What is a plotter?
A plotter is a vector graphics printing device that connects to a computer. Pen Plotters print their output by moving a pen across the surface of a piece of paper. This means that plotters are restricted to line art, rather than raster graphics as with other printers. They can draw complex line art, including text, but do so very slowly because of the mechanical movement of the pens. (Pen Plotters are incapable of creating a solid region of color; but can hatch an area by drawing a number of close, regular lines.) When computer memory was very expensive, and processor power was very slow, this was often the fastest way to produce color high-resolution vector-based artwork, or very large drawings efficiently. Early plotters worked by placing the paper over a roller which moved the paper back and forth for X motion, while the pen moved back and forth on a single arm for Y motion. Another approach involved attaching ball-point pens to drafting pantographs and driving the machines with mot
A plotter is a very versatile tool. It is sometimes confused with a printer, but a plotter uses line drawings to form an image instead of using dots. A common type of plotter is one that uses a pen or pencil, usually held by a mechanical “arm,” to draw lines on paper as images are typed. It may be a component that is added to a computer system or it may have its own internal computer. It can be used to create layouts, diagrams, specs, and banners. A plotter may use multiple pens and pencils, which can be easily be changed out in order to create drawings of a different color or drawings that contain more than one color. A plotter is preferred over a printer in many commercial applications, including engineering, because it is far more exact. Another type of plotter provides the ability to remove pens or pencils and replace them with other tools. This type of plotter is frequently used for commercial sign making. A penknife may be substituted for writing instruments, while pressure sensi
A plotter is a very versatile tool. It is sometimes confused with a printer, but a plotter uses line drawings to form an image instead of using dots. A common type of plotter is one that uses a pen or pencil, usually held by a mechanical arm, to draw lines on paper as images are typed. It may be a component that is added to a computer system or it may have its own internal computer. It can be used to create layouts, diagrams, specs, and banners. A plotter may use multiple pens and pencils, which can be easily be changed out in order to create drawings of a different color or drawings that contain more than one color. A plotter is preferred over a printer in many commercial applications, including engineering, because it is far more exact. Another type of plotter provides the ability to remove pens or pencils and replace them with other tools. This type of plotter is frequently used for commercial sign making. A penknife may be substituted for writing instruments, while pressure sensiti
