How To Reduce Printing Time in OpenPlant Modeler

In OpenPlant Modeler, we have option to print output in rasterized & non-rasterized mode. User want to reduce the printing time to generate output in less time. Below wiki article will explain, to reduce the printing time during print to pdf operation.

Background

In OpenPlant Modeler, output can be generated in rasterized and non-rasterized mode. Based on the type of print mode, printing operation take times. Here user requirement is to reduce printing time operation.

Rasterized mode: When printing in rasterized mode, all the graphics in design are converted into raster by the MicroStation display system before being sent to printer driver. The final plot consists of only non-overlapping raster files.

The obvious advantage of rasterized printing is that it is the best way to achieve complete fidelity between the view display and the printed output. It is the only way to print special effects such as anti-aliasing, shading, reflections, and transparency, as well as accurate treatment of overlapping and intersecting 3D geometry.

The obvious disadvantage of rasterized printing is that it requires many more passes over the design, resulting in longer print times than a non-rasterized print. Another disadvantage is, we can’t search text in rasterized print.

Non-Rasterized mode: When printing in non-rasterized mode (when the Rasterized option is unchecked), the MicroStation display system sends vector data as vectors to the printer driver, and raster data as raster. The final plot file consists of both vector and raster data. In this mode vector data stays vector & raster data stays raster. In non-rasterized output user, have benefit to do search text in print output.

Steps to Accomplish

1. Open working model in OpenPlant Modeler.
   
   
2. Click on reference tool & ensure that all reference files are present.
   
   
3. Notice that under reference window, by default “Visible Edges” are set to Dynamic as shown.
   
   
   
   
4. Click on Dynamic & change Visible Edges to Cached as shown below.
   
   
   
   
5. Click on visible edge settings & make method to Fast as shown below.
   
   
   
   
6. Notice that, when changing visible Edges from Dynamic to Cached for a reference model, it took time to convert to Cached Edge as per elements present in reference model file.
   For some cases right after changing Dynamic to Cached some components are disappearing on current view. After selecting "Cached" select on "Legacy" once, it will reload the view and all components will be visible again.
   
   
7. Similarly, change visible edges from dynamic to cached for all reference files.
   
   
   
   
8. From File go to Print.
   
   
9. In print window, check rasterized option & select Bentley driver as pdf.pltcfg. Refer below image.
   
   
   
   Note - Notice that printing time has been reduced to larger extent for rasterized & non-rasterized print.

See Also

Rasterized versus Non-Rasterized Printing

One of the first questions a newcomer to the MicroStation V8 XM Print dialog asks, if they notice it at all, is "what is that Rasterized checkbox for?" It's not obvious at first, but the Rasterized checkbox…

By Andrew Edge over 14 years ago in Bentley Colleague Blogs > Printing Great Things

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