Understanding the Print Management Process in AutoCAD
To effectively manage print settings and remove unwanted printers in AutoCAD, follow these organized steps. This guide focuses on the methods to remove print options and manage your printing preferences within AutoCAD.
Step 1: Accessing Print Options
- Launch AutoCAD and navigate to the command line.
- Type
OPTIONS
and hit Enter. - In the dialog box, locate the Plot and Publish tab. Here, you can adjust various print settings.
- Check the box that says Hide system printers. This will streamline your printer options and eliminate unnecessary clutter. Confirm your changes by clicking OK.
Step 2: Opening the Plotter Manager
- Enter
PLOTTERMANAGER
in the command line, or access it via the Application menu. - Select Printer and then choose Manage plotters.
- The Plotter Manager window will open, displaying all available printers and plotters associated with your AutoCAD setup.
Step 3: Removing Old Printers and Plotters
- In the Plotter Manager, you will see a list of current plotters.
- To remove old or unwanted plotters, right-click on the specific printer you wish to delete.
- Select Delete from the context menu. You may also navigate to File > Plotter Manager to manually find and delete .pc3 files related to obsolete plotters.
Step 4: Clearing the Print List
If you want to clear the print queue or list in AutoCAD:
- Ensure that your print job is finished or canceled.
- Go back to the Plot and Publish tab in the Options dialog.
- Use the Delete all command to clear old entries associated with print settings.
Step 5: Changing Default Printer Settings
- While still in the Options dialog, navigate back to the Plot and Publish tab.
- Under “Default plot settings for new drawings,” find the section labeled Use as default output device.
- Select your preferred printer from the drop-down list, ensuring it’s set as the default one for future projects.
- Confirm your selection by clicking OK.
Additional Printer Management Tips
- Verify that all printer and plotter configurations are correctly set for performance and quality.
- Utilize the Plotter Configuration Editor to adjust detailed properties, such as media type, graphics settings, and user-defined paper sizes.
- To easily navigate through older printer settings, make use of the AutoCAD help resources available, which provide extensive detail on printer management specific to AutoCAD 2025.
FAQs
What is the significance of using the Plotter Manager in AutoCAD?
The Plotter Manager is crucial for managing your printers and plotters effectively. It allows users to install, configure, and remove plotters, ensuring that the right devices are set up for different types of print jobs.
How can I reconfigure a plotter that isn’t working correctly?
If a plotter is not functioning as expected, revisit the Plotter Configuration Editor to adjust settings, such as port connections and output properties. Additionally, double-check that the drivers are up to date.
Can I restore a deleted printer configuration in AutoCAD?
Once a printer configuration is deleted from the Plotter Manager, it cannot be restored directly within AutoCAD. Users must re-add the printer configuration if needed, typically by reinstalling the required drivers or using configuration files.