How To Remove Plotters From AutoCAD?

Understanding Plotters in AutoCAD

Plotters are essential tools in AutoCAD, enabling users to produce hard copies of designs from digital drawing files. However, over time, it may be necessary to remove outdated or unused plotters from the system to streamline operation.

Removing Plotters from AutoCAD

To effectively remove plotters, follow these detailed steps:

1. Access the Plotter Manager:

   • Launch AutoCAD and type the command PLOTTERMANAGER into the command line.
   • Press Enter.
   • This opens the Plotters folder, where all registered plotters are accessible.

2. Identify the Plotter to Remove:

   • Browse through the list of plotters and find the one you wish to delete. Look for files ending with the .pc3 extension, which indicates they are plotter configuration files.

3. Delete the Unwanted Plotters:

   • Right-click on the desired plotter configuration file, and select the option to delete it.
   • Confirm the deletion when prompted to remove the plotter from your system.

4. Managing System Printers:

   • To hide unneeded system printers, access the Options dialog by typing OPTIONS into the command line and pressing Enter.
   • Navigate to the "Plot and Publish" tab.
   • Locate the section for managing displayed printers, and uncheck the boxes next to any printers you do not want shown.
5. Verify Removal:
   • After deleting the plotters and adjusting settings, it is advised to restart AutoCAD to ensure all changes are applied successfully.
   • Re-enter the PLOTTERMANAGER command to confirm that the unwanted plotters no longer appear in the list.

Setup of New Plotters

Adding new plotters follows a similar procedure:

1. Start the Add-a-Plotter Wizard:

   • Click on the "Application" menu, navigate to "Print", and select "Manage Plotters".

2. Follow the Wizard Steps:

   • Click on the Add-a-Plotter Wizard icon.
   • Choose "System Printer", and then select the printer you want to configure as a plotter.
3. Complete Configuration:
   • Follow the prompts to finalize the configuration, ensuring all settings align with your output requirements.

FAQ

Q1: What types of files are associated with plotters in AutoCAD?
A1: The primary files associated with plotters in AutoCAD are .pc3 files, which contain configuration settings, and .pmp files that store calibration data for specific plotter devices.

Q2: How can I check which plotters are currently installed in AutoCAD?
A2: To view installed plotters, simply access the Plotter Manager through the PLOTTERMANAGER command in AutoCAD, where all configuration files are listed.

Q3: Are there any risks in deleting plotters from AutoCAD?
A3: While deleting unneeded plotters typically will not affect your system’s performance, be cautious. Ensure you do not remove any plotters currently in use for ongoing projects, as this may disrupt printing and plotting tasks.