AutoCAD 2013 - Plotter Configuration files (.pc3)

by Justin Doughty

Following on from my previous blog on Troubleshooting printing in AutoCAD, I’m going to be looking at creating Plotter Configuration files (.pc3) and some of the common problems encountered.

A plotter configuration file, enables you to easily configure a plotter and save it’s settings for future use. This can prove very useful when producing multiple plots with the same settings.

Creating a pc3 file:

1.         Click Application menu > Print > Manage Plotters.

2.            In the Plotters window, double-click the Add-a-Plotter Wizard icon.

3.            On the Add Plotter-Introduction Page, click Next.

4.            On the Add Plotter-Begin page, select the appropriate options. Click Next.

5.            Select your printer. Click Next.

6.            Choose a Name for your pc3 file, Click Next.

7              Edit Plotter Configuration, then Finish.

The pc3 created will then be available in the Plot command under printer/plotter.

Common problems are missing pc3 files, especially as some AutoCAD features require them,  such as plotting a Project.

You can also Edit existing pc3 files at any time:

1.         Click Application menu > Print > Manage Plotters.

2.            In the Plotters window, double-click the pc3 file you wish to edit.

3.            Make the changes you require and either Click OK to save, OR Save As to create a new pc3 file.

This is very useful as you are able to have multiple pc3 files for the same printer, this may be useful when you have a multi format printer. For example you could have one pc3 file optimised for a colour landscape A3 print and one optimised for a mono portrait A4, both from the same printer.

Common printing behaviour problems can originate from an incorrectly configured pc3 file. For example some printers will struggle to print large raster images, the resolution settings can be reduced in the pc3 file to try and solve the problem.