Printing and Plotting
Scott Onstott · 2017
This chapter offers guidance to users on how to configure output devices, create plot style tables, use plot style tables, plot in model space, plot layouts in paper space, and export to an electronic format in AutoCAD. The first thing users need to do is set up a system printer, which contains drivers that their operating system uses to control the output device. System printers are not specific to AutoCAD and device manufacturers supply drivers, which users then install to become printers on their system. Most programs send output directly to system printers, but AutoCAD is an exception. AutoCAD has another layer of software between the program and the operating system known as an AutoCAD plot. The final page of the Add-A-Plotter Wizard allows users to edit the newly created plotter driver itself. Screening refers to the intensity of ink sprayed on the paper while plotting. Selecting 100 directs the inkjet print head to spray at full intensity, whereas setting this value to 0 will not spray any ink. Intermediate values produce varying levels of grayscale.