"Sight" Survey  (SS04)

Are Plotters Compatible with Sight Survey?

"Sight" Survey is a Windows application and uses the Windows Print Manager to handle printing and plotting.  Any plotter that is properly configured and compatible with Windows, should be compatible with "Sight" Survey.  In order for a plotter to be compatible with Windows (and "Sight" Survey), it must either use the basic plotter drivers that are distributed with Windows or it must use a special Windows plotter driver issued by the manufacturer.

Just because your plotter plots out of a DOS-based CAD program, doesn't mean that it will plot properly through the Windows operating system.  Most DOS-based CAD programs include plotter drivers that have been written specifically for that program.  Even though the drivers for that program may be present on your computer, they are not available to "Sight" Survey.

A few Windows-based CAD programs also include their own built-in plotter drivers and handle the entire plotting process, bypassing the Windows printing system.  Developing built-in drivers can take a considerable amount of time, and adds a considerable cost to the development of a product, which is ultimately added into the cost of the product to the user.  In addition, if you purchase a new plotter for which the program does not contain a built-in driver, you may not be able to use the plotter.  "Sight" Survey uses the Windows printing system; therefore, as long as your new plotter is compatible with Windows, as most new plotters are, it is compatible with "Sight" Survey. 

PEN PLOTTERS:  If you are attempting to use an older pen plotter, you may need to get special drivers for Windows.  Try winline.com.

© 2008 by Carlson Software, Inc.   Last modified November 18, 2008