The PlotWare Utility is a setup program for the CalComp
DesignMate plotter. This utility provides a quick and easy
way to configure DesignMate from your host computer. Using the
PlotWare Utility, you can select your CAD package and have the
DesignMate automatically set to match the CAD package communication
requirements for plotting. Also, you can control such features as
scaling, orientation, units etc. remotely from your PC.
There are three important concepts to understand about PlotWare:
First, it links the DesignMate to the PC using the communication
protocol appropriate to the application package that you
specified.
Second, after the link is established, you must use PlotWare to
make all subsequent changes to the DesignMate settings. In
this way, the integrity of communication between PlotWare and
DesignMate is assured. For example, if you change CAD
packages, you must re-establish communications using this
utility.
Third, when choosing a CAD application from the list of
applications that PlotWare offers, the communication values in
the DesignMate are changed to support that CAD software. If
you use another package, e.g. change these values, DesignMate
cannot plot those CAD files until you go back into PlotWare
and change the CAD package selection.
INSTALLATION AND RUNNING PLOTWARE
The PlotWare Utility is most convenient to use if it is installed
on the same disk drive that contains the application/CAD program.
The PlotWare Utility and its associated files require approximately
610K of disk space.
To install and start the program, insert the PlotWare disk into a
floppy drive and log onto the drive where you installed the floppy.
At the floppy disk drive DOS prompt, type
install c: where c is the drive you want the
PlotWare Utility installed on.
Press Enter
and follow the instructions on the screen. The PlotWare Utility
starts automatically following successful installation.
RUNNING THE PLOTWARE UTILITY AFTER INSTALLATION
Log onto the disk drive that has the PlotWare directory. Change to
the PlotWare directory and at the DOS prompt, type PlotWare and
press Enter.
If you get a screen that states there is not enough free ram
available, your must remove whatever memory resident programs you
having occupying the memory. Check the DOS path statement for
possible candidates.
CREATING A HARD COPY MANUAL FOR PLOTWARE
If you have a printer connected to your PC, you can make a hard
copy of the help window material using the DOS print or copy
command. Enter the PlotWare directory and at the DOS prompt, type
print PlotWare.hlp
or
copy PlotWare.hlp lpt1
where lpt1 in the port connected to the printer on your PC.
Download Driver Pack
After your driver has been downloaded, follow these simple steps to install it.
Expand the archive file (if the download file is in zip or rar format).
If the expanded file has an .exe extension, double click it and follow the installation instructions.
Otherwise, open Device Manager by right-clicking the Start menu and selecting Device Manager.
Find the device and model you want to update in the device list.
Double-click on it to open the Properties dialog box.
From the Properties dialog box, select the Driver tab.
Click the Update Driver button, then follow the instructions.
Very important: You must reboot your system to ensure that any driver updates have taken effect.
For more help, visit our Driver Support section for step-by-step videos on how to install drivers for every file type.