Plotter Power Large Formatted Printers in Landscape Architectural and Multi-Disciplinary Firms by Christy Almazan Remember when there were typewriters, rotary telephones, roller skates and 8-track stereo systems... How quickly the years have flown by, times have changed and technology has been updated to roller blades, pentium computers, compact disc stereo systems to electric cars, and cordless telephones and so on and so on. At one point, there was a time when Landscape Architects designed their visions with a drafting board, drawing paper, pencils, and a never ending supply of erasers...even methods of landscape architectural designing has been improved to plan projects more efficiently through the use of plotters. Methods for landscape designs in the past consisted of drawing on paper or mylar, and then eventually came pen plotters. Vice President David Locke, ASLA of DMW, Inc. describes pen plotters as "arcane, slow, and needed almost 100% supervision because the pens would dry out." Laura Stevens, press and promotions specialist of Encad, Inc.--a San Diego, CA-based plotter manufacturer--adds that the "inks are not environmentally safe and very expensive." She explains that ink jet plotters, on the other hand, "are cleaner, easier to use, and less expensive". Landscape Architects have also considered--in the past and still present day--hiring a service bureau to print out their large site plans and renderings. However, research indicates that this choice is usually more expensive and the company has to verify that their computer systems are software compatible. Here convenience and time efficiency are important; the printing of a rendering on a company-owned plotter takes mere minutes and one can also see revisions immediately, whereas at a service bureau it will take 3-4 hours before the job is complete due to having to go back and forth in the review process. According to LASN Associate Editor/Digital Information Scott Weinberg, ASLA, "ink jet plotters are the new thing now." Today, Landscape Architects and multi-disciplinary firms utilize plotters or large-formatted printers, which are devices generally used to print 11x17 site plans or renderings. These machines deal with printing applications that are too big for a normal printer. Locke adds that, "you really have to have plotters if you have CAD software." In the multi-disciplinary firm DMW, Inc. in Towson, Maryland, there are two color and four black and white Hewlett Packard (HP) plotters that support approximately 65 computer terminals. Multiple printers are set up with just mylar and regular paper, in that way employees do not have to get up from their desks to change the paper in the plotters. Locke explains, "You always need more than one of those kind of plotters because nothing frustrates employees more than waiting." Companies that have plotters should keep in mind in obtaining a plot serve software (consists of two components software and a dedicated pc) which can send files to get handled by an offline device. This feature adds functionality to plotter lines so printing is possible. It also allows you to make choices on picking the computer to print at...nighttime or during the day. Locke states, "We have it set so certain people have priority over the software --dependent upon the urgency of the project." When landscape architectural firms place orders for plotters decision-making is based on the amount of prints that are made per day and the amount of people that support each printer. Principal Rob Sawyer of Santa Ana, CA-based Land Concern believes "dependability and speed" are important. Locke recommends, "a service/mainte-nance contract be made for 24-hour repairs...otherwise, you have to wait for opening to fix it." Locke explains that plotters can range around 7-8 minutes for one page or average about 5-6 plots per minute. As for repairs, an HP technician is available to come into the office during the daytime. Backup systems are available that will still make the plotters able to function. Today's, plotters or large-scaled printers are making the work effort for Landscape Architects faster and at a more time efficient pace. lasn Plotters or large-formatted printers produce 11x7 site plans, renderings or any application too large for the normal printer. Methods of landscape architectural designs have come a long way from using the traditional pencil, erasers, and paper. Plotters provide renderings printed in mere minutes.