Notes on Use of RP-GL/2
This product is designed for use with CAD applications. Do not use this product with word processors, spreadsheets, photo retouches, or drawing applications.
CAD applications may have their own drivers. In such a case, configure the RPGL Menu on the printer control panel.
RP-GL/2 (Type 1) emulates the operation modes of HP-GL/2 for DesignJet 600. However, "HP7586+GL/2 mixed mode" on the DesignJet 600 has different specifications and cannot be completely emulated. Therefore, operations of this product may be different from those of "HP7586+GL/2 mixed mode", and some expected printing results might not be possible. If printing results are not satisfactory when printing RP-GL/2 or RTL data in GL-GL/2 switching mode, try to switch "6. Plotter ID" on the RPGL Menu to "RP-GL/2".
"Compressed data method" for HP-GL/2 is available in two modes, that is, 8-bit mode and 7-bit mode. RP-GL/2 also supports these compression methods.
The specifications of the line cap form and line join form in line drawing are different as indicated below depending on the command system processing mode.
Line attribute
RP-GL
RP-GL/2
Line cap form
Settings from "S23. Line Cap for GL Mode" on RPGL Menu
Settings by LA command or on RPGL Menu
Line join form
Rounding
Settings by LA command or on RPGL Menu
When you use large line widths, normal printing may not be achieved depending on "45-1. Line Caps" and/or "45-2. Line Joins".
"45-1. Line Caps" and "45-2. Line Joins" are effective for lines wider than 0.35 mm.
In GL-GL/2 switching mode, the coordinates for the pen position after mode switching are always those of the origin (0,0).
In GL-GL/2 switching mode, the replotting function of an RP command is invalid.
When you print fine lines in halftone, solid lines may change to dotted lines or broken lines, or lines may not be drawn, depending on their drawing position in some cases.
When you change "6. Plotter ID" to "RP-GL/2" on the RPGL Menu, and attempt to print data for RP-GL, printing results may be different from what you want to obtain.
If a CAD application requires a step-size setting, specify "0.025 mm".
Operation Modes for RP-GL/2
RP-GL/2 operates in two different operation modes: GL-GL/2 switching mode and RP-GL/2 mode. Each operation mode is described below.
In some cases, only one copy of the output data may be printed in GL-GL/2 switching mode even when more than one copy is specified. If this is the case, print the data in RP-GL/2 mode.
GL-GL/2 switching mode
In GL-GL/2 switching mode, the product automatically switches between RP-GL and RP-GL/2 based on the command received.
It is recommended that you select this mode if:
You print RP-GL output only.
You print mixed data for RP-GL and RP-GL/2 output, such as in an environment where multiple computers and CAD applications are being used.
If "7475A", "7550A", "7570A", "7575A", "7576A", "7580B", "7585B", "7586B", "7595A", or "7596A" is specified in "6. Plotter ID" on the RPGL Menu, the products operate in this operation mode.
RP-GL/2 mode
In RP-GL/2 mode, the product operates under the RP-GL/2 command system.
It is recommended that you select this mode if:
You print RP-GL/2 data only.
You print HP-GL/2 data that does not have the switch command (ESC%-1B) embedded.
You specify the number of copies to print in an application that uses RP-GL/2 to print its output.
If "6. Plotter ID" is set to "RP-GL/2" on the RPGL Menu, the product operates in this mode.
The default is GL-GL/2 switching mode.
The type of "RP-GL/2"to which the product switches to when GL-GL/2 switching mode is used follows the type that was last configured on the "RP-GL/2" of "6. Plotter ID" on the RPGL Menu. For example, in order to ensure that the product switches to "RP-GL/2 (Type1)" when GL-GL/2 switching mode is used, select "RP-GL/2 (Type1)" in "6. Plotter ID" on the RPGL Menu. Next, configure the plotter in RP-GL mode in "6. Plotter ID" again, and then use the switch command.
Operations in the GL-GL/2 Switching Mode
If "6. Plotter ID" is not set to "RP-GL/2" on the RPGL Menu, the product operates in switching mode. RP-GL/2 automatically switches between RP-GL and RP-GL/2 and prints the data, based on the received command.
Switching from RP-GL to RP-GL/2
When RP-GL/2 receives the RP-GL/2 switchover command "ESC%#B", it switches its processing command set from RP-GL to RP-GL/2, and processes the received data according to the RP-GL/2 command system. If it has any print data remaining to be processed when it receives the switchover command, it prints the remaining data before switching to RP-GL/2.
Substitute "#" in the RP-GL/2 switchover command "ESC%#B" with any integer between -1 and 3 (i.e. -1, 0, 1, 2, or 3).
Switching from RP-GL/2 to RP-GL
While in RP-GL/2, the language automatically switches to RP-GL if the print data is output by an output command.
Mode | Command | Command description |
|---|---|---|
RP-GL | ESC%#B | RP-GL/2 switchover command |
RP-GL/2 | PG RP | Output command |
RP-GL/2 | ESC.R ESC.K | Device control command |
RP-GL/2 | ESC%-12345X | PJL switch command |
RP-GL/2
RP-GL/2 switches its control command set to PJL when "ESC%-12345X" is received.
PJL emulates the Printer Job Language of HP.
RP-GL/2 switches its control command set to RP-GL/2 when an "@PJL ENTER LANGUAGE=HPGL2" command is received.
Configuring the Output Plotter
Match the settings configured in "6. Plotter ID" under the RPGL Menu on the machine with the plotter settings configured in the CAD application.
Select the plotter to use for output in the CAD application.
For details about how to configure the settings, see the instruction manual of the CAD application.
Press [Settings].
Press [Printer Settings].
Press [RPGL Menu].
Press [6. Plotter ID].
Press the target plotter name, and then press [OK].
If you selected "7475A", "7550A", "7570A", "7575A", "7576A", "7580B", "7585B", "7586B", "7595A", or "7596A" in the CAD application, select the same plotter as the one selected in the application.
If you selected "DesignJet 600", "DesignJet 650C", "DesignJet 700", or "DesignJet 750C Plus" in the CAD application, select "RP-GL/2".
If you selected [RP-GL/2], select the RP-GL/2 type, and then press [OK].
See the following table for the plotters selected in the CAD application and their corresponding RP-GL/2 types:
Plotter | RP-GL/2 type | Print color |
|---|---|---|
DesignJet 600 | Type1 | Black and white |
DesignJet 650C | Type2 | Color |
DesignJet 700 | Type3 | Black and white |
DesignJet 750C Plus | Type4 | Color |
Press [Home] (
) at the bottom of the screen in the center.
The machine operation mode differs depending on the selected "6. Plotter ID". See Operation Modes for RP-GL/2.