This allows you to enter or revise the pen-plotter commands and parameters, for non-standard pen-plotter types.
It is assumed that the plotter accepts ASCII commands that follow a simple syntax of "command, parameters, terminator''. For example, the Hewlett-Packard command for moving the pen, raised, to the coordinates x,y is "PUx,y;''. "PU'' is the command, which should be entered (without parentheses) in the text box Move - pen up: x and y are the parameters, which are always supplied internally by ATOMS; and the semicolon is the terminator required in the Terminator text box. Commas between parameters are also supplied by ATOMS. Move - pen up means move to the new coordinates with the pen up (not marking).
You must enter or edit the commands in the text boxes on the left of the dialog. If more than one command is required to perform the operation requested, give all the commands with any intermediate parameters and terminators required, but omit the last terminator. If your plotter does not use a command, just leave that field blank.
Following are comments on the plotter inputs. The type of variable required, and the maximum number of characters in case of a character variable, are given in parentheses. View samples by clicking on the selections in the Current Plotter group in the Pen Plotter Settings dialog.
Commands
Move - pen up. (6 chrs) Move to the new coordinates with the pen up.
Move - pen down. (6 chrs) Move to the new coordinates with the pen down.
Raise pen. (6 chrs) Raise the pen without movement.
Pen speed. (6 chrs) This is the command which causes pen speed to be set or changed; the parameter is entered as a separate item in the Pen Plotter dialog menu.
Change pen. (6 chrs) This is required only for multi-pen plotters.
Start plot. (12 chrs) Initialize the plotter. May require no commands, or several.
End plot. (12 chrs) Terminate plotting. Like (12).
Terminator. (2 chrs) The character which signals the end of a command. In most cases the semicolon.
Parameters
Maximum x/y. (Decimal) Maximum x and y coordinates. These values establish the centering of the plot. Increments on the x and y axes are assumed to be equal.
x/y at finish. (Decimal) The "base'' coordinates, in plotter units, to which the paper or pen will be returned at the end of the plot, or when pens are to be changed manually.
Units/inch(or centimeter). (Decimal) This establishes the resolution of the plotter and is used in scaling. If your plotter instructions do not give this number, divide the maximum x or y coordinate (item 1 above) by its length in inches.