August 1994 REVISION 2.3
pSERVERplusTM
Interactive Diskette Based Plotter Server
User's Information Manual
FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATION Issaquah, WA 98027 (206)392-6541 .
Copyright© Far Mountain Corporation 1994 August 1994 REVISION 2.3
,_
pSERVERplusrM
Interactive Diskette Based Plotter Server
User's Information Manual
FAR \10U~TAIN CORPORATION Issaquah. WA 98027 (206)392-6541
Copyngnt·.:: Far Mountain CorporatiOn 1994 pSERVERplus 1s a trademark of Far Mountain Corporation Copyngnt '3 1993 Far Mountain Ccroorat1on All Rights Reserved. pOISK is a trademark of Far Mountain Corporation Copynght © 1993 Far Mountain CorporatiOn All Rights Reserved.
FAR MOUNTAIN FILE CHECKER (FMFC) is a trademark of Far Mountain Corporation. Copynght© 1993 Far Mountain CorporatiOn All Rights Reserved.
SPSIM is a trademark of Far Mountain Corporation Copynght© 1993 Far Mountain Corporat1on. All Rights Reserved.
Printed in the United States of Amenca.
No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmrtted 1n any form by any means without the pnor wntten consent ofF ar Mountain Corpora1lon lnformanon 1n this manual is subject to change w1thout notice and does not represent a commrtment on the part of Far Mountain Corpora1lon.
The use and copying of this software 1s subject to license agreement All other uses are prohibited ..
All other product names are used for identl'ficanon purposes only and may be copynght or trademali
1. pSERVERplus QUICKSTART ...... 3 1 1 . Assumptions ...... 3 1.2. Cabling: Serial Models - pSERVERplus to plotter .... . 3 1.3. pSERVERplus Installation ...... 4 1 .4. Configuration: ...... 4 1.5. Operation: ...... 5 1.5.1. Idle Mode: ...... 5 1.5.2. File Select1on Mode ...... 6 1.5.3. Plotting Mode ...... 7
2.1NTRODUCTION ...... 8 2.1. PLOTIER SHARING ...... 8 2.2. PLOT FILES AND PRINT FILES ...... 8 3. GETTING TO KNOW YOUR pSERVERplus ...... •...... •.•.•..•.....•...... 9 3.1. pSERVERplus FRONT PANEL ...... 9 3.2. pSERVERplus BACK PANEL...... 10 4. pSERVERplus OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS ...... 11
5. pDISK ...... •...... 14 5.1. Assumptions: ...... 14 5.2. Data Compress1on and File Splitting: ...... 14 5.3. pDISK Installation:...... 15 5.4. Fam1liariz1ng yourself with the pDISK program· ...... 15 5.5. Generating an AutoCADrM plot file: ...... 16 5.6. Using pDISK© to copy AutoCAD™ plotter files: ...... 17 5.7. Using the pSERVERplus to olot pDISK-generated files: ... .. 17 5.8. Using MS-DOS batch files to shorten pDISK command line entry ... 18
6. Far Mountain File (Fioppy)Checker ...... 19 6.1. Use Far Mountain Corporation File Checker to evaluate the integrity of floppy disks and the1r data...... 19 6.2. WHERE TO INSTALL...... 19 6.3. TO INSTALL...... 19 6.4. TO USE...... 19 FCC NOTICE
FCC NOTICE
WARNING: This equipment generates and uses radio frequency energy and 1f not mstalled and used properly. this. in stnct accordance w1th manufacturers instructions. may cause Interference w1th radio and television receptron. It has been type tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class 8 computing device in accordance with the specification in Subpart J of Part 15 of FCC Rules which are designed to provide reasonable protection against such interference in residential installation. However, there IS no guarantee that interference w1ll not occur in a particular installation. If this equ1pment does cause interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by tum1ng the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient the receiving antenna. • Relocate the computer with respect to the rece1ver. • Move the computer away from the rece1ver. • Plug the computer into a different outlet so that the two dev1ces are on different branch C1rcu1ts .
If necessary, the user should consult the dealer or an experienced radio television technician for additional suggestions. The user may find the following booklet prepared by the Federal Commun.icat1ons CommiSSion helpful: "How to Identify and Resolve Radio- TV Interference Problems ' This booklet is available for the U.S. Government Printing Office. Washrngton. D. C. 20402. Stock No. 004-000-0345- 4.
Note: In order for an 1nstallat1on of this product to ma1ntain compliance w1th the li m1ts for a Class 8 dev1ce. shielded cables must be used for the connect1on of any devices external to this product.
~ .:oyn g nt '"; ~99 4 FAR f,IOU NTAiN CCRPOPATIOtJ . ... .n wo :rc.;:r.;.f'!')l"\ 11"'\, : :.' : .1 \ pSERVERplus QUICKSTART pSERVERplus QUICKSTART
Assumptions: This note descnbes for new users how to install configure and use the pSERVERplus 1n the most usual (and easy) cases. For more complicated s1tuations. refer to the referenced sections in the later in the User's Manual, and if necessary, your dealer or Far Mountain Corporation Technical Support at (206)392-6541 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. PST. Or you may fax your questions to: Technical Support: (206)392-8373. We also suggest that you change the Configuration to NO FLOW CONTROL, detach the cable from the plotter and this unit, then "play" with it in all its configurations until you become familiar with the new features. To change the Configuration: 1. Tum power off: 2. Tum power on while holding down the • key. This w1ll display the configuration menu on the LCD. Use •, to use that configuration. # to change configuration. For this easy installation. we assume that you have a working CAD and plotter system or can otherwise confirm the CAD and plotter system is correctly configured and operational and that you are familiar w1th the procedure to make a PLOT FILE from your ·cAD drawing. To save time, generate the plot file on your hard drive, then copy onto a pre-formatted floppy disk.
Cabling: Serial Models - pSERVERplus to plotter The pSERVERplus output (to plotter) for serial models is the same as standard 'IBM Compatible' serial port using a 25 pin connector. Therefore, the correct serial cable from pSERVERplus to plotter is the cable which would be used to run your brand and model from an IBM PC 25 pin COM port. If you wee already driving your plotter (directly) from an IBM PC, 25 pin COM port, then use that cable. Disconnect from computer, connect to pSERVERplus OUTPUT port (on right when viewed from behind pSERVERplus). If you have been driving your plotter from a nine-pin COM port. then you must e1ther:
Cooyngnt ~ ~ 99 4 FAR MOU NTAIN CORPORATION 3 ,' • 11"1W0CC"... ~ rr. an If'{;: E..O: i\ pSERVERplus QUICKSTART
1. Use a 25 pin (female) to a 9 pin (male) serial adapter. such as those often supplied w1th MICE to connect the pSERVERplus OUTPUT port to the plotter using your 9 pin plotter cable. or: 2. Obta1n a proper 25 pin COM port-to-plotter cable for use with your plotter. pSERVERplus Installation: Unpack the pSERVERplus and place 1t conveniently near your plotter. (Many of our customers seem to park the pSERVERplus on the end of the floor model plotter cabinet oppos1te the plotter control panel). Plug 1n the power transformer to the 11 OV power source. It is good practice if this is electrically "close" to the power outlet used by the plotter. the same power-strip or wall socket, if possrble. Plug in the 3 pin plug connecting the wall transformer to the pSERVERplus. The groove in the metal connector should be UP for proper orientation. Connect pSERVERplus to plotter w1th proper cable (as above). Turn on pSERVERplus us1ng the power sw1tch on the rear panel. The LCD display should show e1ther: LOAD 3.5: HIT • or LOAD 5.25: HIT • depending upon your floppy disk size. If you have a dual drive (Combo model}, you can cycle between the two drives with the arrow keys.
Configuration: pSERVERplus is shipped with configuration parameter (primanly serial communication defaults) that match those used by AutoCAD'" and most other popular PC based CAD packages. So, if your plotter is configured to work via direct connection to a PC based Cad system, you should not change the default configuratron. If it is necessary to change these parameters on the pSERVERplus. then consult the CONFIGURATION sectJon in Appendix A.
: ooyngnt ?.: 1994 FAR MOU NTAIN CORPORATIO N 4 • f'W00'01.r.. - . .,., - . l; :.:•1 . l pSERVERplus QUICKSTART
Operation: The pSERVERplus is put into operation by connecting it to the plotter and to the power source as described abo-:e. Optionally, you may connect 1! to a computer with another cable (as descnbed 1n PASS-THRU Mode below. When the power is switched on [small sw1tch, low, on rear panel toggled up] one of the following messages will be displayed: LOAD 3.5: HIT • or LOAD 5.25: HIT • depending on the floppy drive type installed. If you have a two-drive model, then you can cycle between the above two messages by pressing the t or J.. key. pSERVERplus operation is best understood by knowing that the pSERVERplus is always in one of three modes for normal operations (additionally, there is a CONFIGURATION Mode described below: pSERVERplus MODE DISPLAY IDLE LOAD 5.25: HIT •
LOAD 3.5: HIT # FILE SELECT File name of current file, (optionally: queue markers, multiple copy markers PLOTTING As above, but in addition, the panel red LED is lit, floppy drive LED cycles momentarily, the "hour glass" displayed.
Idle Mode: In Idle Mode. pSERVERplus is waiting for a floppy diskette to be inserted in the drive. When the • is pressed, pSERVERplus will read the diskette directory. While reading the message
11# READING DIRECTORY ##
Cooyngnt © 19'14 FAR MOUNTAIN CCRPORATIOtl 5 .. ..,~o...s nan. ,... ) !~-' pSERVERplus QUICKSTART
is displayed. pSERVERplus wtll sort the file names alphabetically and then display the first file name in the sorted directory. pSERVERplus is then in the File Selection Mode. pSERVERplus only reads and processes the root directory on the dtskette: any sub-directones are ignored. Idle Mode is sometimes referred to as PASS THROUGH Mode. because ONLY WHILE IN IDLE MODE WILL DATA PASS THROUGH FROM THE INPUT PORT TO THE OUTPUT PORT allowing computer data to directly bypass the pSERVERplus.
File Selection Mode: After reading the floppy directory ( • key in Idle Mode) pSERVERplus displays the numerically first file name. then alphabetically first file name from the floppy directory. At this point the t and 4- keys will step (hold for auto repeat) forward and backwards through the directory displaying the file names in alphanumeric order. In File Selection Mode you may either select a single file to plot or select a group of files on the floppy to be plotted sequentially (QUEUED FILES), tf selected in the CONFIGURATION MENU). You may return to IDLE MODE from FILE SELECTION MODE by pressing and holding (for about 2 seconds) the# key. To plot multiple files (i f enabled by selecting QUEUED FILES in the CONFIGURATION MENU) you may individually enter each file to be plotted in the plot queue by momentarily pressing # when the chosen file name is displayed. Or, you may scroll unttl the message: »> All FILES <« is displayed and then press • to put all files in the diskette directory into the queue. When any file is in the queue. the queue status marker ts displayed on the left-land stde of the display: X:Y FILENAME where -x· gives the queue position for the dtsplayed filename and ·y- shows the number of files in the queue. If the currently displayed filename is not in the queue. then the "X" is blank. If more than ntne files are queued. the numbering proceeds from ·A' to . 'Z': ·o. 1. 2 ... 9. AB.C ...
: ::.ovngnt ~ 1994 FAR 1.10UN TAI N CORPORATION s "' '"'-0C01.15 !Ti l!'"! ... (] E.'S 4J pSERVERplus QUICKSTART
Files already in the queue may be removed by again pressing#. When the user presses • the currently displayed file ·is plotted. or 1f files are queued they are each plotted in the order of the queue. At any t1me while in File Selection Mode. the user may press and hold the # key (hold for about two seconds) to return to Idle Mode in order to read a new diskette or re-read the current diskette. \.
Plotting Mode: When plotting starts the panel red LED lights, the floppy disk select LED lights periodically and data is sent to the plotter. In addition to the lighted paneLLED, pSERVERplus displays a vertical bar near the left far side of the LCD display (if plotting queued file it replaces the " : " in the queue status marker. The height of the bar indicates the fraction of the plot file remaining to be plotted. The bar decreases in height proportionally to the portion of the plot file left to be read.
While plotting, you can press # to cause the pSERVERplus to pause output. The plotter may continue until its input buffer is empty. While pausing, you may select • to continue or # to return to IDLE MODE.
Cooynght ~ 1994 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATIOtl 7 ~ •lfYWOCN:)I uo:. ~ JI'\ ;l'l; 3 C.SCl 3. Getting to Know Your pSERVERplus User's Manual
pSERVERplus USER'S MANUAL INTRODUCTION
PLOTTER SHARING The pSERVERplusa• is a plotter or printer server. It simply copies plot (or pnnt) from an IBM PC format floppy disk to your plotter or printer. You can continue using your PC workstation while your plot files are being plotted or printed. Every workstation in your facility can have access to the plotter (printer) Without using a network or sw1tches. The pSERVERplus can be the only device connected to your plotter (printer). or it can be installed in-line between your PC workstation and your plotter (printer). When installed in-line, the pSERVERplus can be made "transparent" to your workstation when not plotting or printing from a disk. It ·passes data through" to the plotter or printer from your workstation JUSt the way a VCR can pass signals from your TV antenna to your television . There are separate pSERVERplus models for devices w1th parallel and serial connections. The pSERVERplus Model PS 100- - P is used with parallel devices and the pSERVERplus PS 100- - S is used w1th sen a I devices.
PLOT FILES AND PRINT FILES The pSERVERplus cop1es files exactly from diskette to the plotter (printer), thus you must have a PLOT or PRINT files on your floppy disk for input to the pSERVERplus. Use the PLOT TO DISK optiOn on your CAD systems to create PLOT files. If you have a single pen plotter, you can set your CAD systems up for a multi-pen plotter and when runmng the plot from the pSERVERplus, 1! will pause for pen changes and request the pen number to load. Use your word process1ng or desktop publishing software's PRINT TO DISK option to create PRINT files. Print files contain all of the printer spec1fic codes used by the printer for print enhancements.
: ::oyngnl © 1994 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATION ~< ..,.."JJO .r.. !"". ;) ~ : .:. 1. ; 2.": 4} 3. Getting to Know Your pSERVERplus User's Manual
Note: that not all word processors can do this, so read your manual first.
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR pSERVERplus pSERVERplus FRONT PANEL The pSERVERplus Front Panel has a 16 character display, a red LED and four buttons: •, #, t, ..J... You use these keys to load a disk, scan the directory, select file(s) to plot (print) and to set up options. The display shows pSERVERplus status, file names, user options. printer errors, and paper faults. The LED is on when pSERVERplus is busy and blinks to indicate pause, pen change or error. When pSERVERplus is not in use, the display shows the installed drive size or if it is a Combo model, the 5.25" drive is shown first with the 3.5" accessible with the arrow key. LOAD 5.25: HIT • or LOAD 3.5: HIT •
When the pSERVERplus is connected in-line, this message indicates your workstation ha.s control of the plotter/printer and the pSERVERplus is in "PASS-THRU MODE." The buttons provide operator control: '--·_ __.I To plot (print). read directory .
..__#_ __.I To pause or cancel a plot (print) .
.__t_ __.l To step up directory or choose a different drive on a Combo model.
..___.:._ __.! To step down directory, choose the other anve on a Combo model or display cptJon li sting on the
Cooyngnt ·.~ ! ~4 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATION 9 : ·•rnwo:O'.o! rr J ~ , .._ i: 5. ~fl 3. Getting to Know Your pSERVERplus User's Manual
configuration menu.
JSERVE.Rp/us BACK PANEL The pSERVERplus back panel has t\vo DB-25 p1n connectors labeled IN and OUT. OUT goes to the plotter (printer). IN (optionally) comes from the PC workstation. The round power socket connects to the wall mount transformer provided where North Amencan Standard 11 OV is the normal electric current supplied by wall plugs.
CAUTION: The power connector is s1m1lar to the connector used to used to plug some PC keyboards into the back of the PC. Do not insert pSERVERplus power connector into a PC or possible damage to the PC may result.
The POWER SWITCH on the back panel turns pSERVERplus on when up, off when down.
To access configuration menu:
1. Turn power off. 2. Turn power on. while holding down • key. This w1il put you 1nto the configuration menu. ·(See APPENDIX A)
NOTE: Power must be ON to transfer data from the PC to the plotter (pnnter) through the pSERVERplus.
. :.amgnt ~ 1994 FAR ~.IOUNTAIN cc:::?ORATION 10 ...... '"' pSERVERplus Display pSERVERplus Status and User Commands LOAD 5.25: HIT • The pSERVER+ is ready or (ONLY if a Combo untt, toggle i. ,;. to LOAD 3.5: HIT • switch between drives) or if it is in a pass-thru mode. Insert diskette: • COMMANDS: • pSERVER-- reads the disk directory ::READING DIR# The pSERVER+ is reading disk directory This message appears briefly, followed alphabetically by the file name. Push up Arrow (i) key to access =>ALL FILES = • COMMANDS : None FILE NAME The pSERVER+ dtsplays the current file name. • COMMANDS: ,J.. Steps directory in alphanumeric order; i Steps directory backwards; # Printer only) Get Print Options: • PloVprint this file (if a new disk has been inserted, pSERVER+ reads the directory). # Held for 2 seconds returns to pass-thru mode. 0 FILE NAME The pSERVER· is plotting/printing this Cooyngnt ~ 1'?94 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATION 11 . • : nwoc ·O',.~ ~a- : ""~ ' ; :.'!.t\ 4. Operation Instructions pSERVERplus User's Manual file. The red LED wtll be on, icon 0 indicates percentage of the file rematning to be plotted. COMMANDS: .. User pause or request to cancel JOb: ;; Held for 2 seconds - return to pass-thru mode. =>ALL FILES= pSERVER+ displays queue status (1f QUEUED FILES has been selected on Configuration Menu) by number and letter: COMMANDS: i or .l. to locate :::>ALL FILES= Plots all files in queue: i i Steps directory in alphanumeric order: ,J,. Steps directory back: # Selects or deselects file from queue: • Held for 2 seconds - return to pass thru mode. cancels queue function. :(# FILE NAME queue. Indicates position in queue. # of files in queue and File Name being plotted (printed). ::# FILE NAME To print multiple copies, {when multi copy mode has been enabled on the Configuration Menu). ::Jl FILE NAME Press 11, then .:.. to choose the number of cop1es to be printed, : decreases the number if too many have been chosen. :;d) indicates which copy is being printed: # Held for 2 seconds - return to pass thru mode. cancels multi-copy functton. : :oyngnt ~ 1994 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATIO~J 12 • •rwoc.:-;.."S ~:! ., · '"' ;: :."':·4 ~ 4. Operation Instructions pSERVERplus User's Manual FILE NAME Plotting/printing complete; PRESS i or .j.. to scroll to another file on this disk: PRESS • to read directory on a newly insened disk: PRESS # (2 seconds) to retum to pass thru mode. \. C: ~gnt '~) 1994 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATION 13 -. ... r'IWQO'OIJS rr:Jn 1"'\ i. j 0.~ ' ) 5. pOISK pSERVERplus User's Manual pDISK Th1s note descnbes for AutoCAD '"' users how to use Far Mountain Corporation's new pDISK© program to copy Hewlett-Packard -" . Houston-Instruments-" and Calcomp '" compatible plotter files on to a senes of floppy disks for use w1th the pSERVERplus. For more complicated situations. contact your dealer or Far Mountain Techn1cal Support at (206)392-6541 9 00 a.m. -- 5:00p.m. PST Assumptions: For the purpose of this program. we assume that you are using AutoCAD'" w1th an IBM-PC compatible computer and either a 5.25" or 3.5" floppy disk configured as drive A: or 8: . Data Compression and File Splitting: One of the great new features of the pDISK program 1s the ability to compress the data 1n the plot files while copy1ng them to the floppy dtsk. It does th1s us1ng a propnetary compress1on algonthm wh1ch runs automatically every t1me you use the pDISK program to copy a Hewlett Packard '" or Houston Instruments'" file. The space savings produced by the compression algonthm are remarkable. For example. the file HOUSEPLN.DWG whtch is in the SAMPLE directory of AutoCAD' " release 12 produced a plot file HOUSEPLN.PL T occupy1ng 1 ,600.962 bytes. A file th1s s1ze normally could not even fit onto a 1.44 MB 3.5" floppy, but with data compress1on the file only took up 297.332 bytes on the floppy disk. For the g1ven case. the data compress1on saved us about 82% over the ong1nal size of the fi le. Your actual space sav1ngs may vary. Since some plotter files may exceed the capacity of a standard floppy dtsk (even with the compress1onl. pDISK has the capability to split these ftles among several separate floppies. Each dtsk 1s numbered sequentially beg1nn1ng w1th disk #1 . It is a good tdea to label your tndivtdual diskettes #1 . #2, #3 . etc .. and reuse them between plots. In our prev1ous example. the fil e HOUSEPLN PL T was written to dnve A w1th the name HOUSEPLN 001 Each disk should be placed 1n the dnve and the files sent in numencal order USing the same metl10d for each ordered fil e WhiCh you : ,XJyng nt (·~ 199 4 FAR MOUN TAIN CCR PORATimJ llr :nw()(J'()HL rr'Jrl ~ ~ { ; :_;. .1 1 •1 l 5. pDISK pSERVERplus User's Manual would use for a single plot file. When doing plots requiring multiple files pDISK encodes special instructions into the data so that the plotter pen is held in the up position until the operator has time to swap the disks. • pDISK Installation: All that is needed to mstall the pOISK program is to place it in the AutoCAD'" working directory. The working directory is the directory where the AutoCAD main program resides and is executed from. To install pDISK. you simply need to copy the program file PDISK.EXE from the distribution disk into the AutoCAD'" working directory. For example, if the distribution disk is 1n drive A: and your working directory is O:\ACAD12, then you would type at the MS-DOS prompt: copy A:\PDISK.EXE D:\ACAD12 With that out of the way, you are ready to run the program from within AutoCAD. Familiarizing yourself with the pDISK program: Now that you have installed the pDISK program, let's learn how it works. From MS-DOS. go to the drive and directory where you previously installed the pOISK program. This should be your AutoCAD'" working directory. When you are there, type at the MS-DOS prompt: pDISK /? The following help Information will be displayed on your screen: Copies ~n AutoCAD-generated ~ewlett Fackard, Houston I nstn:!nent o r Calcornp plot :.:.le to a floppy d isk for ;.: se with Far t-l ountain's pSERVERplus. pDISK [/?] [/All) [/Ddriv e :] [/E) (/F[drive: J [path ! filena!ne.?L'!'l [/NJ [/O J [/VI I ? Di splays t~is help screen. I All c;·, errides AUTODETECTION t:,: specifjing t!:e input ;:::lo-.: file t:;pe. [ /Ddrive: J Specif.:.es floppy ~=ive for f.:.le output. / E ~.u tomaticall'/ ERASES ALL FILES en each floppy disk before '-'riting t!".e cut;:::~t file. ;Hll ::o t orcrnot the user f or vertfication! ~ / F[d=! v e: j [path ) :il:::ar.'.e.::-I..'!'j ~ pec l~.:.e 3 c=:ve, directc =:,:, a nd file to copy. Cooynght el 1~4 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATION 15 ~ • • nw?OO~.o"S r:-aro '"" ; ~ 2:":41 5. pDISK pSERVERplus User's Manual I N 'dill automatically use the NEWEST ;:lot :i.:e :ound in :he c~rrent directory. Will not crcmot the user. i O .:..utcnaticall:; OVERWRITE c.ny file with a name ~ce nt1cal :o r~e output :'ile name. ~ill not crcrnot! :elect: ~e rccse ~=~e. ·: e re: ;::·rs;.:: ·.... lll spLt c:he plct ::.::.e ever ::-.~lt:;:::.e ct.:.sY.ettes if i:-: suffic.:.enc ;;pace exisr::s en any g 1•:en diskette. ?lease ~e ep :n ~ind that sub 1irectcr:es are :;o t supported by the pSERVERplus. 7his :s ve rs1on l. 51 of pDISK (C) and was las t :.:pdated en ; a;o:/1993. Copyr1qht© 1993 ~ar Mountain Corporation Ve rs1cn 1.51. All ::-1ghts ::-eserved. From the above informatton you can see that the pOISK program allows for many dtfferent command line options. To keep this document brief, we will not go into explicit detatl on each option except to give just a few different examples of posstble commands and what they will do. Keep in mind that tf you execute pOISK wtth no command line options the program will simply prompt you for all the required information. Most of the command line opttons are designed to prevent you from havtng to go through the prompting every time you plot a file. The verbose mode command line optton ts included matnly for debuggtng purposes. Generating an Auto CAD rt. plot file: Once pOISK has been moved into the AutoCAD"' working directory you are ready to begin ustng it. First, you must execute the AutoCAD"' program and load the file which you wish to plot. When you are ready to plot, enter the PLOT command and examtne the menu given. While 1n the plotter menu, make sure that either a Hewlett Packard"'. Houston Instruments;"'. or Calcomp;"' plotter has been selected. Also be sure to select the correct paper size for the plot. We suggest that you go to the optimizations menu and select NO OPTIMIZATION to make the generatton of the plot files run more quickly. Now check the box marked PLOT TO FILE and then SELECT THE FILE NAME. Be sure to remember which sub directory your file restdes in. When finished you should select OK to pnnt the plotter file. Note that the computer wtll go througl:l the usual pnnting routines but will actually be generattng a file on the dtsk. When :coyngnt e 15?4 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATION ,., ,.,.oa.,.·.:'j -a:, ..;, ; :0':4i 5. pDISK pSERVERplus User's Manual regeneration is complete you will be ready to start using pDISK©. Using pDISK@; to copy Auto CAD rA, plotter files: Now that you have generated your AutoCADr" plot file and are fam1liar with pDISK. you are ready to actually use the program. As in MS-DOS. you can see the pDISK help screen by adding a /? to the command line. However, in AutoCAD"' you need to first tell it that you want to execute an MS-DOS program. To do this, you will use the SHELL command. For example, to display the pDISK help screen while in AutoCADT" you would type at the command prompt: command: shell pDISK /? You can see that there is little difference between executing pDISK from the MS-DOS command line and from within AutoCADr". Knowing this, you can see that one useful command line might be: command: shell pDISK /n /o /dA: Which would instruct pDISK to use the most recently generated plot file in the AutoCAD"' working directory, write the output file(s) to drive A: , and overwrite any files on the floppy disks which bear corresponding output file names. You might also type: command: shell pOISK lfHOUSEPLN.PlT /e This command will copy the plot file HOUSEPLN.PL T from the working directory and will automatically erase each floppy disk before writing the output file. Note that since the If option was omitted, the program w1ll prompt you to enter the name of the output floppy drive. Keep in mind that you can always JUSt enter the s1mplest command line: command: shell pDISK Which will prompt you to enter all of the required program parameters. Using the pSERVERplus to plot pDISK-generated files: Using the pSERVERplus to plot pDISK~enerated files is as easy as using the pSERVERplus to plot any other plotter file. Simply insert the disks into the pSERVERplus in numerical order starting with disk #1. With the disk in the drive press the • key to read the disk directory and select your file using the arrow keys. Note that your file no longer has the .PL T extension but now has an extension of .001 . The new extens1on corresponds directly to the disk number :~gnl ~ 1994 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATION 17 .: ".nwo.:o...s n-.a"': ' I'\ i j ~.CI 5. pOISK pSERVERplus User's Manual on which the file is written. Once you have se lected your file press the • key again to begin plotting. When plotting has finished, press and hold the # key to get back to the initial display where you can insert the next floppy disk in the sequence. Note that your fil e on the second floppy disk will have a .002 extens1on. All other files and disks w1ll have a similarly incremented file extens1on number. Note that the pSERVERplus will hold the plotter pen in the up position after each plot file is completed. This is to prevent the ink from staining the paper if the time between disk swaps is long. Using MS-DOS batch files to shorten pDISK command line entry: If you are familiar with the MS-DOS batch file format, then you might prefer to pre select some command line options to be entered automatically without having to actually enter them every time you plot a file. To do this, you will need to go to the MS-DOS command line and actually type in a batch file program. It is a good idea to place this batch file you will be creating into the AutoCAD working directory. For example you might type in the following batch program from the MS-DOS prompt to s1mplify things a bit: copy con:pd1.bat<--l> pDISK lfC:\ACAD12\SAMPLE\%1.plt /dB: /o /e Note that the And w1th that you should be able to type the follow1ng simple command to get the job done: · command: shell plot MYFILE - ::::yngn1 !?,_· ~99 4 FA R MOUNTAIN CCRPORATION 18 APPENDIX A pSERVERplus User's Manual Far Mountain File Checker Use Far "ountain Corporation File Checker to evaluate the integrity of floppy disks and their data. This program will not check files on a hard disk drive. EMFccan only be used to check the integnty of oos formatted floppy disks. Wildcards are not allowed in the filename and sub-directories are not supported. Where to Install: You may install your Far Mountain Corporation File Checker where its accessibility is most useful for you: On your root directory; With your other utilities; or You may wish to create a separate sub-directory for pDISK and EMFC To Install: Copy the program files from the distribution disk into your chosen directory The two files for Far Mountain File Checker are: CMFC. :::::('!: CMFC. tJ SE To Use: c: \ rnrc (or invoke from wherever you have installed f!.!FC. EXE) fl1FC [drive: j [ :ilenameJ ( [ /A } II [ / E l I I [ /S } ) II IV l [ /? l [drive:} ~ filename} Specifies the floppy disk drive and the l~dividual file to check. /A ~ill cause the program to check all files en the disk. /E ~ill scan :~e entire disk surface /E will not c~eck file, director·; or FAT for structure. /S \~ill direct :he program to scan the given filename. /V Selects verbose mode. /? Displays :his help screen This example will cause the program to check-all files on disk B: ~FC 3 : 1.:.. ;ooyngnl : 1993 F ~R MOUtH AIN CCRPORA TICtl 19 APPENDIX A pSERVERplus User's Manual APPENDIX A CONFIGURATION SETTING Configuration Sett1ng applies ma1nly to senal models. Unless you are using the parallel model to run a plotter. you should not need to change the configuration set by the manufacturer. For serial models the default configuration supports plotters using XON/XOFF protocol. 7 data b1ts. even panty and 1 stop b1t , which includes most plotters supported by AutoCAD. If your plotter requ1res a different configuration. you can set pSERVERplus-" to match your plotter configuration through a simple dialogue using the pSERVERplus·" front panel. A.1 First configure your plotter to work with your CONFIGURE CAD system. (When pSERVERplus-" is PLOTTER connected m-line, this insures that your workstation can continue to plot directly). Then configure pSERVERplus '"with these same parameters for plotting to disk. A.2 To 1n1tialize Configuration Setting en the CONFIGURE pSERVERplus.", turn on the power while pSERVERplus holding down the • button. The configuration settings w1ll appears on the display. Push # or the down arrow to display other options for each setting. To accept a setting, push • The last option is "Save Configuration?" Push • to save this configuration permanently, push # to use this configuration only until you power off. A.3 To merely view the current pSERVERplus·" VIEW CURRENT configuration, initialize Configuration Setting, CONFIGURATION then step-through the settings us1ng the • key. The chart on the follow1ng page documents configuration parameters and opt1ons. Use • to step through sett1ngs, # to change the value. ·:ooyr.gnt _:: 1993 F~R MOUI4T.I- IN CCRPORATION 20 APPENDIX A pSERVERplus User's Manual pSERVERplus CONFIGURATION SETTINGS (Menulacture< strongly r~ lell-..ng optiOns 1n defauft mode to aVOid confusion). PARAMETER VALUE/OPTIONS COMMENTSIDEFAULTS To initialize conti~iuraiion... Men·li: ·'ium.otf"' power. Tum power on while holding down the • key. pSERVER+ V2 .0 ·cONFIG#RESET Chose "•" to change configuration: chose "W' or down arrow key "~"to return to Defaults set by manufacturer Drive Type 1ST DRIVE: 3.5" Set by manufacturer 2ND DRIVE: 5.25" Option available only on two drive pSERVER+ 110 Type Serial Set by manufacturer. Parallel (If parallel. skip to Device type.) Baud Rate 19.2K BAUD Default: 9.6K (Serial Only) 9.6K BAUD 4.8.K BAUD 2.4K BAUD 1.2K BAUD 600 BAUD 300 BAUD 150 BAUD Data Bits 7 DATA BITS Default: 7 DATA BITS (Serial Only) 8 DATA BITS Parity EVEN PARITY Default: EVEN PARITY ODD PARITY NO PARITY (Only 1f 8 DATA BITS) Stop Bits ONE STOP BIT Default: ONE STOP BIT (Serial Only) TWO STOP BITS Protocol XON/OFF FLOW Default: XON/XOFF FLOW DTR (HI) FLOW HP: AUTO-FLOW NO FLOW CONTROL :oe>vnQnt _; 1993 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORA TIOI I 21 APPENDIX A pSERVERplus User's Manual pSERVERplus CONFIGURATION SETTINGS (M8nufacturer strongly recommends leavmg opcJOnS on delautl mode to IWid confUSIOI'I 1 PARAMETER VALUE/OPTIONS COMMENTS/DEFAULTS Device Type PLOTTER Default: Plotter PRINTER (For pnnter. sktp to Form Feed Control) (Plotter Only) NO DATA CHANGES Default: NO DATA CHANGES (data 1s sent through exactly as on disk) H.l. ONE PEN Pauses for pen changes: requests pen number to load. Set AutoCAD plotter configuration to Multi-pen. pSERVER+ to Houston Instruments One Pen. DE-COMPR. DATA De-compresses pSERVERplus compressed files. (Printer Only) No FF@ EOF Default: No FF @ EOF FF@ EOF [For (laser) printers. send/don't send form feed at End of File.] SINGLE FILE Default: SINGLE FILE QUEUED FILES MULTI FILES Save Configuration SAVE CONFIG? • Save ConfiguratiOn # Use only until power down pSERVERplus CONFIGURATION SETTINGS \M8nufacturer strongly recommenos leavong opuons on oefaUJI mooe to awod confusion 1 : ooyngnt -- 1 993 F;.R MOUNTAIN CORPORATION 22 APPENDIX 8 pSERVERplus User's Manuat l APPENDIX B pSERVERplus MESSAGES pSERVERplus Status and error messages flash on the display MESSAGES alternating with user responses: LOAD PEN# n For s1ngle pen plotters only, pSERVERplus •CONT #..QUIT paused for pen change. Change the pen. RESPONSE: • Continue # Cancel this JOb USER PAUSE A user pause was requested (# was pressed •CONT #..QUIT wh1le pSERVERplus was busy. RESPONSE: • Continue # Cancel this job I PRINTER NRDY I pSERVERplus cannot access this plotter •CONT #..QUIT (printer). Check power and that printer selected is on-line. RESPONSE: • Continue # Quit try1ng I PAPER ERROR I pSERVERplus rece1ved a paper fault •CONT #..QUIT from the plotter (printer). Fix the paper. RESPONSE: • Continue # Quit I DISK NRDY I pSERVERplus cannot access the disk. Try •- RETRY # QUIT closing the door. RESPONSE: • Continue # Quit trying I BAD DISK I pSERVERplus cannot read the disk. •- RETRY #QUIT Make sure the 5.25 drive door is closed. Use Far Mountain File Checker (FMFC) to check the integnty of the floppy disk in question. If the disk is bad, d1scard 1t and use a new disk to avo1d damaging the disk drive on the pSERVERplus. • • RESPONSE: # Quit :-.oyngN _) 1993 F~~ MOUtjTAIN CORPORATION 23 APPENDIX C pSERVERplus User's Manual APPENDIX C pSERVERplus CABLE CONNECTIONS SERIAL RS 232 DB25 PIN CONNECTION STANDARD pSERVERplus TO PLOTTER CABLE FOR XONIXOFF or ETX/ACK PROTOCOL: Recommended length of senal (R$232) cable should not exceed 25 feet. Best performance is 10 feet or less SERIAL MODE CONNECT FROM "OUT' TO PLOTTER: pSERVERplus CABLE: SERIAL pSERVERplus to HP. and "most" 0825F - DB25M plotters other than Calcomp, Houston Instruments, and later loline plotters. Cable also known under nomenclature: "IBM TO HP LASER PRINTER I PLOTTER." pSERVER+ end Plotter End Pins: 2>------>3 3< ------> 2 Note: Some plotters require that pins 4 to 5 and 60 7 < > to 20 be connected at plotter end. 7 Consult your plotter or CAD system manual. 4 \ 5 I 6\ 201 RS-232-C Serial Cable: The w1ring for 0825F-pin to 0825M-pin cables is the same. except for variations in gender. Th is cable is also known as a "Null-Modem.· or symmetric or mirrored cable. It is strongly recommended that you use a shielded. molded serial cable no more than 20 feet 1n length, preferably 6' long ana that you have the pSERVERplus ;:; ower supply is connected to the same electrical circUit that the plotter is. :ooyngn1 ~ 1993 F;. R ~OUtHA i N CCRPORATICN 24 APPENDIX C pSERVERplus User's Manual RS-232-C Serial Cable Pin Outs: pSERVERplus Plotter Protective Ground 1 --1 Protective Ground Rece1ve Data 3------2 Transmit Data Transmit Data 2 3 Receive Data Signal Ground 7 ------7 Signal Ground Clear to Send 5-I 20 Data Terminal Ready Data Set Ready 6--1 20--1----- 5 1-6 The only pins that the pSERVERplus - plotter connection actually requires are: 2---3 3------2 7---7 However, if you have a cable made to the above specification. the cable should be shielded, and less than 20 feet in length. Recommended length is 10 feet or less. Hewlett Packard Plotters All Hewlett Packard Serial Plotters and Printers use the same RS-232-C cable as specified above DB25F - D825M. Note: 1 . A stra1ght through senal cable will NOT work properly between the pSERVER(plus) and any Hewlett Packard serial plotter or printer. 2. The only time that you w1ll use a stra1ght through cable with the Hewlett Packard plotter and a pSERVERplus 1s between the PC and the pSERVERplus 1n "Pass-through mode." 3. Hewlett Packard 7550 Senes plotters use the same serial cable wiring configuration as other Hewlett Packard plotters. Laser Jets and Desk Jets, however, then gender of the cable end that attaches to the 7750 series is the oppos1te. ;ooyngnt .;_ 1993 FAR MOUNTAIN CCRPORA TI C~l 25 APPENDIX C pSERVERplus User's Manual SERIAL MODE CONNECT FROM "OUr' TO PLOTTER: pSERVERplus CABLE. SERIAL Standard* PC <-->PC "Null Modem" DB25F - 25F cable used between pSERVERplus and Pins: 2 ->3 Houston Instruments plotter. 3 ->2 7 ->7 *Note: This is the same wiring as for the HP cable. above. JUSt gender change for the HI plotter. 9-Pin to DB25M-Pin Cable: Computer pSERVERplus Recetved Line Signal 1------4 Request to Send Detect Recetve Data 2 2 Transmit Data Transmit Data 3 3 Receive Data Data Termmal Ready 4---1--5 Clear to Send 1--6 Data Set Ready Signal Ground 5 7 Signal Ground Data Set Ready 6 1--20 Data T ermmal Ready Clear to Send 8-1 Request to Send 7------8 Data Carrier Detect SERIAL PASS-THROUGH MODE, CALCOMP and· some IOLINE Plotters RS232 Serial Modem Cable AutoCAD reqUires that you specify XON/XOFF handshake to the Calcomp driver in order to plot to a (floppy) file. Then you must change the plotter configuration on the 1 04X and subsequent series plotters to: DIRECT CONTROL = OFF XON/XOFF = ON CABLE SERIAL Computer to pSERVERplus 1n PASS- DB25F - DB25M THROUGH configuration; also Stratght-through, (i e a standard · REQUIRED by AutoCAD, from Modem Cable) pSERVERplus to Calcomp and some Pins· loline plotters (Refer to Manufacturers 2->8. 20 Manuals for spectfic cable requtrements.) :ogyr>gnl - 1993 F >R ·~ OUNT Altl C:JRPORA TIO' I 26 j APPENDIX C pSERVERplus User's Manual Input Output Signal Pin # Signal Name Pin # Direction 2 TX (Transmit Data) 2 --> Cable 3 RX (Receive Data) 3 <-- Cable From PC 4 RTS ,ReQ. to Send) 4 ---> To (or 5 CTS :clear to Send) 5 <-- Plotter pSERVER+) (1-to-1) 6 DSR (Data Set Rdy) 6 <-- (See above) 7 GND (Signal Ground) 7 <--> 20 DTR (Data Term. Rdy) 20 --> pSERVER to PLOTTER CABLE FOR DTR (HARDWARE HANDSHAKE) PROTOCOL SERIAL MODE CONNECT FROM "OUr TO PLOTTER: DB25F - DB25M pSERVERplus or DB F, •• required. pSERVERplus END PLOTTER END 2>------>3 5<------<20 7< >7 6\ Note: Some plotters connect other than pin 20 at plotter 20/ end to pin 5 at pSERVERplus . Consult your plotter or CAD system manuaL 25 PIN RX-232 TO 9 PIN RS232 ADAPTER PIN MAPPING 25 PIN RS-232 PC/AT 9 pin RS-232 2 TX (Transmit Data) 3 3 RX (Receive Data) 2 4 RTS (Reg. To Send) 7 5 CTS (Clear To Send) 8 6 DSR (Data Send Rdy) 6 7 GND (Signal Ground) 5 8 CD (Carner Detect) 1 20 DTR (Data Term. Rdy) 4 22 Rl (Ring Indicator) 9 :ooyngnt ''.J 1993 FAR MOUNTAIN CORPORATION 27 APPENDIX C pSERVERplus User's Manual PARALLEL MODE: CONNECT FROM pSERVERplus "OUT' TO PLOTTER: Recommend parallel cables not exceed 10 feet 1n length for best performance. CABLE. PARALLEL CENTRONIX, i e . for pnnters or plotters 25M- 36M which requ1re a parallel interface. PASS THROUGH: USE FROM PC TO pSERVERplus "IN" CABLE: PARALLEL Computer to pSERVERplus in PASS 25M -25M - 25 Wire THROUGH configuration for plotters Stra1ght-thru" (and printers) which require a parallel ?ins: 1 - 1 thru interface. Such cables are those used 25-25 as "extension" cables. NOTE: If your PCNVorkstat1on uses a 9 PIN connector. install the appropnate 9 - 25 pin adapter to connect the cable to your new pSERVERplus. If you have any ":1 uest1ons. call Tech Support for assistance . . ocvngnt .; 1993 F~ R •.• Qt.:NT A " ~ c::;RP0RATiC~; 28 APPENDIX C pSERVERplus User's Manual PROBLEM: NO COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN pSERVERplus and PLOTTER CAUSE: INCORRECT CABLE INSTALLATION REVIEW ATTACHED CABLE REQUIREMENTS ABOVE FOR THE APPROPRIATE CABLE TO USE FOR YOUR PLOTTER/ pSERVERplus CONFIGURATION. CABLE TEST: A. 1. Look up Cable #1 between the PC and Plotter; 2. Plot a file directly to plotter; 3. If PC is able to plot to the plotter directly, mark the Cable "Cable# 1 Tested OK between PC and Plotter", then B. 4. Detach the cable just tested from the PC and install it into the "OUT' port of the pSERVERplus while it the cable is still hooked directly to the Plotter: 5. Plot a file from the pSERVERplus to the plotter; 6. If the pSERVERplus 1s able to plot a file on the Plotter, mark it aga1n as "Cable # 1 Tested OK between pSERVERplus and Plotter. • PASS THROUGH COMMUNICATIONS· (Using an HP or HI serial I/O plotter and a serial I/O pSERVERplus) PROBLEM: DOESN'T PLOT IN PASS-THROUGH MODE CABLE 1st Cable: pSERVERplus to Plotter: REQUIREMENTS: Null Modem 2nd Cable: PC to pSERVERplus: Straight through• CABLE TEST: 1. Connect the straight-through serial cable (Cable# 2) and the cable (Cable #1 ) that you just tested (and marked) between the PC and the plotter to the "IN" port of the pSERVERplus: 2. Plot a file from PC to the plotter; 3. If the PC is unable to plot directly to the plotter, then the MODEM cable (Cable# 2) is the wrong one; 4. Replace 11 with a straight-through cable which uses the recommended PIN settings (see above information on Calcomp and loline senal plotters) 5. Re-test. CcoyngMI ~ 1 C:93 F;. R MOUNTI.JN CORPORATION 29 APPENDIX C pSERVERplus User's Manual If your cable has a 9 Pin COM port, you will need a 9 - 25 adapter or equivalent cable. then follow above procedures. NOTE. To use the Pass-Through Mode. t ~ e pSERVERplus must be powered up and 1nact1ve. 1e. "LOAD 3.5 (or 5 25). HIT ..... displayed. If the problem 1s not solved by these tests. please contact Techn1cal Support at ( 206)392~541 or FAX specifications of the cable(s) that you are trying to use and the layout that you are using. Please provide a drawing of the layout that you are setting up, if you are using a Switch Box or a Network. The FAX number is: (206)392-8373 Attent1on: Tech Support 30 ·I 1 APPENDIX D pSERVERplus User's Manual LIMITED WARRANTY Far Mountam products are warranted to be free from failures du& to defects m material and wor1tmansn1p for one year. During the year. Far Mountam will. at 1!'s sole option. replace or repair at no chaf\)e the product wn1ch . in 11s opinion. 1s oefect1ve. You are responSible for packing the failed product properly for shipment and for the chaf\)eS to ship the product to Far Mountain and Far Mountain is responsible for chaf\)eS to ship the repaired or replacement '" product. If any chaf\)e to you 1s mvolved. the replacement product will be shipped to you C.O.D. If the failed product has been modified or misused. Far Mountain has no obligation to repair or replace the failed product. To retum a failed unit. first obtain a Retum Authorization Number by calling Far Mountain Customer Service at (206)392-6541. Display this RMA on the packaging and on the accompanying packing list which descnbes the failure. Far Mountain is not responsible for any packages returned without an Authorization Number. Far Mountain warrants that the overall performance of any software will be substantially in accordance w1th its documentation. Far Mountain warrants the diskettes against physical defects for a period of 90 days from purchase. Your sole remedy for defective diskettes is replacement. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED ABOVE. THE HARDWARE. SOFtWARE AND ACCOMPANYING MANUALS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT WILL FAR MOUNTAIN BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT. INDIRECT. CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF THE USE OR INABILITY TO USE SUCH PRODUCT EVEN IF FAR MOUNTAIN HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES, SO THE ABOVE LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Please return the enclosed registration card for your warranty to be valid. Warranty claims may not be honored if there is no there IS no corresponding registration card on file at Far Mountain Corporation. (;oc"'OOnt;; 1993 F.:.R MOUNTAIN CCRPORATION 31