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On the page, we will include all we know about printing and plotting in OS X with PowerCADD 6. Most of what we will discuss here applies to large-format ink-jet plotters, but all of this may be used for smaller printers as well. Executive Summary PostScript Printer/Plotters. If you have a large format inkjet plotter with PostScript built into the plotter, then printing in OS X from PowerCADD 6 will not be a problem as it is handled by the Laserwriter Driver. Plain Vanilla Printer/Plotters. In the past, these plotters have required a plotter driver program (PowerPlot, Microspot, etc.) to print. Essentially all of these machines can be used in OS X by using Gimp-Print, ESP Pro or Microspot X-RIP. The output is as good or better than with PostScript, and will certainly be better than these plotters have ever produced before. Gimp-Print is free, thus you no longer have to buy anything to print on one of these wide-format plotters. Printer/Plotters with software PostScript RIPs. Chances are that the PostScript RIPs will not work in OS X. Indeed, most have worked poorly in the past, so the best solution for these plotters will probably be to abandon the PostScript RIP and use Gimp-Print, ESP Pro or Microspot X-RIP. Printer/Plotters with OS X Drivers. These new-generation printer/plotters deliver the equivalent of PostScript printing and are the easiest to set up and use. First examples are the HP DesignJet 100/120 series discussed below. |
Gimp-Print About Gimp-Print Gimp-Print and USB Printers. The situation here is pretty simple.
Gimp-Print and TCP/IP. Most of us have our wide-format plotters on an ethernet network. To print, your printer must be set to a static IP address. This is the most difficult part of setting up your printer, and it's not very difficult at all. Some Basics Step 1. Set your printer to a static IP address, and write this IP address down.
Step 2. Download Gimp-Print from the Gimp-Print website. Step 3. Create a printer with Gimp-Print. Step 4. Print. |
Easy Software http://www.easysw.com/ just announced a CUPS printing solution for Mac OSX for most printers. It seems to include the HP 500 PS driver as well. It costs only $49.00 for a standalone download. I haven't tried it yet, but will soon. Gary Tilson
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About Microspot X-RIP
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HP DesignJet 100 / 120 Hewlett Packard offers the DesignJet 100 and 120 wide-format inkjet plotters that come with drivers for OS X. Although these are not advertised as 'PostScript' plotters, in fact they offer the exact same quality of output and appear to be a good marriage of OS X, Quartz and Hewlett-Packard plotters.
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Landscape Printing on HP Plotters Here's a way to set up landscape printing with a HP plotter. |