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ELI5 Please: Print vs Plot, .set vs .pset

Elizabeth Roll
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Hi All! Would someone be so kind as to explain the differences in using the Print Organizer vs iPlot? Or if could give a situation when you think one would be better than the other?

Also if someone could please explain .set vs .pset? 

My situation: I am a new employee and have been learning MicroStation the past few weeks, although I have some experience with other CAD programs. Last week I wanted to Print to PDF and was struggling to use the iPlot organizer (it's been a slow process to get my computer settings all set up for all of the programs we use, but it seems I have the correct printer driver now). I was able to get the settings correct while using the Print Organizer, and I was able to figure out how to create PDFs with layers which is very helpful for me as a new employee learning their layer/level system. A coworker showed me how to use the iPlot organizer yesterday so that all of the plot settings are configured to the company's standards using their .set file. I am now trying to figure out a few things:

(1) It seems that iPlot runs a lot slower than the Print organizer. It seems like with both iPlot and Print Organizer, the settings can be saved onto a shared drive for everyone to use, so what is the benefit of preferring iPlot over Print? The only benefit I see so far is that the iPlot organizer can be opened without opening MicroStation first. In other CAD programs I used, the Print function was not able to create a consolidated PDF, but MicroStation's Print Organizer has that option as well as all of the other settings options that iPlot has and then some.

(2) Is it possible to change the iPlot settings so that my PDFs have layers? I am struggling to find where I can change the Printer Driver Configuration in the iPlot organizer dialog. If someone can direct me, that would be great. (This way I can load the company's .set file and only change the layers settings, so that I know my settings match theirs 100%, or so I can show coworkers how to have layered PDFs with the Plot function that they are already comfortable with.)

(3) Is it possible to load the pre-configured company .set settings into the Print Organizer settings? I see where to change the pen tables and user workspaces, but I am not clear on if/where I can load the .set file?

If someone has a moment to either clarify or link to articles they think clarify this information, that would be extremely helpful! I have done a web search on this information but either I'm not finding the right posts about this, or perhaps I am not understanding them, or maybe I am completely misunderstanding the differences between Print/Plot and pset/set, and my coworkers all use only the iPlot organizer and the preconfigured settings (they didn't know that PDFs can be layered but seemed very interested when I showed them!) so they weren't able to clarify it either. 

PS: Please don't ask for screenshots or file copies to check my settings. I am a brand new employee and not comfortable sharing anything that would have company info, even folder or file names. I apologize if this will make answering more difficult!

  • 0 Offline

    There is an entire discussion board dedicated to Printing and Plotting. You may find better answers there.

    MaryB

    Power GeoPak 08.11.09.918
    Power InRoads 08.11.09.918
    OpenRoads Designer 2021 R2

       

  • 0 Offline
    1. IPlot has many functions that Print Organizer doesn't, and can process plotting data on a more granular level than Print Organizer can.
    2. If your company standard is NOT to have layered PDFs, then I suggest you follow the company standard. If you want to make changes, you should probably approach your CAD manager, or whoever maintains your resources.
    3. I do not think you CAN use a .SET file with Print Organizer. A .SET file directs IPlot standards. IPlot is a separate piece of software. Print Organizer is the heir to the classic Batch Plot, and is not really related to IPlot much at all. Both can use pen tables and design scripts, but IPLOT has other settings that wouldn't apply to your print organizer.

    MaryB

    Power GeoPak 08.11.09.918
    Power InRoads 08.11.09.918
    OpenRoads Designer 2021 R2

       

  • 0 Offline

    To add on to what Mary said

    • MicroStation Printing vs IPlot
      MicroStation printing (Print Organizer and Print dialog) has been slowly incorporating the functionality of IPlot for some time. For basic printing they mostly have the same functionality. The main advantage for IPlot is that it works with ProjectWise. If you're not using ProjectWise, there is not much you're missing with basic MicroStation printing.

    • Settings files
      The .pset files are saved plot settings from Print Organizer or the MicroStation Print dialog. In the IPlot world those would be more like .iparm files. The IPlot .set  printer settings files are printing defaults you can set up, much like a Print Style for MicroStation printing.

    • Pen Tables vs Design Scripts
      MicroStation printing and IPlot can use these files interchangeably. Pen Tables are created and modified through the Pen Table editor in the Print dialog. Design Scripts are programming/scripting language that are created in Notepad. Both work for resymbolizing graphics at print time, but you can do a lot more with a Design Script than you can with a Pen Table.

    • Plot Generation
      When submitting a print/plot, IPlot requires a separate IPlot Server, and usually IPlot printer drivers. There are some advantages to IPlot Server when submitting larger jobs and roll plots. IT staffs generally do not like dealing with IPlot Server and the IPlot drivers as they can be a real pain to set up and maintain. Base MicroStation has no special server requirements. In the CONNECT Edition you can now submit an IPlot job to an IPlot server using Print Organizer and not have to use IPlot Organizer. 

    Hope this helps.

    Rod Wing
    Senior Systems Analyst

  • 0 Offline in reply to MaryB

    The reason I want to create PDFs with layers is only for learning and markups when asking questions, as I stated in my OP - layers are helpful for training. It's already been discussed with my boss. I appreciate that you are taking the time to respond and help but there is no need to be patronizing. Thank you for clarifying about .set files.

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