Plotter Configuration

Configurations for Windows system printers are stored in plotter configuration files (.PC3 files). Unlike in AutoCAD®, PC3 plotter configuration files in BricsCAD™ apply to Windows system printers only.

In a plotter configuration file, you override one or more settings of the system printers installed on your computer. You can configure BricsCAD for many plotting/printing devices and keep multiple configurations for each single device.

Each plotter configuration file contains information such as:

The device driver and model
The output port to which the device is connected
Various device-specific settings (not supported on the Linux platform).

PC3 files are saved in the Plotconfig subfolder of your Roamable root folder.

After creating a PC3 file, it is available in the list of plotter configuration names in the Printer / Plotter configuration list on the Print or Page Setup dialog boxes.

To configure the built-in PDF printer

Open the Print dialog.
Click the Printer/Plotter configuration list button and choose Print As PDF.pc3 in the list.
Click the Edit Plotter Configuration button ().
The Plotter Configuration Editor dialog displays withe the Print As PDF.pc3 configuration file loaded.
The default path for plotter configuration files (*.pc3) is: C:\Users\<User_Name>\AppData\Roaming\Bricsys\BricsCAD\Vxx\en_US\PlotConfig
Click the Settings tab on the Plotter Configuration Editor dialog.
(Option) Edit the Graphics settings.
(Option) Execute the Scale Calibration.
Click the Custom Properties button.
The Print As PDF - Custom Properties dialog displays.
(Option) Adjust the Output quality and Layers support settings.
Click the Manage Custom sizes ... button.
To create a custom paper size do the following:

Click the Add button.
A new paper size is added.
Double click the newly created papersize.
Type a name for the new paper size, then click the OK button.
Define Width an Height for the new paper size.
Define the Paper Margins.
Paper margins define the printable area of paper sheet.
If the DISPPAPERMARGINS system variable is ON, dashed lines indicate the paper margins on the paper sheet* in a layout.

* The paper sheet background displays if the DISPPAPERBKG system variable is ON.
Click the OK button to create the custom paper size.

Click the OK button on each of the previously opened dialogs.

The custom paper size(s) can now be selected in the Paper Size list button.

To create a plotter configuration file

Choose Plotter Manager... in the File menu, then double click Create a Plotter Configuration shortcut.

The Plotter Configuration Editor dialog opens.

In the Printer name list, select the printer you want to create a plotter configuration (PC3) for.
Click the Settings tab on the Plotter Configuration Editor dialog.
Click the Custom Properties... button.
The <Selected Printer> Properties dialog opens.
The layout of this dialog is different for each printer.
Custom Properties are not supported on the Linux platform.
On the Properties dialog of the selected printer, adjust the printer settings, then click the OK button to confirm.
The <Selected Printer> Properties dialog closes.
Click the OK button on the Plotter Configuration Editor dialog.
The Save Plotter Configuration As file dialog displays.
(option) Adjust the PC3 file name.
The default name is <Selected Printer>.pc3.
Click the OK button on the Changes to a Printer Configuration File dialog.
The PC3 file is created.

NOTE	If you want to create multiple plotter configurations for the same printer, you must adjust the default name in step 7. If you accept the default name, the existing plotter configuration will be overwritten.

To edit a plotter configuration

Do one of the following:
Choose Page Setup in the File menu.
Type pagesetup in the command bar, then press Enter.

Select a plotter configuration (PC3) in the Printer / Plotter configuration list.
Click the Edit Plotter Configuration button () on the Print or Page Setup dialogs.
The Plotter configuration editor dialog opens.
Proceed in the Create a plotter configuration procedure starting from step 3.

NOTE

If you select a system printer in step 2, a new plotter configuration is created for the selected printer.

When you click the Edit Plotter Configuration button () in step 3, the Properties dialog of the selected printer opens first.

After clicking the OK button on the Properties dialog the Plotter configuration editor dialog opens.

You can then complete the Create a plotter configuration procedure.

To assign a plotter configuration

Choose Model or the Layout to which you want to assign a specific plotter configuration file.
Do one of the following:
Choose Page Setup in the File menu.
Type pagesetup in the command bar, then press Enter.

Choose one of the following from the Printer / Plotter configuration list:
A system printer
A configuration file (PC3 file)
None (uses Default)

Click the OK button.

NOTE

When BricsCAD™ cannot find the plotter configuration file assigned to the drawing, it changes the configuration file assigned to your drawing to None.
The None printer device has its own set of paper sizes that can be stored in the drawing very much the same as for any 'real' printer. If a layout is opened and the stored printer is absent, the printer switches to None while the paper size is maintained. The missing printer and the previous paper size are indicated upon opening the Print dialog. The previous paper size can be saved in the drawing,
PREVIOUS PAPER SIZE: drawings created by other parties are often set up for a printer that is not available in your office. In such case, BricsCAD resets the printer device to None , which results in using the default printer. Instead of resetting the paper size to a default, BricsCAD shows the Previous Paper size, in order to inform you about the intended paper size and allow to choose a similar size on any of the available printers.