a 17mm leading and trailing edge. If I understand your response correctly I need to modify the standard paper size for 30x42 and allow autocad to assign an unprintable margin greater than 0 (zero) but less than the remaining distance of my Titleblock and the 30x42 in. sheet size... Correct???

 

I'll have to check our firmware of the plotter. I don't recall seeing an option for expanded margins in our settings, so I'll look into downloading any available firmware...

Thanks

 

So given a sheet setup to print extents (with nothing beyond the sheet) and centered, with the pc3 file set to no margins at all, Its just a limitation of the plotters ability that gives me the extra paper? That explanation works for me. Guess I'll just have to fiddle with it to make it a little closer to 42" long. Thanks everyone!

 

The small margins option is available on the 700, its better, but still not quite

 

not special needs per se... just architects that insist on setting up their titleblocks at exactly 30x42 in size... then complain when I send them a set of sheets printed @ 1:1 that are a little long!

 

Usually HP printers/plotters have an option for "inked area" do you use
that?

Jan

acad 2004 with no add ons just all the regular updates. We have set all the
"margins" to 0" and do not use the "Expand" set of page sizes (those of us
that pay attention atleast). We print either extents, or window based on the
architects titleblocks. The problem is that when I print a 30X42 sheet, it
comes out 30 X approx. 43 5/16. A similar extension happens with the 24X36
plots. Is there a setting that I may be missing? Seems we've had this
problem since I started working here 4 years ago and we were using acad2000
then, and its finally gotten on my nerves and a few architects nerves enough
for me to try to fix it, only I'm stumped! Thanks in advance for any help!

 

Well no luck with any of the suggestions. so far....

Is there a driver that would allow me to manipulate the actual sheet sizes so that the sheets are then cut a true 30x42 ??? I'm just at a loss at this point.

Does anyone have a plotter that truely cuts the sheets at 30x42 ???

Thanks for all the help......
Todd

 

Yup, both the 800 and the 700

sizes so that the sheets are then cut a true 30x42 ??? I'm just at a loss
at this point.

 

This one has had me stumped for MONTHS. I've posted here repeated with no replies. For some reason I've found that if you use a 30" roll of paper, the HP800 doesn't have a problem cutting the length to exactly 42", unfortunately my office standard (unflexible as it is) is to use a 42" roll of paper, meaning that with all my "tweaking", the best I can get it to do is 42x30.5. I still don't know where that other 1/2" comes from, but I've given up on trying to find it after exhausting any/all options and oodles of company time.

We may just have to chalk this one up to a "ghost in the machine" kinda thing.

Sorry couldn't be more helpful, but hope to have saved you some hair pulling.

 

San'dy.... What model of 800 do you have, and what are your exact plot settings when you plot to a 30x42 ???

Example: Do you select the Arch E1 30x42 sheet size and what are the Margins set to in your "modified standard paper sizes" for that same sheet.

If I can duplicate your success with good results that would be great...

Thanks for your help...
Todd

 

800PS
Arch E1 - 30 x 42 (30'' roll paper in the plotter).
Landscape.
Margins look to be LR: 0.20'',0.20'' Printable area 29.60'' x 41.60'' (I
think its default). Are you sure your titleblock or extents or whatever you
are using is not to big? We plot to extents and our TB is 40-11/16'', giving
us a 42'' paper size.

Out of the box the plotter did not give us the smaller margins options at
the plotter, we had up date the firmware.

Here is the strange part IIRC:
Depending on what type of paper is selected at the plotter determines if
smaller margins was actually used or not. If we select vellum, for example,
they were NOT. If we select coated paper they are, and we us that setting
for all paper types. That makes no sense to me but it works.

settings when you plot to a 30x42 ???

Margins set to in your "modified standard paper sizes" for that same sheet.