process in Plotter, or process in Computer?

I have always assumed you want to do the former, not the latter. Especially
since setting the latter brings up a little dialog box warning you that
doing so " ... may make printing slow. Use only to solve out of memory
problems". However, I tested my problem HP 430, and with in Plotter
processing, the file was just getting going (mayby 20% of the page plotted)
at 5.5 minutes, while with in Computer processing it was done, including dry
time, in 5.0 minutes. And large areas of text plot without error.
Thus, I am very tempted to just set the plotter to process in Computer and
be done. however, this goes against how I understand things to work, so I
ask you all:
Using one plot setting sure would make batch plotting easier, as I was
planning on using two PC3s, and just setting up Named Page Setups for the
"standard" (in Plotter) plotter, with another PC3 for problem plots. But one
PC3 would be so much easier. Am I mad to do this? Is this plot an anomoly,
and I will rue the day I went to in Computer processing? Do I need to do
extensive testing, or just trust this test as indicative?

Thanks again, in advance,
Gordon

 

When the plotter is as old as the 430, its CPU is relatively much slower
than your host computer's, and its memory is much smaller. Hence, as long as
your network is fast and the connection to the plotter is fairly fast, you
come out ahead with "process in computer." I'm of the opinion that this is a
sensible option to routinely choose in this case.

With a newer plotter that has a faster CPU and more memory, it makes more
sense to let the plotter's CPU do the work. Also, some plotters will produce
better plot quality when the plotter processes the data.

 

Thanks for the info Tim. I think I am going to go with in computer for now,
and run some more test plots for quality. I suspect a new plotter is on the
aggenda, but the Acad upgrade and new seat where rather pricy, so it is on
the horizon, not next week. the joys of the small office

Best,
Gordon