Standardizing Plotting for Network Use |
| When working in a network environment, it is important
for users to be on the same page in terms of plotting, in order to produce
consistent results throughout the office. AutoCAD uses PC3 files to
configure and customize printers, and CTB/STB files to determine pen
assignments or line weights. It also uses PMP files to customize plotter
margins. By default, AutoCAD looks for PC3 files, PMP files, and CTB/STB
files in local Plotters, Drv, and Plot Styles directories. With
these search paths set locally, one person could create a custom 36x60
page size for a drawing, but when the next person opens it up and tries
to plot it, they'll get a warning that the page size does not exist,
forcing them to go through the process of setting up the custom page
size all over again. Therefore, in a network environment, it is recommended
to store your PC3 files , PMP files, and CTB/STB files in network location,
and point your Printer Support File Paths to this location.
To change the directory where AutoCAD looks for configured plotters, PMP files, and plot styles, run the Tools -> Options command, and click on the File tab to see the list of search paths:
Click on the plus sign next to Printer Support File Path. The Printer Configuration Search Path stores the location where AutoCAD looks for PC3 files. Specify a network location for PC3 files here, and copy the desired PC3 files from a local computer's Plotters directory to this location. In order to keep everyone on the company standard and prevent users from recklessly creating PC3 files on a whim, do not copy the Add-A-Plotter Wizard to this location. The Add-A-Plotter Wizard will still be available on the local computer if a new PC3 file is required. The Printer Description File Search Path is where AutoCAD looks for PMP files. Specify a network location for this as well, and copy any existing PMP files to the network location. Most companies avoid the use of PMP files, so you may not have any existing ones. The Plot Style Table Search Path stores the location where AutoCAD looks for CTB/STB pen assignment files. Specify a network Plot Styles directory here, and copy your company standard CTB/STB files to this location. The search paths specified here are stored in the AutoCAD user profile. Each user on each computer has a unique profile, so these paths will have to be set for all users on all computers. Be sure to announce these paths as part of your company's plotting standard. For more information on PC3 files and CTB files, see Plotting in AutoCAD |
