Support -> Sample College Curriculum -> Plot Manager Lesson 1 Instruction

Plot Manager - The plot manager is used by pattern makers to nest patterns to plot. It supports roll or sheet media types. It provides the user with rich collection of tools for nesting, copying arrangement, automatic lay and more. This lesson provides a step by step instruction on starting the plot manager from the PDS program, nesting, selecting media type and sending a plot job to a running Output Manager.

Step 1: Press the Pattern Plot Manager in the PDS program. If you select some patterns using the Control+Drag method before staring the Pattern Plot Manager, only those patterns are included in the plot.

Step 2: Press the Select All button to select all patterns.

Step 3: Press the Select All button to select all sizes. If you select the Stacked option, all sizes show up stacked (graded look) as opposed to the Scattered option where each size is separated.

Step 4: The plot manager has the similar toolset to the marking program. The slide tool allows the user to nest the pattern before plotting. This allows a lot of flexibility to the pattern maker while saving paper usage. The plot manager can send plotting directly to a plotter or send a plot job to a running output manager on the network. The Program Configuration setting is used to setup the computer name where the output manager is running.

Step 5: Select the Roll media type and define the paper width. Individual sheet media is supported also.

Step 6: Press the Auto Lay button. The plot manager save you time by pre arranging pieces. The arrangement can be performed per size. The Sectional Per Size option ensures there is a clear cutting gap between each plotted size. The Interleaved Section allows minimizes gap between sizes.

Step 7: Pattern placement method is almost exactly same as the one used in marking program. Drag a selection box around one or more pieces to pick them up.

Step 8: Pieces picked up follows the cursor around. A single left click places the pieces at that location.

Step 9: Free rotation of a pattern: Drag any part of the pattern while holding down the Control key.

Step 10: Drag a directional line to slide a piece into place.

Step 11: Right click on a piece to rotate it 180 deg.

Step 12: Right click with the ALT key down to rotate a pattern by 45 deg.

Step 13: A real convenient feature is to copy placement of a size to other sizes. The sample size should be the largest size to ensure that there will be no overlapping in other sizes when the arrangement is copied. Select all the pieces for the largest size by dragging around them with the shift key down.

Step 14: Press the Auto Lay button. Select the Copy Placement option.

Step 15: Notice the placement copy.

Step 16: Select the sheet media type. Set the correct width and length of the paper.

Step 17: Repeat steps 13 and 14. But this time, select the Each Size on New Sheet option since we are using the sheet media type.

Step 18 : Notice where each size begins.

Step 19 : Press the Unhide All button to reveal any hidden unplaced pieces to the top.

Step 20 : Select the duplicate tool. Click a pattern or drag around multiple pattern to create copies.

Step 21 : Right click outside the marker border area. Select the Delete Pattern tool. Click a single pattern or drag a selection box around multiple patterns to delete.

Step 22 : Confirm the delete operation.

Step 23 : Press the Submit Plot Job to Output Manager button. This sends the plot job to a running output manager in the local network. The host computer name must be set up in the program configuration under the Settings menu. The button next to it drives the plotter directly connected to the PC. For this feature, set up the Plotter Configuration (first button on the left).

Step 24 : Select the Roll type. Specify the starting frame ID. If the Each Size Separate Plot option is set, a separate plot job is sent for each size. Assuming the output manager is not currently working on another plot job, the plotting start immediately. Otherwise, the plot job is appended to the end of the queue.

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