HP DesignJet 350c, DesignJet 330 User Manual

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C4699-90031 English

User’s Guide

HP DesignJet 330 and 350C Plotters

Finding information

This User’s Guide for the HP DesignJet 330 and 350C plotters contains the following types of information:

setup use maintenance troubleshooting reference material.

T o help with finding specific information, a comprehensive table of contents is provided at the front and an alphabetical index is provided at the back.

You will notice the use of symbols in the left margin and shaded backgrounds to the text. These are used to identify different types of information as follows:

330

350C

Information specific only to the HP DesignJet 330 is shown like this.

Information specific only to the HP DesignJet 350C is shown like this.

All other information is applicable to both plotters.

The accompanying Quick Reference Guide contains:

selected information to help with everyday use of the plotter.

It is designed to be stored in the plastic pocket at the side of the plotter.

Where to find the most commonly needed information

To find how to ... Go to ...

Install the plotter. Connect the plotter. Configure the plotter using the Setup Sheet. Load media. Set the print quality. Check cartridge alignment Replace a cartridge. Clean the cartridge nozzles by priming them. Interpret the lights on the front panel. Clear a media jam.

Solve print quality problems. Order accessories.

T o find any other information ...

Chapter 1

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Page 1–17



Page 1–19



Page 2–9



Page 3–15



Chapter 5



Page 7–2



Page 7–7

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Chapter 8



Page 9–5



Page 9–12



Page 10–15

Go to the index



at the back

this manual.

iii

Contents

Finding information ii Welcome ix

1 Setting up your plotter

Fast track 1–2

Setup checklist 1–3 T ask 1: Check that you have all the items required 1–4 T ask 2: (Optional) Install a memory expansion module 1–6 T ask 3: Position the plotter 1–8 T ask 4: Switch on 1–9 T ask 5: Load the print cartridge(s) 1–10 T ask 6: (Optional) Change the language 1–14 T ask 7: Connect the plotter to your computer 1–17 T ask 8: (Optional) Configure the plotter 1–19 T ask 9: Set up the plotter in your application software 1–24 T ask 10: Send a sample or demo plot 1–26

2 Working with media

Caring for your media 2–2 Choosing media 2–2

Supported media types and relative costs 2–3 Physical characteristics of media types 2–4 HP DesignJet 350C: Recommended print quality settings and recommended

media for color plots 2–5

T ypical media-type choices by application 2–6 Before loading media 2–7 Before sending your file 2–7 Loading sheet media 2–9

T o load a sheet (without the roll-feed option installed) 2–9

T o realign the sheet manually (if necessary) 2–14 Loading roll media 2–17

T o change the roll 2–17

T o feed roll media into the plotter 2–21 T o load a sheet with the roll-feed option installed 2–26 Unloading media 2–27

Drying time 2–27

T o unload a sheet at the end of a plot 2–28

T o unload a sheet under any other circumstances 2–28

T o cut and unload a plot from a roll 2–29

CONTENTS

Contents

3 Controlling your plot’s appearance

Ways to control the plots’ appearance 3–2 Page size 3–3

When do you need to adjust the page size in the plotter? 3–4 T o adjust the page size in the Setup Sheet 3–5 Page size and clipped plots 3–6

Rotating a plot 3–7

Can you rotate any drawing using the Setup Sheet? 3–7 T o rotate a plot using the plotter’s Setup Sheet 3–7 Exactly what is rotated? 3–8 The Rotate feature and clipped plots 3–9

How does Rotate interact with your software? 3–9 Plotting a mirror image 3–10 Changing the treatment of overlapping lines (Merge feature) 3–11 Changing the plotter’s logical pen characteristics 3–12 Printing color drawings in monochrome 3–13

T o switch from color to monochrome 3–13

Important points about monochrome printing 3–14 Choosing an appropriate print quality 3–15

T o change the print quality on the front panel 3–16

4 Managing your plots

T o cancel a plot 4–2 T o copy a plot 4–2 T o advance the media 4–3

5 Special internal plots

Their purpose and how to print them 5–2 Using the Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet 5–3 Using the Color Cartridge T est Sheet 5–7

6 Reconfiguring your plotter

T o see the current configuration of the plotter 6–2 T o change the serial interface settings 6–3 T o change the graphics language setting for less common applications 6–3 T o change the I/O timeout setting 6–4 T o upgrade your plotter with more memory 6–4

File size and memory usage 6–4 T o upgrade your plotter with a network interface 6–5 T o upgrade the HP DesignJet 330 plotter with color 6–5

7 Maintaining your plotter

Replacing cartridges 7–2

When to replace cartridges 7–2

Using genuine HP supplies 7–3 Before replacing cartridges 7–4 T o replace one or more cartridges 7–5 Cleaning the cartridge nozzles (priming) 7–7 Cleaning the plotter 7–9

Contents

CONTENTS

8 Front-panel lights 9 Troubleshooting

Using the documentation 9–2 Locating the source of your problem 9–3 Solving media-handling problems 9–4

If the plotter will not accept your media 9–4

If the plotter continually rejects your media, with the Error and Load Media

lights flashing 9–4 Clearing a media jam 9–5 Solving communication problems 9–8 Solving problems with plot position or content 9–9

If the plot is completely blank 9–9

If the output contains only a partial plot 9–9

If the plot is clipped 9–10

If the entire plot is in one quadrant of the correct plotting area 9–10

If one plot overlays another plot on the same sheet 9–10

If the output is distorted or unintelligible 9–11

If the plotter has drawn a different plot than the one you were

expecting 9–11

If pen settings seem to have no effect 9–11

vii

Contents

Solving print-quality problems 9–12

If there are white streaks in solid areas or gaps in lines 9–12 If there are jagged vertical or horizontal lines 9–14 If there are slightly warped lines 9–14 If there are color “shadows” 9–14 If a cartridge is not printing at all 9–14 If there are blurred lines (ink “bleeds” from lines) 9–15 If there are blotchy areas (uneven fill density) 9–15 If there is other pronounced banding in area fills 9–15 If ink smears after you remove a plot 9–16 If the print quality appears to be poor just in one part of the plot 9–16

Solving miscellaneous problems 9–17

If the plotter does not plot 9–17 If the plotter seems too slow 9–17

Getting help 9–18

What to do before you call 9–18 If a repair is needed 9–19

10 Reference

Plotter specifications 10–2 Interface specifications 10–8

Parallel (Bi-Tronics/Centronics) Cable 10–9

Serial (RS-232-C) Cables 10–10 Interface cables 10–11 Regulatory notices 10–12 Ordering accessories 10–15

HP part numbers for HP DesignJet Papers and Films 10–18

HP-GL/2 and HP RTL programming information 10–19

How to order supplies and accessories 10–19

11 Glossary

Index Documentation map Please give us your feedback (removable)

viii

Welcome

An introduction to the HP DesignJet 330 and 350C plotters and their accessories

WELCOME

330

350C

r0006

0006

The HP DesignJet 330 and HP DesignJet 350C are large-format inkjet plotters employing HP

disposable print cartridge technology.

The HP DesignJet 330 prints in monochrome and uses a single cartridge, containing black ink, one of which is supplied with your plotter.

The HP DesignJet 350C prints in color or monochrome, using yellow , cyan, magenta and black cartridges, a set of which is supplied with your plotter. All other supported colors are generated using these four.

1749a

Welcome

Accessories

Roll-feed and legs assembly

Extra spindles

Media deflector with E/A0-size only

1916

330

You have a large series of accessories available for use with your plotter, including:

A roll-feed kit, including a legs assembly

Extra spindles for the roll-feed, for easy changing of rolls

Memory expansion modules

In addition, for the HP DesignJet 330:

A color upgrade kit, allowing the plotter to be upgraded to a HP DesignJet 350C

For the full range of available accessories, see page 10–15.

Welcome

350C

Media

You can plot on sheet media up to E/A0 size or D/A1 size, depending on the plotter model you have.

With the addition of the optional roll-feed kit, you can also plot on roll media up to E/A0 or or D/A1 width.

A large range of media types is supported

: Opaque bond Translucent bond

Natural tracing paper Vellum Coated paper Heavyweight coated paper Matte and clear film

In addition, on the HP DesignJet 350C:

High-gloss film.

WELCOME

For the best-quality plots, use HP media, as your plotter’s configuration is optimized for it and tested with it. For details of HP media, see page 10–18 and

any separate HP media literature supplied with the plotter.

T o indicate which media type you have loaded, use the plotter’s front panel.

1. It is possible that, since the publication of this document, more media types have been tested and are now supported for your plotter. For the latest information, contact your HP dealer or local HP Sales and Support office.

2. There may be differences between the ways some media types are used for color and for monochrome printing. Refer to the media advice later in this manual.

Welcome

Print quality

You can choose between three print quality options:

Best Normal Fast

In general, the better the print quality you choose, the slower the plotting routine. The highest resolution in color, for the HP DesignJet 350C, is 300 dpi (dots per inch) and the highest addressable* resolution in monochrome, for both the HP DesignJet 330 and the HP DesignJet 350C, is 600 dpi. T o select a print quality option, use either the keys on the plotter’s front panel or the printer driver in your software.

Configuration settings

0.13

0.18

0.25

By pressing the Setup key on the front-panel of the plotter, you can print the plotter’s current configuration in a Setup Sheet. If you want to change any of the configuration settings (for example, line widths) you can do this by simply marking your changes on the Setup Sheet and feeding it back into the plotter. The plotter will read your request and re-configure itself automatically.

Each time you print one of these Setup Sheets it shows the plotter’s latest configuration – and so please keep the latest one filed with your Quick Reference Guide in the pocket at the side of the plotter, so that a service engineer would know the current configuration even if the plotter is temporarily inoperable.

* For a definition of “addressable”, see page 10–3.

xii

Welcome

Software applications and drivers

T o make sure that your plotter prints exactly what you were expecting – in terms of size, position, orientation, color and quality – the key is to use the correct driver for the combination of your application software and your plotter, and to be confident that it is configured correctly.

T wo types of HP drivers are supplied with your plotter:

AutoCAD users, for users of MicrosoftR Windows applications.

These drivers come with printed and online documentation to help you install and configure them correctly.

Generally , software applications include their own drivers too. For some popular applications, we have provided with this plotter a set of Software Application Notes. If you find your own application in these notes, we recommend that you use the information they contain as an overall guide to configuring the software for your plotter.

Memory

Your plotter comes with a basic memory of 4MB. Note that there is not a one-for-one relationship between the plotter’s memory and the maximum size of file that it can plot. However, in case you need to print particularly large files, the following memory expansion modules are available; 4MB, 8MB, 16MB, and 32MB. The maximum total memory is 36MB (4 + 32). With some drivers, there are other means of printing large files – for advice, see page 9–17.

WELCOME

xiii

xiv

Fast track 1-2

Setup checklist 1-3 Task 1: Check that you have all the items required 1-4 Task 2: (Optional) Install a memory expansion module 1-6 Task 3: Position the plotter 1-8 Task 4: Switch on 1-9 Task 5: Load the print cartridge(s) 1-10 Task 6: (Optional) Change the language 1-14 Task 7: Connect the plotter to your computer 1-17 Task 8: Configure the plotter 1-19 Task 9: Set up the plotter in your application software 1-24 Task 10: Send a sample or demo plot 1-26

SETUP

Setting up your plotter

1–1

Setting up your plotter

Fast track

If you meet all the following requirements:

If you are happy with English as the language for the plotter’s internal plots. If you are experienced at installing printers or plotters. If you don’t want to add extra memory. If you are going to connect the plotter directly to a PC. If you are going to use a parallel connection.

... just follow the five steps on this page, and skip the rest of this chapter.

1 If the plotter is without legs, place it at the edge of a stable platform (see

page 1–10).

2 Connect the power cord and switch the plotter on. 3 Open the cover and load the supplied print cartridge(s) into the carriage on

the left of the plotter. For help, use the label on the plotter near the carriage and the documentation in the cartridge box. Don’t forget to remove the tape from the cartridge(s).

4 Switch off the plotter and your computer, connect the parallel cable, and then

switch them on again.

5 Choose your driver disk(s), read the instructions on the label and follow the

printed instructions that were shipped with the driver.

That’ s all!

1–2

Setup checklist

Setting up your plotter

Setup checklist

Having unpacked and assembled the plotter, you can use the checklist below as you complete each task explained in this chapter.

T ask

Check that you have all the items required.

(Optional) Install a memory expansion module.

Position the plotter.

Switch on.

Load the print cartridge(s).

(Optional) Change the language.

Connect the plotter to your computer.

(Optional) Configure the plotter.

Set up the plotter in your application software.

Done? (n)

SETUP

Send a sample or demo plot.

1–3

Setting up your plotter

T ask 1: Check that you have all the items required

Task 1: Check that you have all the items required

Supplied

330

350C

1 You will need the following items, which were supplied with the plotter.

Power cord

The power cord supplied with your plotter should meet the plug requirements for your area. However, different power cords (international options) are available. If necessary, contact your dealer or HP Sales and Support Office.

Print cartridge(s):

For the HP DesignJet 330:

– One black

For the HP DesignJet 350C:

– One yellow – One cyan – One magenta – One black

Software

The following two software packs were supplied with the plotter. Whether you need them depends on what application(s) you intend to use.

– Drivers for AutoCAD – Drivers for Microsoft Windows applications

2 Inspect the plotter itself and the above accessories. If you received any item in a

damaged condition, notify the dealer or HP Sales and Support Office where you purchased the plotter, and file a claim with the carrier.

1–4

Setting up your plotter

T ask 1: Check that you have all the items required

Not supplied

Optional

3 You will also need the following items, which were not supplied with the plotter.

Interface cable

For details of suitable cables, see page 10–11.

Media

For details of supported media types, see page 2–3. As part of the setup routine, you may need up to three A-size or A4-size sheets, plus whatever size sheet you prefer for a sample plot.

If you have fitted the optional roll-feed assembly, you can use either roll media or cut sheets; if not, you can use only cut sheets.

4 If you have bought one, you will also need your:

Memory expansion module

For details of the memory expansion modules available, see page 10–16.

HP JetDirect EX print server

This is required if you intend to connect your plotter directly to a network. For details of the latest HP JetDirect EX products, contact your local HP Sales and Support Office. For configuration details, see page 1–18.

SETUP

1–5

Setting up your plotter

T ask 2: (Optional) Install a memory expansion module

Task 2: (Optional) Install a memory expansion module

For details of the memory modules available, see page 10–16. You may install only one.

Make sure that the plotter is switched OFF and that neither the power cord nor an interface cable is connected.

Unscrew the cover plate at the back of the plotter, and remove it.

1–6

1736a

1737

Setting up your plotter

T ask 2: (Optional) Install a memory expansion module

CAUTION

Before handling a memory module, either put on a grounding wrist strap and attach the end to the metal chassis of the plotter, or touch the outer metal surface of the plotter with your hand. Otherwise, static electricity from your body could damage the memory module.

3 Take the memory module out of its bag, holding the module only by the edges. 4

With the module’s small notch on the left and the metallic edge away from you, load the module into the slot nearest to you. (The other slot is not for memory modules.) T o do this, first hold the module at an angle, and then gradually push it back until it clicks into place vertically.

Notch

SETUP

Slot nearest to you

5 Replace the cover plat and screws.

Push until it clicks into place

1738a

1–7

Setting up your plotter

T ask 3: Position the plotter

Task 3: Position the plotter

If you have fitted the optional roll-feed kit, you must also fit the legs assembly for stability, so this task does not apply.

If you have not fitted the optional roll-feed and legs kit, position the plotter as shown below.

For operating temperature and humidity, see page 10–5. Allow enough space above the plotter to open the cover.

If the plotter is without legs ...

Level surface.

Sturdy support. For plotter weights, see page 10–4.

Leave enough space for your largest sheet size to hang freely from the media exit slot without touching the ground.

1–8

1739

Place the plotter at the edge of the support, so that sheets exit

without hitting the top of the

support.

Task 4: Switch on

Setting up your plotter

T ask 4: Switch on

WARNING

Be sure that the power cord supplied with your plotter matches your ac power connection requirements. Use only three-wire (earth-grounded) power cords with this plotter.

1 Make sure that the power switch on the front of the plotter is in the OFF position

(extended).

Plug the power cord into the socket at the back of the plotter, and then into your power outlet.

1740a

Switch on the plotter, by pushing the power switch.

SETUP

4 If there is no sound, nor any light on the front panel, you may have a power

problem. For troubleshooting information, see chapter 9.

off

1741

1–9

Setting up your plotter

T ask 5: Load the print cartridges

Task 5: Load the print cartridge(s)

Make sure that, on the front panel, the Film and Error lights are flashing. If other lights are on, look up their meaning in Chapter 8.

Error

Film

Open the cover. If necessary, wait for the cartridge carriage to move to the service station (the area on the left of the plotter).

Cartridge carriage in service station

330

r1752a

1752a

1–10

350C

Setting up your plotter

T ask 5: Load the print cartridge(s)

WARNING

330

350C

Don’t touch the stainless steel strip that runs the length of the plotter behind the cartridge carriage; its edge is very sharp. Keep hair, jewelry, clothing, and foreign objects away from the plotter mechanisms.

A set of cartridges was supplied with the plotter:

The HP DesignJet 330 is supplied with one black cartridge.

The HP DesignJet 350C is supplied with four cartridges:

– yellow – cyan – magenta – black

For the 350C, each stall in the carriage has a dot indicating the color of the cartridge that should be installed: you must put the correct cartridge in the correct stall. The sequence of the stall colors is, from left to right, yellow, cyan, magenta and black.

Yellow

Cyan

Magenta

Black

SETUP

00019

For users with color-vision deficiencies. You can identify the colors of the cartridges by the part numbers on the boxes – see page 10–17.

Note. It is not recommended to operate the 350C with only the black cartridge loaded.

1–11

Setting up your plotter

T ask 5: Load the print cartridges

For each cartridge in the set:

1 Take the cartridge out of its box. 2 Remove the colored protective tape and tab

from the cartridge’s nozzles.

1754

For the 350C, match the color of the cartridge’s label with

350C

the color of the dot above the stall.

3 Make sure that the plotter is still switched ON. (Never install cartridges

with the plotter switched off.)

4 Insert the cartridge in the stall. Press down lightly and push the cartridge

away from you until it snaps into place. If it is installed correctly, the

Ready light flashes for a few seconds. Otherwise, re-seat it.

Yellow

Cyan

Magenta

Black

0019

350C

r004

330

1–12

When all the cartridges are installed, lower the cover.

Setting up your plotter

T ask 5: Load the print cartridges

On the front panel, the should flash for up to about a minute and then go off. The should then be on (together with

T ype

and Print Quality lights).

If you wish, you can now check your cartridge alignment by running the Black Cartridge Alignment Routine (See page 5–3). However, this is normally only required for troubleshooting.

Ready light

Load Media light

Media

Load Media

SETUP

1–13

Setting up your plotter

T ask 6: (Optional) Change the language

Task 6: (Optional) Change the language

All the plotter’s internal plots are available in the following languages: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Japanese. By default, the language is English. If English is what you want, then you can skip this task and go to task 7.

T o change from English to any of the other languages, you must use the plotter’s Setup Sheet, as explained below.

Load a sheet of A-size or A4-size plain paper, in portrait orientation. For guidance on loading a sheet, see page 2–9.

When the

Plot will be on underside.

Ready light is on, you have loaded the sheet correctly.

1750

1–14

Make sure the front-panel Media T ype is set to

Media T ype key until the Plain light is

on.

Press Setup.

Plain. If necessary, press the

Setting up your plotter

T ask 6: (Optional) Change the language

Plain

Media

T ype

Setup

SETUP

When the plot has finished, wait until

Load Media light comes on and

the the plotter ejects the sheet. Remove the sheet.

Load Media

1–15

Setting up your plotter

T ask 6: (Optional) Change the language

The plot is a Setup Sheet in English. You can ignore all the information except the box in the top left, headed “1. Language”.

1. Language

English

T ake a pencil or black pen and fill in the oval next to the language you want.

Reload it in the plotter, printed side down and with the large arrow pointing into the plotter.

When the

Setup again.

Ready light comes on, press

The plotter will now read your marks and reconfigure itself automatically.

Français Deutsch Español Italiano Português

Setup

Ready

When the Load Media light comes on

again, remove the sheet and make sure that the plotter has marked your selection with a check mark.

1–16

Load Media

1751b

Setting up your plotter

T ask 7: Connect the plotter to your computer

Task 7: Connect the plotter to your computer

If you are connecting the plotter directly to your computer

1 Decide whether to use the parallel or serial interface.

If your computer and your application software support it, use the parallel interface, as it is faster. You may connect both the parallel and the serial interface simultaneously if you wish: the plotter uses the interface that first receives data.

2 Choose an interface cable.

For a list of HP cables for various computers, see the table on page 10–11. If you are making up your own cable, refer to the interface specifications starting on page 10–8. Use shielded interface cables only.

Note on the parallel interface. The parallel interface is an IEEE-1284-compliant Bi-Tronics/Centronics interface. The same cable can be used for both Bi-T ronics and Centronics communication.

3 Switch off the plotter and the computer . 4

Connect one end of the cable to the appropriate port on the back of the plotter.

Port for serial-interface

cable (plotter end of cable:

Port for parallel-interface cable (plotter end of cable: 36-pin male)

25-pin male)

SETUP

5 Connect the other end of the cable to your computer. For help on choosing the

correct port on the computer, refer to your computer documentation.

6 Switch on the computer and the plotter.

1744b

1–17

Setting up your plotter

T ask 7: Connect the plotter to your computer

If you are connecting the plotter directly to a network

You can connect your plotter directly to a Local Area Network using an HP JetDirect EX external network interface, connected to the plotter’s parallel port. Various network operating systems are supported, in DOS, Unixr and Macintosh environments. For the latest information on HP JetDirect EX products, contact your local HP Sales and Support office.

PC Unix Macintosh

LAN

HP JetDirect EX Print Server

Parallel cable

HP DesignJet 330/350C

0001

For installation of the HP JetDirect EX interface, see the Installation Guide that comes with that product.

1–18

T ask 8 (optional): Configure the plotter

Task 8: (Optional) Configure the plotter

Setting up your plotter

In the majority of cases, there is no need to change any of the plotter’s default settings. This may be because:

You prefer to change those settings that affect the appearance of your plots from your application software.

The plotter’s factory defaults, listed on page 1–22, are acceptable.

However, if you do want to change the defaults, follow steps 1 through 8, which explain how to print and use the Setup Sheet.

Note. If you changed the language from English (see task 6 above), you already know how to use this sheet – but this time it will be in your chosen language.

Load a sheet of A-size or A4-size plain paper, in portrait orientation. For guidance on loading a sheet, see page 2–9.

When the

Ready light is on, you have loaded the sheet correctly.

SETUP

Plot will be on underside.

1750

1–19

Setting up your plotter

Task 8: (Optional) Configure the plotter

Make sure the front-panel Media T ype is set to

Media T ype key until the Plain light is

Plain. If necessary, press the

on.

Press Setup.

Plain

Media

T ype

Setup

When the plot has finished, wait until

Load Media light comes on and

the the plotter ejects the sheet. Remove the sheet.

1–20

Load Media

Setting up your plotter

T ask 8 (optional): Configure the plotter

HP DesignJet 330/350C Setup Sheet

Current setting =

1. Language 3. Graphics Language

English Français Deutsch Español

Italiano Português

2. Serial Interface 5. Plot Appearance

Baud Rate Parity

1200 2400 4800

9600 19200 38400

7. Page Size

Inked Area

Software

Over-

size

8. Pen Settings

If you want these pen settings to take effect, don’t forget to mark the oval above.

Width (mm)

0.13

0.18

0.25

0.35

0.50

0.70

1.00

Grayscale

100%

80% 60% 40% 20% 10%

A1 A2

Desired setting =

None Even Odd

JIS

4. I/O Timeout

Best

B1 B2

B3 B4

23456781

2345678

Pencil or black pen

HP–GL(7586B) HP–GL/2

0.5 min 1 min 5 min 30 min

Best

ANSI

Use settings from software Use settings from tables below

Pen Number

SETUP

350C

6. Color/Mono

Auto rotate Rotate off Rotate 90_

Mirror off Mirror on

Merge off Merge on

Best E D C B A

ISO

A0 A1 A2 A3 A4

350C

Color

Black Red Green Yellow Blue Magenta Cyan

ARCH

Print color as color

Print color as grayscale

Best

E D

C B A

Setup

Ready

1–21

Setting up your plotter

Task 8: (Optional) Configure the plotter

An example of a Setup Sheet is shown on the previous page. That example is for an E/A0-size plotter. The items in the Setup Sheet are listed in the table below.

Setup Sheet Items and Defaults

Factory

Item

Language English Task 6 explained how to change this. Baud Rate 9600 (Serial interface only). You must set the baud

Parity None (Serial interface only). You must set the parity to

Graphics Language

I/O Timeout 30 min See page 6–4. Rotate off See page 3–7 Mirror of f See page 3–10 Merge off See page 3–1 1 Color/Mono Print color as

Page Size Inked Area See page 3–5.

Default Comments

rate to be the same as that of the computer sending the data.

be the same as that of the computer sending the data.

HP-GL (7586B) See page 6–3.

See page 3–13

color

350C

Pen Settings Use settings

from software

1–22

Note that not all the page size options shown in the example are available on the D-size plotter.

See page 3–12.

Note that the color pen settings are only available on the HP DesignJet 350C.

350C

Follow the instructions on the Setup Sheet. Having marked the ovals to change the settings, reload the sheet in the plotter, printed side down, with the large arrow pointing into the plotter

When the Ready light comes on,

Setup again.

press

The plotter reads your marks and reconfigures itself automatically.

When the Load Media light comes on

again, remove the sheet and make sure that the plotter has marked your selection with a check mark.

Setting up your plotter

T ask 8 (optional): Configure the plotter

Setup

Ready

Load Media

SETUP

1751b

7 Please store this latest copy of the Setup Sheet with the Quick Reference Guide in

the plastic pocket at the side of the plotter, so that a service engineer would know the current configuration even if the plotter is inoperable.

1–23

Setting up your plotter

T ask 9: Set up the plotter in your application software

Task 9: Set up the plotter in your application software

“Application software” is the software from which you intend to send plots to your plotter – for example, a CAD system.

What is a driver? Your application software needs to know to which type of plotter it is sending

information. This knowledge, and other configuration information, is held in a “driver.” A driver is a piece of software that handles communications between your application software and a peripheral, for example a plotter. Drivers are usually supplied as part of the application software, but they are also available separately. If supplied separately, you need to install them separately.

AutoCAD Supplied with this plotter is a pack containing drivers for AutoCAD for DOS and

AutoCAD for Windows. Please refer to the documentation supplied with these drivers.

Windows applications Supplied with this plotter is a pack containing a driver for applications that work

with Microsoft Windows. Please refer to the documentation supplied with this driver.

Other applications Users of other applications should first check any Software Application Notes

supplied with the plotter, to see if their application is covered there.

For other applications, on the next page is a general recommendation as to which device to choose when setting up this plotter. Device lists are not always up to date with the latest plotters, and so with some software you may have to choose a plotter other than the HP DesignJet 330 or the HP DesignJet 350C from the device list.

1–24

Setting up your plotter

T ask 9: Set up the plotter in your application software

When choosing from a device list, follow these preferences, which are listed here in priority sequence.

Preference 1: HP DesignJet 330/350C Preference 2: HP DesignJet 750C Preference 3: HP DesignJet 650C

with a preference for C2858B/C2859B rather than C2858A/C2859A

Preference 4: HP DesignJet 220 Preference 5: HP DesignJet 200 Preference 6: HP DesignJet 600

HP DesignJet

Preference 7: HP-GL/2 Device

or a similar option including a reference to HP-GL/2

Preference 8: Any of:

HP 7595B DraftMaster SX HP 7596B DraftMaster RX HP 7599A DraftMaster MX HP 7595C DraftMaster SX Plus HP 7596C DraftMaster RX Plus HP 7599B DraftMaster MX Plus

SETUP

If any of the options quoted above appears, then your software supports HP-GL/2. If it doesn’t support HP-GL/2, then go to Preference 8.

Preference 9: HP 7586B

This plotter supports HP-GL. However, if you choose this device you may not be able to use you plotter’s parallel connection – depending on the application software.

Getting help

If in doubt, or if you have problems with your driver, refer to the section at the end of chapter 4 for advice on how to get help.

1–25

Setting up your plotter

T ask 10: Send a sample or demo plot

Task 10: Send a sample or demo plot

T o verify a successful configuration, choose a sample plot in your application and try to print it on the plotter.

In case of problems, refer to chapter 9 of this manual, “Troubleshooting”. To test whether the source of any problem is in the plotter itself or in the link with your application, it is useful to print the plotter’s internal demonstration plot.

To print the demonstration plot

1 If media is not already loaded, load roll media or a sheet, as explained in

Chapter 2, which also provides advice on the availability and use of different media types.

Press simultaneously the two keys:

Setup

Continue

Plotting

The demonstration plot summarizes the plotter’s main features and includes a sample CAD drawing, using a variety of line widths and colors. It is printed in the language currently configured in the Setup Sheet. T o change it, see task 6.

1–26

Caring for your media 2–2 Choosing media 2–2 Before loading media 2–7 Before sending your file 2–7 Loading sheet media 2–9 Loading roll media 2–17 Loading a sheet with the roll-feed option installed 2–26 Unloading media 2–27

MEDIA

Working with media

2–1

Working with media

Caring for your media / Choosing media

Caring for your media

If your plotter includes the roll-feed and legs option, make sure the media deflector is installed between the plotter’s legs, so that uncut media doesn’t drag on the floor.

Handle film and glossy media by the edges or wear cotton gloves. Skin oils can interact with ink and cause it to smear.

Choosing media

Your plotter supports many types of paper and other media types, and can operate both with sheets and, if the roll-feed option is installed, with rolls. Choosing the best media type for your requirements is the first – and most important – step in ensuring good print quality.

350C

For color printing, although most supported media types are suitable, some not recommended. For details, see the table on page 2–5.

When choosing between opaque paper types for monochrome printing, be aware that you will use significantly less ink printing on coated paper types than on normal opaque bond.

Whenever you load a roll or a sheet, you must check that the media type specified on the plotter’s front-panel is correct for the media type you are loading. It is essential for good print quality to specify this correctly. See the table on page 2–3.

You should also be aware of which print quality setting (best, normal or fast) you are using. You can set this either from your software or from the plotter’s front panel. The combination of media type and print quality settings automatically tells the plotter how to place the ink on the media – for example, in terms of density and number of passes of the cartridges. For more details, see the tables on pages 2–5 and 2–6.

For the best-quality plots, use HP media, as your plotter’s configuration is optimized for it and tested with it. For details of HP media, see page 10–18 and

any separate HP media literature supplied with the plotter.

2–2

(Plain light on)

350C

Working with media

Choosing media

Supported media types and relative costs

Media type selection on the front panel

Plain

Coated (Coated light

on)

Film (Film light on)

Glossy (Film and Coated lights

on)

your HP dealer or local HP Sales and Support Office.

2 HP Special InkJet paper and HP Heavyweight Special InkJet Paper are

DesignJet 330 and 350C plotters.

From time to time, new media types may become available. Up-to-date information is available from

Glossy media types are not supported on the HP DesignJet 330.

Supported HP media

HP Opaque Bond Plain paper

HP Translucent Bond Low HP Natural Tracing Paper Tracing paper

HP Vellum Moderate HP Coated Paper Color inkjet paper

HP Heavyweight Coated Paper Heavyweight color inkjet paper

HP Matte Film Poly matte film

HP Clear Film Translucent film

HP High-Gloss White Film High

Non–HP media also known as ...

Plotter paper

Extra translucent bond

Matte paper Presentation

Heavyweight matte paper

Matte polyester Mylar

Clear polyester

not

supported on the HP

Relative cost

Low

Moderate

Low/ moderate

Moderate

High

MEDIA

2–3

Working with media

Choosing media

Physical characteristics of media types

Physical characteristics

Matte

HP media

HP Opaque Bond Wood-pulp Opaque Matte No HP Translucent Bond Wood-pulp Semi-opaque Matte No HP Natural Tracing

Paper HP Vellum Cotton-fiber Semi-opaque Matte No HP Coated Paper Wood-pulp Opaque Matte Yes HP Heavyweight

Coated Paper

Base Opacity

Glossy

Special coated side for plotting?*

350C

HP Matte Film Polyester Semi-opaque Matte Yes HP Clear Film Polyester Clear — Yes HP High-Gloss White

Film * See page 2–10.

Polyester Opaque Glossy Yes

2–4

Working with media

Choosing media

350C

Recommended print-quality settings and recommended media for color plots

Print quality

(set either on the front panel

or in the software)

HP media Fast Normal Best

HP Opaque Bond OK for monochrome, but color for CAD

drawings only

HP Translucent Bond OK for monochrome, not recommended for

color HP Natural Tracing Paper OK for monochrome, but color for CAD HP Vellum HP Coated Paper OK HP Heavyweight Coated Paper HP Matte Film HP Clear Film HP High-Gloss White Film Not

The limitation on the use of non-coated media for color really depends on: D the amount of area fill in your drawing (the more there is, the less likely that

the print quality on opaque bond will be satisfactory),

D the quality of the media.

rawings only

recommended

OK for color; not recommended for monochrome

MEDIA

2–5

Working with media

Choosing media

Typical media-type choices by application

Application Use T ypical choice of media Probable choice of

print quality

CAD monochrome

CAD* and GIS

color

350C

Imaging and graphics packages

color

350C

Drafts Opaque bond

Translucent bond Natural tracing paper Vellum

Final versions Opaque bond

Matte or clear film

Archives Vellum

Matte or clear film

Diazo reproductions Translucent bond

Natural tracing paper Vellum Matte film

Drafts Opaque bond

Natural tracing paper Vellum Coated paper

Final versions Coated paper

Heavyweight coated paper (for durability)

Matte film Clear film

Archives Matte film

Clear film Overlays Clear film Fast or Normal Matte Opaque bond (for drafts)

Coated paper

Heavyweight coated paper

(for durability) Gloss High-gloss white film Normal or Best Clear film Clear film (colors not optimized for

this media type)

Fast or Normal Fast or Normal Fast or Normal Fast or Normal

Normal or Best Normal or Best

Best Best

Normal or Best Normal or Best Normal or Best Normal or Best

Fast or Normal Fast or Normal

Normal or Best Normal or Best

Normal or Best Fast or Normal

Best Normal

Fast, Normal or Best Fast, Normal or Best Normal or Best

Best

* CAD = Computer-Aided Design GIS = Geographical Information Systems

2–6

Before loading media

Specify whether you are going to load a sheet or a roll

Working with media

Before loading media / Before sending your file

MEDIA

On the front panel, if the the plotter believes you are loading a roll. If it is off, it believes you are loading a sheet.

T o toggle between the two settings, press the

Roll/Sheet key.

Roll light on,

Before sending your file

Specify the media type

Press the light comes on against the name of the media type you are going to load. For an explanation of which media type category on the front panel should be used for each supported media type, see the table on page 2–3.

Media T ype key until the

Roll

Roll/Sheet

Media

Type

350C

Note that, if your software printer driver allows you specify media type, you must specify it correctly there as well.

T o select Glossy, press the Media Type key until both the Film and Coated lights are on.

2–7

Working with media

Before sending your file

Specify the print quality setting

Press the

Print Quality key until the

light comes on against the print quality setting you require.

For details of each print quality setting, see the table on page 3–15.

Quality

Alternatively, you can specify the print quality setting from your software printer driver. In this case, the driver’s setting is used for the next plot. During the plot, the front-panel setting changes temporarily to that from the driver, and then resumes its previous setting again.

2–8

Working with media

Loading sheet media

To load a sheet (without the roll-feed option installed)

T o learn how to load a sheet correctly first time, follow steps 1 through 7.

When you load a sheet, the plotter checks that it is correctly aligned. If it is very badly aligned, the plotter flashes an error on the front panel, as explained in step 8 below , and you must try again. If your alignment is almost correct, you have a chance to re-align it, as explained in steps 8 and 9 below.

1 If your plotter has no legs, you’ll find it easier if it is positioned at the edge of the

table.

Which way round?

You can load a sheet in either portrait or landscape orientation.

portrait landscape

MEDIA

Unless using the Rotate option (see page 3–7), load the sheet in the same orientation as you have specified in your software. If you are loading an A- or A4-size sheet, portrait orientation is recommended.

2–9

350C

Working with media

Loading sheet media

3 Which side down? As you load the sheet, it is the underside on which the plotter

will print. With most media types, the two sides are different and so it is important to load the sheet correctly.

Media T ype Which side down?

Opaque bond Translucent bond Natural tracing paper Vellum

Coated paper Heavyweight coated paper

Matte film Load with the matte side down. Clear film Load with the rougher side down. High-gloss white film Load with the rougher side down.

Both sides are the same. If the sheet is curled, load with the curl up.

Load with the coated side down. On HP Coated Paper and Heavyweight Coated

Paper, look for the small notch in the corner: D When loading in a portrait orientation, make

sure the notch is on the right side of the leading edge.

D When loading in a landscape orientation, make

sure the notch is on the left side of the leading edge.

2–10

Hold the sheet by its edges, about 18 cm (7 in) from the top.

Don’t hold the sheet right at the top, as you would have to adjust your grip as you push the sheet into the plotter, and this would probably make you misalign it.

Don’t place your hands flat on the surface of the sheet (as is normal when loading a sheet into some old pen plotters), as this would make step 7 very difficult for you.

Working with media

Loading sheet media

MEDIA

Align the right-hand side of the sheet with the line of holes on the plotter.

Make sure the entire top edge of the sheet – left and right – is placed inside the entry slot, especially if the sheet is wider than A- or A4-size.

2–11

Working with media

Loading sheet media

IMPORTANT. While keeping the right-hand side aligned with the line of

holes, push the sheet in one swift and decisive movement up into the entry slot. Try to keep the angle of the sheet the same as the angle of the slot.

1750

Three things will happen in quick succession:

1 You will feel the sheet come up against the

media stops.

2 The sheet may buckle slightly, as you are still

pushing it. This is normal.

3 The plotter will start to take the sheet from

you.

Don’t touch the sheet

At this point, let go!

while the plotter feeds it out again a short way, as this would probably misalign it.

2–12

Working with media

Loading sheet media

The plotter takes about a minute to check the alignment. While it’s doing this,

Ready light on the front panel flashes.

the

MEDIA

either the

Ready light

stops flashing, but stays on:

Ready

Alignment good – ready to plot!

Wait until ...

or the Load Media lights starts flashing:

Load Media

Alignment close. Either realign the sheet manually, as explained in the next section, or press

Cancel to start again

from step 4 on page 2–11.

Ready

or the

Error and Load

Media

lights start

flashing:

Load Media Error

* Alignment bad. The plotter has rejected the sheet. Simply remove it and start again from step 4 on page 2–11. (There’s no need to press any key.)

* There is another reason why these two lights may flash: the sheet may be an invalid size. For supported media sizes, see page 10–3. With very small supported sizes (B/A3-loaded in landscape or A/A4-size loaded in any orientation), there’s no middle option above: unless the alignment is good, you have to remove the sheet and start again.

2–13

Working with media

Loading sheet media

To realign the sheet manually (if necessary)

If the Load Media light is flashing without

Error light flashing, the plotter is

the inviting you to realign the media manually.

1 Raise the cover. The

bail (the black metal bar) is raised automatically .

2 Lower the green media

lever to release the media.

Load Media

2–14

1801a

Working with media

Loading sheet media

Align the edges of the media coming out of the plotter with the same edges

going into the plotter, by pulling them taut and aligning them by eye. For A3 sized media, if the roll-feed deflectors are fitted, you may find it easier if you move them out of the way.

MEDIA

1918

1 Raise the green media

lever.

2 Lower the cover.

1801b

2–15

Working with media

Loading sheet media

The plotter checks the alignment again. While it’s doing this, the Ready light on the front panel flashes.

Ready

Wait until ...

either the

Ready light stops

flashing, but stays on:

Ready

Alignment good – ready to plot!

or the Error and Load Media lights start flashing:

Load Media Error

Alignment bad. The plotter has rejected the sheet. Simply remove it and start again from step 4 on page 2–11.

Notice that you have only one chance to realign the media

manually. If it’s still not right after the realignment, you have to load it again.

2–16

Working with media

Loading roll media

To change the roll

You can order spare spindles as accessories – see page 10–17. In this way, you can keep different rolls on different spindles and make this task easier. However, except where noted, this section assumes that you are using the same spindle for both the old and the new roll.

1 Be sure the plotter wheels are locked (the brake lever pressed down) to prevent the

plotter from moving.

MEDIA

WARNING

In the next step (see next page):

Don’t touch the stainless steel strip that runs the length of the plotter behind the cartridge carriage; its edge is very sharp.

Keep hair, jewelry, clothing, and foreign objects away from the plotter mechanisms.

2–17

Working with media

Loading roll media

If the old roll is not used up, then remove the media from the media path, as explained here.

1 Raise the cover. 2 Lower the green media lever to release the media. 3 The bail (the black metal bar) should automatically rise when you raise the

cover.

4 Turn the roll on the spindle to wind the media out of the plotter and onto the

roll.

5 Raise the green media lever and then lower the cover.

1920

2–18

Working with media

Loading roll media

Remove the old roll by pulling firmly first on the left end of the spindle and then on the right. You may find that you have to push your thumbs against the cover of the roll-feed assembly while pulling the roll with your fingers to be able to release the spindle.

MEDIA

If the new roll is on a different spindle, then you can skip steps 4 and 5, and go straight to step 6.

Remove the left media stop, and then remove the roll from the spindle, with the right media stop still connected to the spindle.

1922a

2–19

Working with media

Loading roll media

Remove the new roll from its wrapping, Place it on the spindle, so that, as the media winds up from behind the roll, the media stop still on the spindle is on the right. Push the right media stop so that it is flush against the end of the roll (2 in the graphic below). Then insert the left media stop on the left end of the spindle.

1922b

1930

WARNING

Put the loaded spindle back in the plotter, pushing first the right side into place and then the left.

1921a

Make sure that each end of the spindle slots firmly into place with an audible “click”.

It is important to make sure that the spindle is firmly in place, otherwise it could fall off the plotter.

2–20

Working with media

Loading roll media

To feed roll media into the plotter

1 If the leading edge of the roll is uneven, you may find it easier to load if you trim it

now , for example with scissors. However, once it is successfully loaded, you can use the plotter’s built-in cutter to trim it, as explained in step 10 below.

Wind the media around the upper roller and hold it ready to load into the plotter. Hold the media by its edges, about 18 cm (7 in) from the top.

1923a

Don’t hold the media right at the top, as you would have to adjust your grip as you push it into the plotter, and this would probably make you misalign it.

Don’t place your hands flat on the surface of the media (as is normal when loading media into some old pen plotters), as this would make step 5 very difficult for you.

MEDIA

1928

Media path (view from right)

Align the right-hand side of the media with the line of holes on the plotter.

2–21

Working with media

Loading roll media

4 Make sure the entire leading edge of the roll – left and right – is placed inside the

entry slot.

IMPORTANT. While keeping the right-hand side aligned with the line of

holes, push the media in one swift and decisive movement up into the entry slot. Try to keep the angle of the sheet the same as the angle of the slot.

1923

Three things will happen in quick succession:

1 You will feel the media come up against the media stops. 2 The media may buckle slightly, as you are still pushing it. This is normal. 3 The plotter will start to take the media from you.

At this point, let go!

Don’t touch the media while the plotter feeds it out again a short way, as this would probably misalign it.

2–22

Realigning the media is an essential, not optional, part of the roll-loading procedure.

So, even if you align the media perfectly when loading it, you must still go through the motions of realigning it.

Working with media

Loading roll media

Load Media

MEDIA

When the plotter is waiting for you to realign the media, as explained below.

1 Raise the cover. 2 This automatically raises the bail (the black metal bar). 3 Lower the green media lever to release the media.

Load Media light is flashing, the

1924

2–23

Working with media

Loading roll media

Align the edges of the media coming out of the plotter with the same edges going into the plotter, by pulling them taut with both hands and aligning them by eye. Make sure that the right-hand side of the media is aligned with the line of holes on the plotter (

), the top roller () and the roll (). You may need to

manually unroll a small amount of the media from its roll, to align the sheet satisfactorily.

9 Raise the green media lever.

2–24

While the cover is open, the plotter will pause, waiting for you to trim the front edge of the roll.

Trim the roll, as follows. Holding the front edge of the media taut, on the left adjacent the cutter, slide the cutter from left to right and then back again.

MEDIA

11 Lower the cover.

2–25

Working with media

T o load a sheet with the roll-feed option installed

To load a sheet with the roll-feed option installed

From time to time you may want to load a separate sheet even though you normally use a roll – for example, to use the setup sheet.

1 If a roll is currently loaded in the plotter, unload it as explained on page 2–18,

remembering to raise the green media lever again when it’s done.

On the front panel, make sure the Roll light OFF, to indicate that you are going to load a sheet.

Roll

(OFF)

Roll/Sheet

3 Load the sheet as explained in the steps starting with step 2 on page 2–9.

2–26

recom-

350C

Working with media

Unloading media

Drying time

On some media types, the ink needs to dry before the plot is unloaded. Since the plotter knows which media type you are using, it allows the appropriate drying time to elapse before the plotting process is complete – for example, before the

Load Media light comes on to let you know you can unload a plotted sheet.

T ypical Drying Times (minutes)

Print Quality

Fast Normal

HP Media T ype

HP Opaque Bond 0.5 1.5

HP Translucent Bond 0.5 1.0

HP Natural Tracing Paper 0.5 1.0

HP Vellum 1.0 3.0

HP Coated Paper 0 0.25

HP Heavyweight Coated Paper 0 0.25

HP Matte Film Not

HP Clear Film

HP High-Gloss White Film Not

mended

recom-

mended

or Best

4.0

MEDIA

Notice that you can unload some media types immediately.

2–27

To unload a sheet at the end of a plot

When the Load Media light comes on (not flashing), the plot is finished.

Then simply pull the sheet downwards to remove it from the plotter.

Working with media

Unloading media

Load Media

To unload a sheet under any other circumstances

Press Form Feed, wait for the sheet to be ejected and them simply pull it downwards to remove it from the plotter.

2–28

Form Feed

1751

Working with media

Unloading media

To cut and unload a plot from a roll

If the roll-feed option is installed, your plotter includes a built-in cutter. You may choose to cut the roll between plots, or at the end of a series of plots, as explained here.

There are two alternative plotting modes:

Pause mode. The plotter pauses between plots for you to cut the plot from the roll (the default mode).

Continuous Plotting mode. The plotter does not pause between plots.

MEDIA

CAUTION

In Continuous Plotting mode, when you are cutting the roll after the last of a series of plots, another plot sent to the plotter could start printing while you are cutting. If this is likely, Pause mode, rather than Continuous Plotting mode, is recommended.

T o switch between the two modes, press the time, except when it has paused and is waiting for you to cut a plot from the roll.

While the plotter is in Continuous Plotting mode, the

Continue Plotting key at any

Roll light flashes.

Continue

Plotting

Roll

2–29

To cut and unload a plot from a roll in Pause mode

Working with media

Unloading media

This mode is the default, and is indicated by the

When the plot is finished, the Ready light stops flashing and goes off.

Holding the media taut on the left, adjacent to the cutter, slide the cutter

from left to right and then back again, to cut the plots from the roll.

Roll light not flashing.

Ready Roll

2–30

Working with media

Unloading media

Press Continue Plotting to confirm that you’ve cut it.

Ready light comes on to confirm

The that the plotter is ready for the next plot.

To cut and unload a plot from a roll in Continuous Plotting mode

Continue

Plotting

Ready Roll

MEDIA

This mode is indicated by the

When the plot is finished, the Ready light stops flashing, but stays on to confirm that the plotter is ready for the next plot.

Roll light flashing.

Ready Roll

2–31

1 If the plotter has finished the series of

plots and you want to cut the roll after the last one, press

Form Feed and wait

for the plotter to feed out more media.

Before cutting the roll (as explained next), make sure that no other plot has been sent to the plotter.

2 Holding the media taut on the left,

adjacent to the cutter, slide the cutter from left to right and then back again, to cut the plots from the roll.

Form Feed

3 There’s no need to press any other keys.

2–32

Ways to control the plot’s appearance 3–2 Page size 3–3 Rotating a plot 3–7 Plotting a mirror image 3–10 Changing the treatment of overlapping lines (Merge feature) 3–11 Changing the plotter’s logical pen characteristics 3–12 Printing color drawings in monochrome 3–13 Choosing an appropriate print quality 3–15

PLOT

APPEARANCE

Controlling your plot’s appearance

3–1

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Ways to control the plot’ s appearance

Ways to control the plot’s appearance

Note. Throughout this chapter there are references to “pens”. The pens referred to

are not the plotter’s physical print cartridges, but “logical” pens used in a software palette.

This chapter discusses the ways in which you can control the appearance of your plots, in terms of:

page size plot orientation the treatment of overlapping lines pen characteristics (widths and color/grayscale levels) rendering color drawings in monochrome overall print quality and resolution

Apart from print quality, these controls are only available using the setup-sheet, an example of which is shown on page 1–21. Print quality can be changed from the front panel. This chapter explains the controls in the same order as in the list above.

Changing the settings of these controls using the Setup Sheet is explained from page 1–19.

It is also possible to change these settings within many applications and many software drivers. In some cases, the plotter is in control, in some cases the application or software driver is in control, and in other cases, the plotter interacts with the application or software driver. Which is the case in which circumstances is made clear in this chapter.

3–2

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Page size

The Page size option applies only when using roll media, and is used to define the way in which the plotter emulates a sheet of media when printing your plot. This section explains how to make sure that the plotter prints your plot in the page size you want.

MediaTerminology

Page size

Margin

Plotting area

Inked area

PLOT

APPEARANCE

0023

Page size This is what you can specify in your software, where it may be called “Page Size”,

“Media Size”, “Paper Size” etc., and where the options include, for example, ISO A3, ANSI Letter, Architectural E, Custom, etc. Alternatively, it can be set by the plotter. By default, the plotted page size is set to the inked area (plus the margins).

In AutoCAD for DOS, however, the “User Size” is the plotting area.

Margins These are fixed for the HP DesignJet 330 and 350C. The values are 17 mm on the

leading and trailing edges and 5 mm on the sides.

Plotting area This is the chosen page size minus the margins. For a table showing the plotting

areas for standard media sizes, see page 10–7.

  This is the smallest rectangle that contains all the content of the drawing, while

maintaining its relative dimensions.

3–3

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Page size

When do you need to adjust the page size in the plotter?

Normally you don’t need to. The default setting in the plotter is:

Inked Area. With this setting, the plotter interacts with your application, or

software driver, and saves wasted media by using a page size equal to the inked area plus the margins (see page 3–3).

But, if you wish, you can specify the page size either from your software or by using the plotter’s Setup Sheet, as explained here.

If you want a printed page of the exact size that you have specified in your software, use the

With this setting, your application or your software driver is normally in control, but see the comment regarding this setting in the table on page 3–5.

See also the section on Page size and clipped plots on page 3–6. If you want your plots to be on a page meeting a specific standard (for example,

ISO or ANSI), but the actual size within that standard is not important, specify the

Best option for that standard.

Software setting in the Setup Sheet.

For example you may want a page size that conforms to the ISO standard, but not care whether the final page size is ISO A4 or ISO A3. In this case you should specify

Best within the ISO options.

With this setting, the plotter interacts with your application, or software driver, and uses the smallest standard page size into which the inked area, plus margins, will fit.

If you want all your plots on the same size paper, regardless of your plot size and software/driver settings, specify a discrete page size.

For example, you may want to print an ANSI A-size plot in the corner of an ANSI D-size page, leaving the rest of the page blank. In this case, specify within the ANSI options.

With this setting the plotter is in control of page size. See also the section on Page size and clipped plots on page 3–6.

3–4

()

if the inked area of the lot is between A3 and

JS / / 3/

Oversize A1/A2

Controlling your plot’s appearance

To adjust the page size in the Setup Sheet

Page size

Size in Setup Sheet

Inked area The plotted page size is the inked area plus

Software The plotter looks to your software for a page

ISO Best “Best ...” options

A0/A1/A2/A3/A4

ANSI Best

E/D/C/B/A

JIS Best

B1/B2/B3/B4

ARCH Best

E1/E/D/C/B/A

Oversize (No “Best” option)

Over A1/A2

Comments

margins. For a definition of “inked area”, see page 3–3.

size instruction in HP-GL/2 (the plotter’s graphics language instruction set). If it is there, the plotter uses that page size plus margins. If not, the plotted page size is the inked area plus margins.

The plotter chooses the smallest page size (from the ISO-series: A4, A3 etc.) that will hold the inked area of the plot. For example, if the inked area of the plot is between A3 and A4, the plotter chooses A3 as the page size.

screte options

ISO A0/A1/A2/A3/A4 ANSI E/D/C/B/A JIS B1/B2/B3/B4 ARCH E1/E/D/C/B/A

The plotted page size is exactly the size you specify. The largest discrete page size you can specify depends whether your plotter is an E-size or D-size model.

PLOT

APPEARANCE

3–5

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Page size

Page size and clipped plots

When setting your page size, be aware that with some combinations of page size and plot size, the plotter may print what it can, but may clip your plot:

If you specify in your software a page/plot size that is larger than the physical size of the media loaded in the plotter.

A2 media in the plotter

Clipped area

A1 page size in software

If you specify in software a page size setting that is too small for the plot, the plot will be clipped, even though the physical media size may be adequate.

If you specify a discrete page size in the Setup Sheet that is too small for the plot, the plot may be clipped, even though the physical media size may be adequate.

Page size specified in software

or in Setup Sheet

Clipped area

Physical roll media size

Full plot size

3–6

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Rotating a plot

Can you rotate any drawing using the Setup Sheet?

No. The Rotate option available in the Setup Sheet is applicable only if:

the file contains no raster data.

The normal line drawings of most CAD software do not contain raster data, and therefore you can use this Microsoft Windows drivers supplied with this plotter, your files do contain raster data and therefore you cannot use this

To rotate a plot using the plotter’s Setup Sheet

Providing your plot file does not contain raster data, you can rotate a plot using the Setup Sheet, without changing the drawing in your software.

Rotate option, However, if you are using one of the

Rotate option.

PLOT

APPEARANCE

The available options are:

Auto rotate (roll media only). With this setting, the plotter will automatically

rotate a plot by 90_, providing it will fit on the available media, if this will save media.

Rotate off. With this setting, the plotter will print your plot as requested by your

software, without adding any rotation. This is the default.

Rotate 90_. With this setting, the plotter will rotate all plots by 90_,

counterclockwise relative to the drawing’s orientation in your software:

Rotate off

Rotate 90_

3–7

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Rotating a plot

Exactly what is rotated?

With roll media, both the drawing and the page orientation are rotated.

Rotate off

Notice that the narrow margins are always at the side, regardless of the orientation.

With sheet media, the drawing is rotated, but the page orientation specified in your software is retained. (You should always load sheet media in the same orientation as you have specified in the software.)

Rotate off

Rotate 90_

0025

Rotate 90_

3–8

0026

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Rotating a plot

The Rotate feature and clipped plots

With either roll or sheet media, if you rotate to landscape a plot whose original orientation was portrait, the media may not be wide enough for the drawing, which may be clipped. For example, rotating by 90_ a portrait D/A1-size plot on D/A1-size media will probably result in a clipped plot. Clipping does not occur

Auto rotate, which checks whether the rotated plot will fit.

with

How does Rotate interact with your software?

The plotter adds the rotation setting to any rotation angle you specify in your software.

For software applications which, like the plotter, rotate counterclockwise (for example, CorelDRAW!) the result is the sum. For example, if your software specifies 180 degrees rotation, and you set your plot’s final rotation will be 270 degrees.

For software applications which rotate clockwise (for example, AutoCAD) the result is the difference. For example, if your software specifies 90 degrees rotation, and you set

Auto rotate behaves in the same way, if media could be saved.

Note that best-fit page size in the Setup Sheet (see page 1–19). However the effects may not be what you expect.

Auto rotate will rotate a plot to save media, even if you have chosen a

Rotate 90_ in the Setup Sheet, there will be no rotation.

Rotate 90_ in the Setup Sheet,

PLOT

APPEARANCE

3–9

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Plotting a mirror image

You can plot a mirror image of a drawing, using the Setup Sheet, without changing the drawing in your software,

The available options are:

Mirror off. With this setting, the plotter will print your plot as requested by your

software, without adding any mirroring. This is the default.

Mirror on. With this setting, the plotter will produce a mirror image of a

drawing, relative to the drawing’s orientation in your software:

Mirror off Mirror on

3–10

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Changing the treatment of overlapping lines (Merge feature)

The Merge feature provides two alternative settings for the treatment of overlapping lines in the Setup Sheet:

350C

330

Merge off.

A subsequent line hides a previous line where they overlap.

Merge off.

A subsequent line hides a previous line where they overlap.

Merge on.

Overlapping lines and area fills are merged.

Merge on.

Overlapping lines and area fills are merged.

PLOT

APPEARANCE

You can set this feature from your software in some applications, for example in AutoCAD.

3–11

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Changing the plotter’s logical pen characteristics

The characteristics of the plotter’s logical pens, referenced by your software, can be set either by software or by the settings for pens 1 through 8 in the Setup Sheet. The default is to use settings from the software.

Sometimes you may, for example, want to produce a set of drawings all with the same pen settings, but without having to change the software settings for the individual drawings. In this case you can choose to provide the pen settings from the plotter.

350C

330

If you want to provide your own settings in the plotter and use those, use the

Settings

Using this option, you can specify the

section in the Setup Sheet and select Use settings from tables below.

Width and Color/Grayscale of logical pens

Pen

1 through 8.

Item Available options

Pens 1 through 8. Width (mm) 0.13, 0.18, 0.25, 0.35, 0.50, 0.70, 1.00

Note that 0.13 mm is a one-pixel line width and renders

some colors as a dot pattern.

Grayscale (%) 100, 80, 60, 40, 20, 10, 5 Color Black, Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, Magenta, Cyan

For the HP DesignJet 330, only pen Width and Grayscale are available.

Once you have chosen your pen settings, you can change back to

from software

and your settings will be saved for future use if you require.

Use settings

Note. If you want to produce black and white drawings instead of grayscale, then, unless your driver has an option for this, choose

Use settings from tables below

and set all 8 pens to Black/100% Grayscale. If you are using one of the Windows drivers supplied with the plotter, you must set this in the driver since the driver overrides the

Pen Settings in the Setup Sheet.

3–12

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Printing color drawings in monochrome

You can successfully print color drawings in monochrome with either the HP DesignJet 330 or the HP DesignJet 350C.

330

350C

If you send a color file to the HP DesignJet 330 and your software settings are for printing in color, the plotter will automatically convert the plot to grayscale.

However, if your plotter is set to Setup Sheet grayscale levels used. If you want to control these yourself, you must select

Use settings from tables below and set them in the Setup Sheet, as described on

page 3–12.

The default setting with the HP DesignJet 350C is to print color as color. However, you may want to print a color drawing in monochrome, for example:

because you want a draft where color is not important, for example to check that the plot is not going to be clipped,

because you want a version for photocopying in monochrome.

Pen Settings (see page 3–12), you will have no control over the

Use settings from software (the default) in the

To switch from color to monochrome

With the HP DesignJet 350C, if your application or software driver has a color/mono setting, use this, since the Setup Sheet setting is normally overridden by software. If not, you can set the plotter to print in monochrome by selecting

Print color as grayscale in the Color/Mono section of the Setup Sheet.

PLOT

APPEARANCE

You can force a color plot to monochrome, regardless of the application/driver setting (except with the supplied Windows driver), by additionally setting the

Settings

The Setup Sheet setting also impacts the plotter’s internal demonstration plots.

Note that if there is no color information in your plot file, the plotter will print only a black and white plot, not grayscale.

to Use settings from tables below (see page 3–12).

Pen

3–13

Controlling your plot’s appearance

Printing color drawings in monochrome

Important points about monochrome printing

The monochrome plot will render colors as grayscales. If you want your plot printed in only black and white, then you should set all your logical pens to black, either in your software (easily achieved in CAD software by using a pen number that is 100% black) or in the Setup Sheet (see page 3–12).

With monochrome plotting, you have the option to choose between 300 and 600 dpi resolution (see page 3–15).

350C

330

– With the HP DesignJet 350C, the resolution on glossy media is always 300 dpi. This is because, with the performed using the cyan, yellow and magenta cartridges; the black cartridge is not used.

– With the HP DesignJet 330, glossy media is not supported.

Glossy media type selected, all printing is

3–14

Most

600

600 dpi

350C

330

Controlling a plot’s overall appearance

Choosing an appropriate print quality

You can control the overall print quality of your plot from the plotter’s front panel.

Resolution

Print Quality Speed Ink Used Monochrome Color

Fast Highest Least 300 x 300 dpi. Normal Normal Best Lowest

Except for glossy media types, on which the resolution is

always 300 dpi.

Note that glossy media types are not supported on the HP DesignJet 330.

300 x 300 dpi.

PLOT

APPEARANCE

The exact printing process used by the plotter varies not only with your print quality setting, but also with your specification of the media type when loading the media (see page 2–3). Recommended combinations of print quality and media type are given in the table on page 2–5.

Recommended media types for various applications are given in the table on page 2–6.

General tips By choosing Fast, you will get draft-quality output in the shortest time. By choos-

Normal, and a suitable media type, you will get high-quality output in a

ing reasonable time. By choosing

Best, you will get the highest possible quality for

the media type, but the printing time will be longer.

3–15

Controlling a plot’s overall appearance

Choosing an appropriate print quality

To change the print quality on the front panel

Use the front-panel

Print Quality key to

toggle between the three print quality settings.

For details of each print quality level, see the table on the previous page.

Both ON = Best

Fast

Normal

Quality

The setting also impacts the plotter’s internal demonstration plots.

You cannot change the print quality setting for a plot already received by the plotter.

3–16

To cancel a plot 4-2 To copy a plot 4-2 To advance the media 4-3

PLOT4MANAGEMENT

Managing your plots

4–1

Managing your plots

T o copy a plot / To copy a plot

To cancel a plot

T o cancel the current plot while it is being received, or while it is printing,

Cancel.

press

The canceled plot stays in memory until you send another, and so you can subsequently use again. Note that, for these purposes, any internal plot (see chapter 5) counts as another plot.

Replot to print it

Cancel

To copy a plot

T o print another copy of the last plot,

Replot.

press

It will be printed with the same settings for

Quality

you’ve changed them on the front panel.

Replot does not work if:

another file has already been sent to the plotter (including internal plots, for example the Setup Sheet), or

you have switched the plotter off and on again since first sending the plot.

4–2

Media T ype and Print

as the original copy, even if

Replot

To advance the media

Managing your plots

T o advance the media

Pressing the Form Feed key advances the media out of the media exit slot.

Form Feed

You may want to do this:

when the plotter is in Continuous Plotting mode, you have reached the end of a series of plots and want to cut the roll after the last one (see page 2–31), or

to eject damaged media after clearing a media jam (see page 9–5).

There is no need to use

Form Feed to unload a plotted sheet from the plotter – see

page 2–28.

Don’t press

Form Feed while a file is being received by the plotter, as this

terminates the data transmission (unless you are doing this as part of a troubleshooting routine – see page 9–9).

PLOT4MANAGEMENT

4–3

4–4

Their purpose and how to print them 5-2 Using the Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet 5-3 Using the Color Cartridge Test Sheet 5-7

INTERNAL

PLOTS

Special internal plots

5–1

Special internal plots

Their purpose and how to print them

Various pre-defined plots are supplied with your plotter. You can print these by pressing keys, or combinations of keys, on the plotter’s front panel.

See

Plot Purpose To print it, press ...

Setup Sheet To configure the

plotter

Setup

page ...

1–19 and chapter 3

350C

Demonstration Plot

Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet

Color Cartridge Test Sheet

Service Configuration Plot

Print Quality Plot * *

To test the plotter 1–26

Setup

simultaneously

To test the alignment between the two horizontal cartridge movements.

To test the performance and alignment of all cartridges

* *

Setup Replot+

Cancel

simultaneously

Form

Feed

simultaneously

Media

Type

Quality

Continue

Plotting

Continue

Plotting

Roll/

Sheet

5–3

5–7

* These plots are essentially for use by a qualified service engineer, if troubleshooting the plotter. You may be asked to print one and read out some details over the phone.

5–2

Special internal plots

Using the Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet

Some of the circumstances in which it is useful to use the Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet are explained in chapter 9,“Troubleshooting”. It tests the alignment between the two horizontal cartridge movements – movement to the right and movement to the left – and allows you to correct any misalignment.

Load a sheet of A-size or A4-size plain paper, in portrait orientation. Make sure you have selected (see page 2–3). For this plot, the plotter sets the print quality level automatically.

Plain as the media type on the front panel

INTERNAL

PLOTS

Plot will be on underside.

For help on how to load a sheet, either refer to the pictures on the right-hand side of the plotter’s media-entry slot, or see the section starting on page 2–9. Note that you cannot print the Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet on roll media. To load a sheet with the the roll-feed option installed, see page 2–26.

1750

5–3

Special internal plots

Using the Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet

When you have correctly loaded the sheet (when the press the

Ready light is on and steady),

Setup and Replot keys

Setup + Replot

simultaneously.

The Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet is printed. An example is shown on page 5–5.

3 When the Load Media light comes on (not flashing), the plot is finished. Simply

remove the sheet from the plotter.

4 Follow the instructions on the sheet itself. As you will see, this involves you

identifying the straightest set of vertical lines in each of the two boxes.

5 If the straightest sets are already the current selection, you need do nothing more.

If not, then mark the appropriate ovals, reverse the sheet as indicated, and reload it.

When the Ready light comes on, press

Setup.

The plotter now reads your marks and adjusts itself automatically.

5–4

Setup

Ready

Special internal plots

Using the Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet

HP DesignJet 330/350C

In each of the two large boxes, mark the best set of lines by filling in the oval.

Jagged lines = bad Straight lines = good Current Best

Black Cartridge

Alignment Sheet

Pencil or black pen

INTERNAL

PLOTS

Ready

Setup

7 When the Load Media light comes on again, remove the sheet and make sure that

the plotter has marked your selections with a check mark.

5–5

Special internal plots

Using the Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet

Three important points concerning the Black Cartridge Alignment Procedure:

Always use the Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet immediately after printing it. Never re-use a Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet.

Any plot that was in the plotter’s memory before you printed the Black Cartridge Alignment Sheet has been lost and so, to print it, you must resend it.

5–6

Special internal plots

Using the Color Cartridge Test Sheet

350C

Using the Color Cartridge Test Sheet

Some of the circumstances in which it is useful to use the Color Cartridge T est Sheet are explained in chapter 9,“Troubleshooting”. It achieves two objectives:

It tells you which cartridge, if any, is not performing correctly. It lets you check the alignment of the four cartridges to each other and, if

necessary, adjust it.

Load a sheet of A-size or A4-size plain paper, in portrait orientation. Make sure you have selected (see page 2–3). For this plot, the plotter sets the print quality level automatically.

Plain as the media type on the front panel

INTERNAL

PLOTS

Plot will be on underside.

For help on how to load a sheet, either refer to the pictures on the right-hand side of the plotter’s media-entry slot, or see the section starting on page 2–9. Note that you cannot print the Color Cartridge Test Sheet on roll media. To load a sheet with the the roll-feed option installed, see page 2–26.

1750

5–7

Special internal plots

Using the Color Cartridge Test Sheet

When you have correctly loaded the sheet (when the press the

Ready light is on and steady),

Continue Plotting keys

Form Feed

Continue

Plotting

simultaneously.

The Color Cartridge T est Sheet is printed.

An example is shown on page 5–9.

3 When the Load Media light comes on (not flashing), the plot is finished. Simply

remove the sheet from the plotter.

Notice that there are two parts, related to two quite distinct tasks:

The part headed

T o check the nozzles lets you see if any of the cartridges is

not printing correctly. It is to be used when cleaning the nozzles (priming) – see page 7–7. Some examples of the patterns when a cartridge is not printing correctly are shown here:

White streak

White gaps

5–8

1002

HP DesignJet 350c, DesignJet 330 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual