Appendix C - Using DOS Based Programs
DOS software is not standardized and each application will work differently. When using DOS
applications, it is not possible to print through the Windows Printer Driver and for this situation,
the system has been designed to automatically emulate a Hewlett Packard plotter. Plotters use
a special language called HPGL which the laser system has been designed to accept. When
configuring the DOS based program, select the HP7475 plotter as the printing device. Set the
maximum paper size to 18 inches(457.2 mm) wide by 12 inches(304.8 mm) tall (refer to the
DOS software manual for how to configure the printing device). Once configured properly, the
laser system should interface with the program and act just like a plotter. Keep these points in
mind:
1. Some DOS programs will not allow the page size to be set at 18 inch(457.2 mm) x 12
inches(304.8 mm) in the Landscape mode. If this is not possible, the full engraving field
cannot be utilized. If a smaller page size is used, determine where the program will place
the graphic on the engraving table by running a few tests.
2. Some DOS programs use the lower left corner of the engraving field as the origin so
remember this when setting up the graphic drawing.
3. When assigning power settings to the graphic, it will be necessary to assign an HPGL
plotter pen to the different colors in which the graphic was drawn. In most cases the pen
numbers should match the power setting numbers in the laser systems “DOS Power
Settings” display.
4. Some DOS programs may allow the setting of pen speed for the plotter pens. These
speeds will be ignored by the laser. The laser system only recognizes the settings in the
“DOS Power Settings” section of the laser systems control panel.
5. Set all of your line widths to .001 inches otherwise the laser system may go into raster mode
instead of the desired vector mode.
6. If your laser system is configured to run in the multiple file memory mode, after every file
download an “End of File” marker must be inserted at the laser systems control panel so
that the memory control will work properly. To do this, print the file to the laser system and
wait for the file to completely download. While in either the “MEMORY CONTROL” or the
“FILE DISPLAY” menu, press and hold down the “NEXT FILE” button while you press the
“SELECT” button once. Let go of both buttons and the word “NONAME” will appear in the
display. You can now run the file. If you are in the “ONE FILE MEMORY” mode, it is
unnecessary to do this because the file will run automatically as soon as the first part of the
file enters into the laser systems memory.
7. Power setting for plotter pens can only be done at the laser system itself through the main
control panel display. If having trouble with using DOS based programs, please contact our
technical support.
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