use .pc3 or not

When I go to plot there are two choices for the same plotter. One is T770 HP and the other is T770 HP.pc3.

Which to use and is there a difference?

Thank you.

When I go to plot there are two choices for the same plotter. One is T770 HP and the other is T770 HP.pc3.

 

Which to use and is there a difference?

 

Thank you.

Use the PC3 file. This is a Plot Configuration file that supports the plotter's specific driver capabilities. I believe if you send a plot to the non PC3 file then the Windows plot driver takes over.... or something in that range. It's not the most technically accurate answer but there is a difference.

OK, thanks. Should I delete the one with out the pc3?

OK, thanks. Should I delete the one with out the pc3?

I don't think you can. You can hide System Printers and you can delete all unused PC3 files, but every installed printer and/or plotter on the computer will show in the list. I could be wrong, but I'm almost positive.

woot, woot, woot, I used the help at the top of the autocad screen to find out how to hide them. What a nerd am I

Just to add another reason to go with the PC3 file, you can customize a PC3 file to only use the standard paper sizes that you print with that printer.

I just modified a PC3 so that when I choose the Konica Laser printer in AutoCAD the only paper sizes that I have to choose from are 8 1/2 x 11 and 11 x 17. None of the silly postcard and legal sizes that are never loaded in the paper trays anyway.

I need to make similar changes to the PC3 for our plotter so that only the ARCH-C ARCH-D and ARCH-E are available. I never use the metric or ANSI sizes, so I just have to scroll past them anyway.

Glen