Plotter

A plotter is a computer hardware device much like a printer that is used for printing vector graphics. Instead of toner, plotters use a pen, pencil, marker, or another writing tool to draw multiple, continuous lines onto paper rather than a series of dots like a traditional printer. Though once widely used for computer-aided design, these devices have more or less been phased out by wide-format printers. Plotters are used to produce a hard copy of schematics and other similar applications.

Advantages of plotters

·         Plotters can work on very large sheets of paper while maintaining high resolution.

·         They can print on a wide variety of flat materials including plywood, aluminum, sheet steel, cardboard, and plastic.

·         Plotters allow the same pattern to be drawn thousands of times without any image degradation.

Disadvantages of plotters

·         Plotters are quite large when compared to a traditional printer.

·         Plotters are also much more expensive than a traditional printer.

When was the first plotter invented?

The first plotter was invented in 1953 by Remington-Rand. It was used in conjunction with the UNIVAC computer to created technical drawings.

Vector Graphic

In computer graphics, a vector graphic or vector image is an image made up paths (lines with a starting and ending points). These paths, all based on mathematical expressions, consist of basic geometric shapes, such as lines, polygons, and curves. The key advantage of using vector graphics as opposed to raster images is their ability to scale without compromising image quality. For example, you could use a vector graphic to help make a banner or sign. The image can be small on your computer but scaled to the size required without any jaggies or other image distortions.

What file formats are vector graphics?

There are many different file formats (file extensions) that can be used to create a vector graphic. The most common vector file types include .ai, .eps, .pdf, and .svg. One of the most popular programs used to view and create vector images is Adobe Illustrator.

Why do printing companies require vector image?

There are many reasons why most printing companies need a vector image. As mentioned earlier, the ability to resize the image to any size without any loss of quality or distortion is one of the biggest reasons most companies require a vector image. Another reason is the ability to outline all elements of the image. Doing so allows the printer to give the appearance of any font, even if a font is not available for the printer.