| 1. Choose which computer you wish to
use:
The plotters will accept jobs only fromthe GRID lab computers, so
it is simplest just to use them to make your poster. If you choose
your personal computer, be sure that when you move your file to
the GRID lab to print, bring all associated files (e.g. pictures,
graphs...) on a CD or thumb drive
| See Images Below
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| 2. Decide what software you wish to use:
I recommend using Adobe Illustrator or Adobe Photoshop. I realize
that many of you only have Microsoft Powerpoint, and although it
is easy to use, people encounter the most issues trying to print
or convert their files to pdf’s from ppt. If you have a choice,
DON’T use Powerpoint! Also, Illustrator templates are available
on the GRID webpage
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| 3. Next, Choose what poster size you want to use.
The max width is 42 inches for Escher or 36 inches for Ptolemy.
Don’t choose a poster size with a width larger than 42 inches.
The length can be as long as you wish. Also, posters smaller than
36 inches are OK too. Remember, try to minimize paper waste! Also,
use the inkjet will print up to 18 x 21 inch paper for test prints
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| 4. First, set the paper size by clicking 'File'
-->
'new'...
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5. Enter your custom poster size and click 'OK' -->
Check this page from Hewlett Packard
for tips on setting custom plot sizes in PhotoShop.
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| 6. Large files often have problems
prnting. A total file size under 100 MBseems to mork much better.
I reduce file sizes, keep the resolution of all imbedded images
below 300 dpi, as this is the max resolution of the plotters.
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7. Now you are ready to create your
poster. Be sure to keep all your files (e.g. picture, figures) in
one place on the hard drive. For advice on how to make an effective
poster, talk to members of your group or look at an example in the
hallways that you like and use that layout/color scheme. It is a
good idea to do a scaled down, 11x17 test print on the grid-inkjet
printer before plotting.
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8. When done,
Click FILE -->
and select 'PRINT with PREVIEW' -->
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10. Now, click “Page Setup” -->
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11. Under Page setup, click “Printer...” -->
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12. Select the Plotter
(Escher or Ptolemy)-->
13. then click “Properties” -->
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14. Click the “Paper/Quality tab” -->
15. then click “Advanced” -->
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16. Under the paper size pull-down, scroll to the bottom, and select
“PostScript Custom Page size” -->
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17. Enter your page size (see step 4)-->
18. Make sure the paper feed direction is correct
(i.e. if your poster is very short, the paper feed
direction should be long edge, and vice versa) -->
19. Click “OK” -->
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20. Navigate back to the Print option, and be sure the preview
shows your entire poster, then Click “Print”
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| 21. To release your job, visit the plotter release
form at: GRID Release Forms
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| 22. You must login with a valid SUNetID to access
the form.
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| 23. To release your job, first select it from the
pull-down menu. On the PC, you will recognize the username you used
to login to the computer. On the Mac, you should look for the name
of the computer from which you released the job. It is also a good
idea to check the size of your job. This serves as an extra check
that you indeed selected your job, and can prevent certain kinds of
crashes: Ptolemy will choke on jobs that are much larger than about
100Mb.
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| 24. You must enter the following information in the
release form: a project number, a task number and an award number.
If you still use the old accounting system, you can convert it into
the new system as indicated on the release form. You must enter the
size of your poster and will be charged $1 per square foot. Click
"release", hit the "Back" button of your web browser and "Refresh"
the web page. Your job should now be marked by an asterisk. A few
minutes later, the plotter should start receiving your plot. It will
have to process the file before plotting and might take anywhere from
10 minutes to an hour before starting to print.
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