Xi Repro System
INSTRUCTION HANDBOOK
ALWAYS read this Instruction Handbook thoroughly before use.
After reading, maintain it in good condition and keep it together
with the Instruction Handbook for your copier.
Published in July '98
3AC80061
Revision 1
Preface
Xi Repro System is designed to connect a large format digital copier to
a computer to be used as a plotter controller system.
This handbook describes how to use the software and applications
included in Xi Repro System.
Please refer to the instruction handbook of the large format digital
copier for information about the installation and use of the copier.
Notes
• The contents of this handbook is subject to change without notice.
• No part of this handbook may be reproduced or transmitted, in any form,
without the prior written permission of Mita Industrial Co., Ltd.
Microsoft Windows NT is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the
USA.
Pentium Pro is a trademark of Intel Corporation in the USA.
All other brand names and trade names used in this handbook are trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTENTS
1. Overview
1.1 Features ..............................................................................1-2
1.2 System configuration ..........................................................1-3
1.3 Product components ...........................................................1-4
1.4 System requirements ..........................................................1-6
2. System Installation
2.1 Connecting the machines ...................................................2-3
2.2 Installing Xi Repro System ..................................................2-4
2.3 Setting the copier ................................................................2-5
2.4 Checking operation .............................................................2-8
2.5 Other software ..................................................................2-10
3. Using Client
3.1 Starting and closing the application ....................................3-2
3.2 Creating and saving a project file........................................3-6
3.3 Sets/members tree..............................................................3-9
3.4 Creating and deleting a new set .......................................3-11
3.5 Inserting and deleting a plot ..............................................3-12
3.6 Displaying and editing a plot .............................................3-13
3.7 Inserting and deleting a stamp ..........................................3-17
3.8 Editing a stamp .................................................................3-18
3.9 Inserting and deleting a pen set ........................................3-19
3.10 Changing the order of the sets/members tree ..................3-20
3.11 Printing..............................................................................3-21
3.12 Scanning ...........................................................................3-24
3.13 Setting properties ..............................................................3-28
3.14 Setting options ..................................................................3-37
3.15 Default settings .................................................................3-42
CONTENTS
4. Using Admin
4.1 Starting and closing the application ....................................4-2
4.2 Cost Center tab ...................................................................4-6
4.3 Report tab ...........................................................................4-8
4.4 Scanner Sheet Size tab ....................................................4-10
4.5 About Box Edit tab ............................................................4-12
4.6 Device Data tab ................................................................4-13
4.7 Printer tab .........................................................................4-15
4.8 Scanner tab....................................................................... 4-17
5. Using Stamp
5.1 Starting and closing the application ....................................5-2
5.2 Creating and saving a stamp ..............................................5-5
5.3 Editing a stamp ...................................................................5-8
5.4 Checking the stamp ..........................................................5-12
6. Network Plotting
6.1 Setting the Remote Client ...................................................6-3
6.2 Setting the Local Client .......................................................6-7
6.3 Checking Remote Client operation .....................................6-8
6.4 Returning to local mode ....................................................6-10
7. Troubleshooting
7.1 Troubleshooting ..................................................................7-2
8. Specifications
8.1 Basic specifications............................................................. 8-2
8.2 Hardware specifications ......................................................8-4
8.3 Software specifications .......................................................8-5
8.4 Interface specifications .......................................................8-8
9. Appendices
9.1 The LittleBear driver............................................................ 9-2
9.2 Technical notes ...................................................................9-3
9.3 Pen patterns........................................................................ 9-4
9.4 Plot file formats ...................................................................9-6
1.
This section provides an overview of Xi Repro System.
1.1 Features
1.2 System configuration
1.3 Product components
1.4 System requirements
Overview
Overview
1. Overview
1.1 Features
Xi Repro System provides the interface between a large digital copier (hereafter
called “copier”) and computers to function as a plotter controller system.
Xi Repro System allows conversion and storage of scanned image data in a file;
handles tasks (including set number assignment and collating) on a computer when
printing plots; and produce copies of sets in collated order. Xi Repro System saves
the user the inconvenient, traditional tasks of plotting and collating paper documents.
Other features include:
• Easy-to-use Windows NT Graphical User Interface.
• TIFF files and HPGL/2 files can be added to a set.
• Reports of system usage.
1-2
Overview
1.2 System configuration
The system configuration is shown in Figure 1-1.
Xi Repro System is to be installed on a computer running Windows NT. When
connected to a copier via a PCI interface cable, a computer running this software
performs as a plotter server. In such a system configuration, this computer is called
the Local Client.
Computers that have this software installed and use the copier connected to the
Local Client are called Remote Clients.
The Local Client also provides Remote Client facilities.
Plotter controller system
Local Client
(Xi Repro System)
Windows NT
Interface
card
PCI interface cable
Remote Client
(Xi Repro System)
Windows NT
Remote Client
(Xi Repro System)
Windows NT
Remote Client
(Xi Repro System)
Windows NT
Interface
relay
PCB
Figure 1-1 System configuration
Digital copier
1-3
Overview
1.3 Product components
1.3.1 Supplied products
The following are supplied with the package.
• CD-ROM (1)
• Interface card
• PCI interface cable
• Relay PCB (2, used during installation)
• Relay cable (used during installation)
• Installation manual
1.3.2 CD-ROM
The supplied CD-ROM contains:
• Xi Repro System (the program for plotter controller)
• LittleBear Driver (the driver which communicates between copier and interface
card)
• Installer (program to install Xi Repro System and the LittleBear Driver)
1-4
1.3.3 Xi Repro System
Xi Repro System consists of the following four applications:
1. Client
The Client application provides Xi Repro System’s main facilities. Namely:
• Create a new set.
• Scan files into a set.
• Add to or delete from a set TIFF files, HPGL/2 files or other image files.
• Assign pen settings and plotting instructions to each file.
• Change printing order.
• Preview the contents of an image file before printing.
• Assign stamps to be applied to each plot.
• Print the requested number of copies of a file within a set.
• Delete a set.
2. Admin
The Admin application is a system management tool for defining each device
interfacing with Xi Repro System. This application also serves as a report
preparation tool to show system usage.
Overview
3. Stamp
The Stamp application is a tool for creating stamp files. Xi Repro System uses
such stamp files to place stamps onto copies of a plot that are being printed.
4. Server
The Server application is a tool for controlling the plotter/scanner and is installed
only on the Local Client. This application relays print/scan jobs from the Local
Client or print jobs from Remote Clients to the copier.
1-5
Overview
1.4 System requirements
The following is the minimum equipment required to use a system with Xi Repro
System:
• Copier
PointSource Xi 3648
• Computer
200 MHz Pentium Pro Processor
Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 (Service Pack 3 must be installed)
2 GB Hard Disk
128 MB RAM
PCI Bus
1-6
2.
This section describes the installation procedure.
2.1 Connecting the machines
2.2 Installing Xi Repro System
2.3 Setting the copier
2.4 Checking operation
2.5 Other software
System Installation
System Installation
2. System Installation
Figure 2-1 shows the system installation procedure for the Local Client. See
Network Plotting
for the installation procedure for the Remote Client.
Connecting the machines
Installing Xi Repro System
Setting the copier
Checking operation
Figure 2-1 System installation procedure
6.
2-2
System Installation
2.1 Connecting the machines
Perform the following steps to install the interface card and connect the machines.
1. Turn the power to both the computer and copier off.
2. Remove the computer cover. Locate an available PCI slot and remove its bracket
and screw.
3. Insert the interface card into the PCI slot by pressing it evenly until it sits correctly
in the slot. Check for correct insertion and secure the card with a screw.
4. Refit the computer cover.
5. Connect the PCI interface cable between the copier and computer.
6. Turn the power to the computer and copier on and then proceed to
Xi Repro System
.
2.2 Installing
2-3
System Installation
2.2 Installing Xi Repro System
1. Start Windows NT and close any unnecessary applications.
2. Insert the supplied CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive.
3. The Setup screen appears followed by the Welcome screen. Click on the “Next”
button.
4. The Choose Destination Location screen appears.
Click on the “Next” button.
5. The Setup Type screen appears.
Select the connected copier and click on the “Next” button.
Select “Client Software” to install Xi Repro System on a Remote Client.
6. The Select Components screen appears.
Select all the components under normal circumstances and click on the “Next”
button.
7. The Select Program Folder screen appears.
Click on the “Next” button.
The program group name can be changed to any desired name.
8. The Start Copying Files screen appears.
Click on the “Next” button.
9. The Setup Complete screen appears after installation is completed.
Remove the CD-ROM from the CD-ROM drive and click on the “Finish” button to
restart the computer automatically.
Proceed to
The installation program creates a program item in the Start menu. The program
group name is “Xi Repro System”, which contains three program items called Client,
Admin and Stamp. The plotter driver is installed in the Windows NT Printers folder at
the same time.
When uninstalling Xi Repro System, files in the C:\Program Files\Xi Repro System\
Plots directory may be deleted. Move any image files before uninstalling Xi Repro
System.
2.3 Setting the copier
.
2-4
System Installation
2.3 Setting the copier
Reset the offline status of the copier to use Xi Repro System.
Resetting the offline status of the copier
1. Press the added features key on the copier operation panel.
2. Press the mode set keys until the message “10. CONTROLLER MODE” appears.
Interrupt
ding
ling
Edge
Leading
Left
Margin
FUNCTION SETTING
10. CONTROLLER MODE
Enter
Memory
Copy
On-Line
→E
2-5
System Installation
3. Press the enter key.
Interrupt
ding
ling
Edge
Leading
Left
Margin
Enter
Memory
Copy
On-Line
4. Press the mode set keys until the message “2. EXIT OFF LINE” appears.
CONTROLLER MODE
2. EXIT OFF LINE
5. Press the enter key.
6. Press the mode set keys until the message “1. OFF LINE RELEASE” appears.
7. Press the enter key.
The offline status is reset and the on-line indicator on the operation panel turns
on.
8. Press the added features key. The “READY TO COPY” message appears on the
display of the operation panel.
2-6
System Installation
The copier cannot be controlled via the copier operation panel while resetting the
offline status. To control the copier via the operation panel, first press the on-line key
to turn the on-line indicator off.
The copier is in the on-line mode (the on-line indicator is on) after the offline status
has been reset. The copier automatically returns to the on-line mode if no copy is
made for a certain period while the copier is offline.
Check the following before starting to control the copier via Xi Repro System or the
copier operation panel.
• Controlling the copier via Xi Repro System
Check if the on-line indicator is on.
If the on-line indicator is off, turn it on by pressing the on-line key.
• Controlling the copier via the copier operation panel
Check if the on-line indicator is off.
If the on-line indicator is on, turn it off by pressing the on-line key.
2-7
System Installation
2.4 Checking operation
After the machines are connected, the Xi Repro System is installed and the setting of
the copier is complete, check for correct communication between the computer and
copier by performing the following steps.
1. Start Windows NT.
2. Open the Start menu by clicking on “Start” in the task bar.
3. Select “Programs” and “Xi Repro System”.
4. Click on “Client”.
The application starts and the project window appears.
2-8
System Installation
5. Select “Local System Status” from “View” in the menu bar.
6. The Local System Status screen appears. The “Status-OK” message is displayed
at the top right of the screen if communication is good.
7. Click on the “Close” button to close the screen.
Check the following if the “Status-OK” message is not displayed in the Local System
Status screen.
• Is the copier power turned on?
• Is the copier offline status reset?
• Is the copier on-line indicator turned on?
• Are there any error messages on the copier display?
• Is the PCI interface cable connected correctly?
• Is the interface card inserted correctly?
2-9
System Installation
2.5 Other software
2.5.1 Virus protection
Since files can frequently be loaded from floppy disks when using Xi Repro System,
installation of a virus protection application is highly recommended.
2.5.2 Image editor
Xi Repro System is capable of displaying images. High resolution images can also be
displayed by specifying the image editor in the option setting of Client.
3.6 Displaying and editing a plot
See
for details.
Notes
To use Xi Repro System on a network, ensure that the Windows NT network is
configured correctly.
To use Xi Repro System locally where no network adapter is installed, configure it as
follows.
1. Open the control panel and click on “Network” to install the network software. If
the network software is already installed, proceed to step 2. Restart Windows NT
after installation.
2. Open the control panel, click on “Network” and select the Adapter tab.
3. Click on the “Add” button and select MS Loopback Adapter. Select Ethernet
802.3 for the frame type.
4. Insert the Windows NT CD-ROM into the CD-ROM drive if requested.
5. Restart the computer.
2-10
3.
This section describes how to use Client.
3.1 Starting and closing the application
3.2 Creating and saving a project file
3.3 Sets/members tree
3.4 Creating and deleting a new set
3.5 Inserting and deleting a plot
3.6 Displaying and editing a plot
3.7 Inserting and deleting a stamp
3.8 Editing a stamp
3.9 Inserting and deleting a pen set
3.10 Changing the order of the sets/members tree
3.11 Printing
3.12 Scanning
3.13 Setting properties
3.14 Setting options
3.15 Default settings
Using Client
Using Client
3. Using Client
The Local Client and Remote Clients provide the same facilities except that Remote
Clients do not provide a scanner facility.
3.1 Starting and closing the application
3.1.1 Starting the application
Perform the following steps to start the application.
1. Click on “Start” in the task bar to open the start menu.
2. Select “Programs” and then “Xi Repro system”.
3. Click on “Client”.
The application starts and the project window appears.
3-2
3.1.2 Project window
This section describes the project window displayed when starting Client.
1
2
Using Client
3
4
8
5
1 Menu bar.
2 Toolbar.
3 Sets/members tree of a project.
4 Buttons for printing/scanning.
5 Buttons to change the placement of set members.
6 Box in which a plot thumbnail is displayed.
7 Box in which a message indicating Client activities is displayed.
8 Status bar. Displays information about the menu item indicated by the mouse.
6
7
3-3
Using Client
3.1.3 Select the units system
Perform the following steps to select the units system used in the application.
1. Click on “Tools” in the menu bar to open the Tools menu.
2. Click on “Options”.
3. Select the Preferences tab, then the units system to be used in “Units” (see
3.14.2 Preferences tab
).
3-4
3.1.4 Closing the application
Perform the following steps to close the application.
1. Click on “File” in the menu bar to open the File menu.
2. Click on “Exit”.
Using Client
3-5
Using Client
3.2 Creating and saving a project file
3.2.1 Creating a new project file
When Client is started, it creates a new project called “Untitled”.
A new project can also be created by either of the following methods:
• Click on “New” and then “Project” from “File” in the menu bar.
• Click on the
button in the toolbar.
3-6
3.2.2 Saving a project file
Using Client
1. Click on “Save” from “File” in the menu bar or the
2. Specify the directory, enter the filename and then click on the “Save” button. A
project is saved as a project file with the “.rfx” extension.
A project file is simply a list of the names of plots added to the sets/members tree; no
images or stamps to be printed are contained in the project file.
in the toolbar.
3-7
Using Client
3.2.3 Opening an existing project file
1. Click on “Open” from “File” in the menu bar or the
2. Select the project to be opened and click on the “Open” button. The project
window appears.
button in the toolbar.
3-8
Using Client
3.3 Sets/members tree
The sets/members tree in the project window shows the project file status visually.
Using Client, printing is enabled by adding an image file to the sets/members tree.
The Client application is used for adding a plot, stamp and pen set to and deleting
them from the sets/members tree and for defining print settings.
The figure below is an example of the sets/members tree to which image files and
other items have been added.
1
2
6
3
4
5
7
3-9