!Restored: Plotting to Hp500ps

[Anonymous]

I am running Mac OS X 10.3 and Archicad 8.0, which HP has said is compatable with the HP 500ps. Currently, Plotmaker does not give me the option for the USB port to plot from, which is the port I need to use. Is there any special hardware required to print/plot out of plotmaker to an HP 500ps?

[Anonymous]

I have never tried plotting through the USB port. So I don't know if it is even supported. If you have an ethernet port on the HP you can do it that way. I assume you can also print through the USB.

[Anonymous]

The latest from hp is that I need to save the file as a .ps or .pdf and drag the file into hp's Rip software to print. So I guess my question now is, how do I save a layout book or file as a ps or pdf that can be located for dragging into Rip?

[Anonymous]

You can save a PDF or postscript file from the printer dialog. Look under Output Options.

[Ted Taylor]

I have a 500ps and have not found a way to print to it from OS10. The software RIP runs in OS9 only and as far as I can determine has never been updated for 10. It has been promised as available in the next quarter for about the last 2 years. The fact that HP is marketing the iPod is amazing as they have always given me the impression that they were less than interested in dealing with Macintosh in any form. The info that I have gotten in the past from their tech support has been suspect at best when it came to the Mac. As you can tell, I am not a big fan of their software or support, but I do like the machine. It plots well and I can see little fall off in quality when plotting as opposed to printing. (Printing using my 733 G4 in OS9 was unusably slow when using the RIP).

I tried Gimp print and ?Buymelunch? routes a year or so ago, and had limited sucess. Since plotting is meeting my needs, I have not tried to resolve the issues that I had with them or to see if they had been resolved.

My suggestion, is to try plotting and see if the quality meets your needs.

If you do have a OS10 compatible RIP, I would love to know where to get it (It is not on their support site as best I can determine) and I would like to see how it performs on a G5.

[Stress Co_]

Hey SJ:

You could use (I think ) an Hp JetDirect between the plotter and Mac .... ethernet cable from Mac to jet direct and USB from JetDirect to the plotter. It'll cost, but you won't be limited to the length of your USB cable anymore.

[Anonymous]

I have heard of the JetDirect, but also heard it requires the GL2 card (prices at $500). HP originally told me if I upgraded to OS X 10.3.3 I could communicate with the plotter. I upgraded and found it to be true, but I have not been able to print files in the correct format. More specifically, in the right location on the sheet. It prints on the edge of the page cutting off most of the drawing, or prints the size of a posatge stamp. HP now suggest purchasing the GL2 card, saying this will solve the problem. My hesitation is that I keep purchasing hardware/software that doesn't get the results only to be informed I should purchase something else. There must be other OS X users that are plotting to the HP500ps. What have people found is required to get the two communicating and operating efficiently?

Regarding Ted's comment on HP and drivers for RIP, HP tells me they will be releasing OS X compatable drivers in July 2004. I am not encouraged by the lack of follow through Ted found, but am still hopeful.

[Ted Taylor]

SJ,

My setup is a JetDirect 610n card and the HPGL2 card with the maximum memory (160MB) tied to my 2 Macs (a soon to be replaced G3 and a G4) using ethernet cables. Works well plotting directly from both Plotmaker and Archicad. It is important to max out memory on the HPGL2 card or it will drop information when plotting. (I bought 3rd party memory which was considerably less expensive than HP's, but it also took 2 tries to get working memory)

There may well be a solution without adding the additional cards, but I got the above setup to work for me. It can get pricey.

HP has been saying next July for the past 2 years on the OS10 RIP, so I would not bet my farm on it.

[Stress Co_]

I emailed Graphisoft support for recommended OS 10.3.3 plotters. Here is the reply...... (try the link)

A very common and cost effective plotter used by Archicad users is the HP 500. The following link has all the information you need for setup with this plotter and OS X.
http://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?t=930

[Anonymous]

I used to support the 500 at HP. . .I know. . .pitty me.

The above link is pretty much true. With OSX on a MAC, you will need BOTH the gl/2, AND the Jet Direct card. The bonus after getting these, is that you can set the printer off in it's own little area and print away! Another option to consider is getting the 800, the 800 is a 500 with a gl/2 card, a jet direct card, AND a hard drive.