topic Thinking of Switch to Mac in Installation & update

Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 00:12:09 GMT

Currently I have a Windows Dell Precision 340 and it is connected to a HP DesignJet 430, there is a parallel cable between them and it has plotted beautiful sheets for years.

New in the office is a Mac G5, and I am considering the switch, but I can't even consider it unless there is a good solution for the plotter. What do you use for your Mac connection?

Thanks in advance.

Mark Burginger
San Diego, CA

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 15:56:10 GMT

I switched to Mac also, and VERY happy about it. I have HP450C, all I needed to do was in Plot Setup>Connection and TCP/IP>Setup put the IP address of the plotter and for the port input 9100
Welcome to more designing and less computering!
Joseph Harouni

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 16:42:38 GMT

On the software/hardware side I need:

X-RIP and a USB to parallel adaptor?

http://www.microspot.com/products/xrip100.htm

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

James Murray — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 16:55:05 GMT

I also have a 450C, on a JetDirect box, and plot with TCP/IP, no trouble.

Switch +5 years and counting,

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Aug 2004 23:39:57 GMT

What do you use for the driver? What is most popular with Mac users?

Thanks!

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Aug 2004 02:51:44 GMT

The driver is included with PlotMaker (for plotting not printing). Get a JetDirect box (other servers might work but it's probably best to stick with HP) and plot over the network using TCP/IP.

If money is short you might be able to find a used JetDirect on ebay. Plot files are small so speed is not much of an issue.

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 12:35:59 GMT

Curious....
Why the desire to switch platforms?
Or your gonna be running a dual platform office?
I was thinking on test driving a G5 myself.

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Mon, 30 Aug 2004 15:20:28 GMT

Actually the post was some what misrepresented. I am thinking of switching my use of ArchiCAD from PC to Mac. I have been a Mac user since the days of 1989 when I purchased my first Mac IIci. My first PC occurred when I purchased ArchiCAD 6.0 and I wanted to have the option to run -Argg- "AutoCad". For years I have had both operating systems on my small network.

Years later, AutoCad skills lay dormant. I find I am able to handle all consultants DWG's just fine with ArchiCAD. Inport/export they don't know the difference. The Mac OS is by far more enjoyable to work in and I want to integrate my graphical tools "PhotoShop, C4D, etc." closer to ArchiCAD for presentation purposes.

The new G5 dualie has jaw dropping qualities. The iLife package allows you to easily provide communicative material to clients and consultants. Work can be fun. The same level of capabilities on a Windows machine causes you to very carefully purchase several different software programs and you cross your fingers hoping that they work together and that they don't become obsolete in 6 months. The iLife suite just keeps getting better with each release. Combine the ease of use with speed and possibly that new 30" billboard display. Sweet!

I remember when this list would constantly talk about the bad Mac implementation of ArchiCAD. Lately that talk has diminished. I suppose the quiet means the MacAddicts are hard at work.

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Thomas Holm — Thu, 16 Sep 2004 15:12:45 GMT

Mark,

if you want OSX printer drivers, Gimp-print might be a solution. All free. But I don't know if they all work.
http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3 (drivers for some 500+ printers)

There are additional OSX printer driver packages available at
http://www.linuxprinting.org/macosx/

Also, for recent printers, HP have their own drivers. I don't know if Microspot gives you any advantage other than an invoice. 😉

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Thu, 16 Sep 2004 17:29:57 GMT

Thomas wrote:
Gimp-print might be a solution. All free. But I don't know if they all work.

I've only used GimpPrint and GhostScript for a few printers, but so far they work great. Sometimes better than the manufacturers' drivers.

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Sat, 02 Oct 2004 10:32:19 GMT

I also wish to migrate to a G5 but I need to be sure i can find drivers for a HPdesignJet 500 C7769B (not a post script model) so does anyone have any info or advice.
Appreciated

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Sun, 03 Oct 2004 02:37:20 GMT

Try this: http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport/TechSupport/DriverDownload.jsp?pnameOID=20987&locale=en_US&taskId=135&prodSeriesId=25301&prodTypeId=18972&swEnvOID=219

Also the Gimp Print drivers should work, too.
http://gimp-print.sourceforge.net/MacOSX.php3

Cheers,

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Oct 2004 13:22:34 GMT

Thanks eric
I have the hp Printing on my NEW G5
I am also wondering why i have no option of paper orientation in Archicad/Plotmaker to A2 landscape 594 Wide x 420 H
I only get a choice of portrait & 2 directions of rotation of the print direction Only (left/right)
Or have i missed something
By the way (Gen Info) the HP driver works but the one from gimp print wont.
Thanks Again

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Oct 2004 22:02:27 GMT

Which way did you go for the connection? The reason I ask is because I have been trying the Serial-USB cable connection and the Gimp driver for a HP 430 DesignJet Plotter. It works, but it needs to be used as a printer and it is painfully slow. The speed is useless, 30 minutes for a print?

Mark

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Sun, 10 Oct 2004 22:57:50 GMT

Hi I went with usb direct no problems with the Hp Driver at all
Prints at equal speed as it did in Windowz No More than 1 Min for A2/A1 Line drawing.

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 03:55:56 GMT

I can see the HP OSX print driver you are using for the DesignJet 500, but I don't see one for the DesignJet 430.

I can try the driver for the 500, but I don't know if it will work.

Please advise.

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 04:10:11 GMT

Joseph wrote:
I switched to Mac also, and VERY happy about it. I have HP450C, all I needed to do was in Plot Setup>Connection and TCP/IP>Setup put the IP address of the plotter and for the port input 9100
Welcome to more designing and less computering!
Joseph Harouni

Thanks Joseph, you got me up and running. I ended up using a Pricom 3100 Print Server, $150 from FRY'S ELECTRONICS. Input the TCP/IP Address into the Archicad plot setup along with the port input number of 9100 = BINGO! This way the plotter is on the network and it is useful from a number of machines. I grant you the Tip-of-the-Week.

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 04:58:32 GMT

All i can say is try it
I dont know much about computing either
No idea what you are talking about (ip address of the ploter) USB-Yes
I only have one Problem Now which is i can't change the orientation of the drawing on the paper. No matter which of the three choices i select in Print setup it prints the same Direction Portrait
A3 prints @ 297w & 420L on (roll) paper 594wx420L
A2 prints @ 420w & 594L on (roll) paper 594wx420L
Other than this i already appreciate the change to Mac & looking forward to seeing Archicad 9 when released here.

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 05:25:10 GMT

mbwolf, I ended up going with a Ethernet adapter device connected to the printer. Now I access the plotter thru the PLOT SETUP menu in ArchiCAD via the TCP/IP. That's where you enter the printer IP Address and Port. I feel this is the best solution. I think I remember a Point-CounterPoint regarding printing versus plotting.

With this setup you can locate your plotter anywhere on the network.

Re: Thinking of Switch to Mac

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Oct 2004 05:47:48 GMT

Thanks Burginge I am Going to check this out. I have to upgrade it from a non PS Printer to a plotter With networking I think.
So does plotting perform better than printing & are there any other differences/advantages?