Large-Format Printing at Geological Agencies Fewer Trials and Tribulations, More Successes

Introduction The Illinois State Geological Survey formed a Plotter Support Technical Team in May, The Illinois State Geological Survey formed a Plotter Support Technical Team in May, Comprised of staff from IT, GIS, public outreach, mapping, and publications sections Comprised of staff from IT, GIS, public outreach, mapping, and publications sections Prompted a discussion session at DMT ’04 Prompted a discussion session at DMT ’04 Plotting Trials, Tribulations, and Successes Plotting Trials, Tribulations, and Successes Presentation by, and Q&A with, HP representative. Presentation by, and Q&A with, HP representative. 5-year product retirement schedule 5-year product retirement schedule

Introduction Goals of the ISGS Plotter Support Technical Team Goals of the ISGS Plotter Support Technical Team Develop a system to produce best possible output Develop a system to produce best possible output Derive quick and easy plot submission methods Derive quick and easy plot submission methods Educate staff and provide reference materials Educate staff and provide reference materials Encourage software RIP Encourage software RIP ‘Field of Dreams’ strategy. ‘Field of Dreams’ strategy. Discourage plotter hardware RIP Discourage plotter hardware RIP Introduces challenges to load balancing and trouble-shooting. Introduces challenges to load balancing and trouble-shooting.

Introduction Over the past two years, the team has addressed the stated goals and answered these questions: Over the past two years, the team has addressed the stated goals and answered these questions: Hardware and Software Hardware and Software What do we have? What do we have? What do we buy next? What do we buy next? When can we drop hardware maintenance? When can we drop hardware maintenance? Media Media Stocking priorities, work allocation between plotters. Stocking priorities, work allocation between plotters. Legacy Plots Legacy Plots File format compatibility with new plotters and software. File format compatibility with new plotters and software. Page dimensions. Page dimensions. Only one wide-format ISGS publication produced. Only one wide-format ISGS publication produced.

Introduction Hardware Overview Hardware Overview Large-format printers Large-format printers Related hardware Related hardware Supplies Supplies Media Media Dye-based vs. UV-resistant inks Dye-based vs. UV-resistant inks Raster Image Processing (RIP) Raster Image Processing (RIP) Other Related Discussions Other Related Discussions Successes and Future Planning Successes and Future Planning

Hardware Trials and Tribulations Large-format printers

Hardware at the ISGS Agency-wide use Agency-wide use HP5500, 42-inch (HP750c = HP trade-in) HP5500, 42-inch (HP750c = HP trade-in) Without onboard RIP. Without onboard RIP. HP1055cm, 36-inch HP1055cm, 36-inch HP3500cp, 54-inch wide HP3500cp, 54-inch wide HP750c+, 36-inch wide HP750c+, 36-inch wide Section-specific use Section-specific use HP750c+ (Publications Section, drafts) HP750c+ (Publications Section, drafts) HP DesignJet 488ca (Southern field office, drafts) HP DesignJet 488ca (Southern field office, drafts)

Hardware at (11) Other Agencies Illinois State Geological Survey Illinois State Geological Survey Kansas Geological Survey * Kansas Geological Survey * Kentucky Geological Survey Kentucky Geological Survey University of Minnesota University of Minnesota Ohio DNR - Division of Geological Survey Ohio DNR - Division of Geological Survey Oregon Department of Geology Oregon Department of Geology Pennsylvania DCNR - Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey Pennsylvania DCNR - Bureau of Topographic and Geologic Survey Virginia DMME - Division of Mineral Resources Virginia DMME - Division of Mineral Resources Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey * Wisconsin Geological and Natural History Survey * Natural Resources Canada - Earth Sciences Sector Natural Resources Canada - Earth Sciences Sector The Geologic Mapping Institute The Geologic Mapping Institute

Hardware at Other Agencies HP5500 – 42 inch or 60 inch HP5500 – 42 inch or 60 inch Canada (60) Canada (60) Illinois (42) Illinois (42) Ohio (ps) Ohio (ps) Oregon (ps) Oregon (ps) Pennsylvania (ps) Pennsylvania (ps) HP5000 – 42 inch or 60 inch HP5000 – 42 inch or 60 inch Canada (60) Canada (60) Canada (42) Canada (42)

Hardware at Other Agencies HP1055ps - 36 inch HP1055ps - 36 inch Canada Canada Illinois Illinois Ohio Ohio Oregon Oregon Virginia Virginia

Hardware at Other Agencies HP inch HP inch Kentucky (ps) Kentucky (ps) HP2500cp or 3500cp – 42 inch or 60 inch HP2500cp or 3500cp – 42 inch or 60 inch Illinois (ps) Illinois (ps) Oregon (ps) Oregon (ps) Virginia Virginia

Hardware at Other Agencies HP750c+ HP750c+ Illinois (trade-in fodder) Illinois (trade-in fodder) Epson inch Epson inch Geologic Mapping Institute Geologic Mapping Institute

Hardware at Other Agencies 1 - Epson 1 - Epson 7 - HP5500 or HP HP5500 or HP HP HP HP HP HP2500 or HP2500 or HP750c 1 - HP750c 20 HP Plotters

Hardware Discussion Paul Staub, Oregon Department of Geology Paul Staub, Oregon Department of Geology HP 1055cm - our workhorse HP 1055cm - our workhorse HP 5500ps - just purchased, not much use yet HP 5500ps - just purchased, not much use yet HP 3500ps - now basically a boat anchor HP 3500ps - now basically a boat anchor

Hardware Discussion Maintenance discontinued for older plotters. – ISGS Maintenance discontinued for older plotters. – ISGS Future hardware purchases. - ISGS Future hardware purchases. - ISGS Photo-based media for 1055 identified. Photo-based media for 1055 identified. Opted not to purchase another 1055cm. Opted not to purchase another 1055cm. 3500CP never fully utilized. 3500CP never fully utilized. Maximum width not first-priority. Maximum width not first-priority recently purchased, hope to get another recently purchased, hope to get another.

Hardware Discussion HP plotters are popular at the geological surveys HP plotters are popular at the geological surveys With the HP time horizon, is it possible to buy identical models? With the HP time horizon, is it possible to buy identical models? Is your agency planning a hardware purchase? Is your agency planning a hardware purchase? Canada - recently purchased a RAID box for archives and a large format scanner to scan all our legacy maps. Canada - recently purchased a RAID box for archives and a large format scanner to scan all our legacy maps. Illinois - purchased a dedicated computer for RIP software Illinois - purchased a dedicated computer for RIP software Illinois – want to acquire hardware for color calibration Illinois – want to acquire hardware for color calibration

Supplies, Trials and Tribulations Large-format printers

Supplies Stocking supplies for ISGS plotters less tricky. Stocking supplies for ISGS plotters less tricky. One plotter, 1055cm, became the favorite. One plotter, 1055cm, became the favorite. Popular plotter burns through plain paper. Popular plotter burns through plain paper. Other supplies sit on shelves. Other supplies sit on shelves. Older plotters side idle almost all the time. Older plotters side idle almost all the time. HP3500cp, HP750c HP3500cp, HP750c Newer 5500 slowly attracting users. Newer 5500 slowly attracting users.

Supplies – Print Media Criteria for selecting media. Criteria for selecting media. Illinois Illinois Media that does not smudge easily, and is resistant to smudging in humid conditions. Media that does not smudge easily, and is resistant to smudging in humid conditions. Sufficient thickness, paper should not feel weak or flimsy. Sufficient thickness, paper should not feel weak or flimsy. Canada Canada How well it held the inks (without bleeding). How well it held the inks (without bleeding). A poundage that would be easy to fold. A poundage that would be easy to fold.

Supplies – Print Media Canada Canada 27 pound bond paper 27 pound bond paper Small company that gets their paper from the same manufacturer as HP. Small company that gets their paper from the same manufacturer as HP. Clear film, Semi-Gloss Photo, and Tyvek. Clear film, Semi-Gloss Photo, and Tyvek. Illinois Illinois 98 gram Presentation Grade Matte (Magic) 98 gram Presentation Grade Matte (Magic) PSDRY8 Photo-Dry Satin Photo Paper. PSDRY8 Photo-Dry Satin Photo Paper. Clear film, Tyvek, and Waterproof paper. Clear film, Tyvek, and Waterproof paper. Kentucky Kentucky Coated bond paper. Coated bond paper. Heavyweight or Photo-based paper. Heavyweight or Photo-based paper.

Supplies – Print Media Oregon Oregon We're satisfied with Oce media. We're satisfied with Oce media. Pennsylvania Pennsylvania HP heavyweight paper. HP heavyweight paper. Virginia Virginia 3M 6060 Waterproof paper used on rare occasions. 3M 6060 Waterproof paper used on rare occasions. Does have another source for waterproof paper? Does have another source for waterproof paper?

Supplies - Ink Standard dye inks Standard dye inks Illinois Illinois Kentucky Kentucky Oregon Oregon Virginia Virginia Canada (posters, displays) Canada (posters, displays) UV-resistant inks UV-resistant inks Ohio Ohio Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Minnesota Minnesota Canada (field maps) Canada (field maps)

Supplies - Ink Kentucky - Dye Kentucky - Dye We are using dye-based ink, so the plots do fade quicker than UV and are sensitive to water. Lamination is an answer to this drawback. We are using dye-based ink, so the plots do fade quicker than UV and are sensitive to water. Lamination is an answer to this drawback. Virginia - Dye ink Virginia - Dye ink We typically use the dye ink and warn people that it is not UV resistant. We typically use the dye ink and warn people that it is not UV resistant. We do stock some UV-resistant ink. However, we don't keep much in stock as we find it doesn't keep well. It tends to separate and clog up. We do stock some UV-resistant ink. However, we don't keep much in stock as we find it doesn't keep well. It tends to separate and clog up.

Supplies - Ink Minnesota- UV Minnesota- UV We don't buy any maps from anyone who uses dye ink. We find that the dye ink prints are washed out and unusable after 6 months because deterioration. We don't buy any maps from anyone who uses dye ink. We find that the dye ink prints are washed out and unusable after 6 months because deterioration. Canada - UV Canada - UV We find the UV to be lighter in saturation then the Dye, but we thought the UV was more important. We find the UV to be lighter in saturation then the Dye, but we thought the UV was more important. We have test plots of UV and Dye based inks that were taken into the field for 4 weeks. We have test plots of UV and Dye based inks that were taken into the field for 4 weeks.

Supplies - Ink Canada Canada We have test plots of UV and Dye based inks. We have test plots of UV and Dye based inks. Set 1 – samples plotted last week. Set 1 – samples plotted last week. Set 2 – samples that spent 4 weeks in the field. Set 2 – samples that spent 4 weeks in the field.

Software Trials and Tribulations File output and RIP

Software at the ISGS 2 Operating systems (UNIX and PC) 2 Operating systems (UNIX and PC) 9 software packages to generate for-plot files 9 software packages to generate for-plot files 15 to 20 file formats within production paths 15 to 20 file formats within production paths 5 methods to RIP (Raster Image Processor) files 5 methods to RIP (Raster Image Processor) files 6 custom programs to ‘streamline’ plot submissions 6 custom programs to ‘streamline’ plot submissions 9 common plot file production paths 9 common plot file production paths (not to bad, considering variables multiply to 256) (not to bad, considering variables multiply to 256)

Software at the ISGS All these choices got overwhelming for users. All these choices got overwhelming for users. Oldest method you know, for as long as possible. Oldest method you know, for as long as possible. Send any file direct to plotter, keep fingers crossed. Send any file direct to plotter, keep fingers crossed. Onboard RIP on 1055cm became very popular. Onboard RIP on 1055cm became very popular.

RIP Options at the ISGS Onyx became RIP choice focus for ISGS team. Onyx became RIP choice focus for ISGS team. It the industry leading RIP. It the industry leading RIP. Were disappointed with out-of-the-box trial version. Were disappointed with out-of-the-box trial version. Spent time with Onyx software consultants. Spent time with Onyx software consultants. Sophisticated installation and set up. Sophisticated installation and set up. “Plotting with Onyx” seminars offered early “Plotting with Onyx” seminars offered early 2005.

RIP Options at Other Agencies Oregon - Internal RIP, which we're happy with. Oregon - Internal RIP, which we're happy with. Pennsylvania - Internal RIP Pennsylvania - Internal RIP Kentucky - 800ps onboard RIP. Kentucky - 800ps onboard RIP. Print directly out of various software programs. Print directly out of various software programs. Print PDF's distilled in Adobe Acrobat from exported EPS files or PS files. Print PDF's distilled in Adobe Acrobat from exported EPS files or PS files. print to file using a PS print driver. print to file using a PS print driver.

RIP Options at Other Agencies Geologic Mapping Institute Geologic Mapping Institute Designated plotter as a Windows printer; it does not have an on-board RIP. It prints quite well this way. Designated plotter as a Windows printer; it does not have an on-board RIP. It prints quite well this way. Does not take advantage of ArcPress, so we are considering a software RIP. Does not take advantage of ArcPress, so we are considering a software RIP.

RIP Options at Other Agencies Virginia Virginia ArcGIS 9 using ArcPress ArcGIS 9 using ArcPress If it is very large, we save it as a tif file and RIP it using a separate program. If it is very large, we save it as a tif file and RIP it using a separate program. Canada - software RIP, Zeh Canada - software RIP, Zeh Illinois – software RIP, Onyx Illinois – software RIP, Onyx

RIP Options at Other Agencies Canada - Zeh RIPware met our criteria. Canada - Zeh RIPware met our criteria. Able to rip postscripts from ArcInfo software Able to rip postscripts from ArcInfo software Able to track accounting stats Able to track accounting stats user, footage of paper and inks used, etc user, footage of paper and inks used, etc Have a web based interface for submitting files. Have a web based interface for submitting files. Bonus: all code was sent to us, allowing us to modify the interface specifically for our needs. Bonus: all code was sent to us, allowing us to modify the interface specifically for our needs. Collecting project numbers to charge, etc. Collecting project numbers to charge, etc.

Software Discussion Onyx at ISGS (after custom set up) Onyx at ISGS (after custom set up) Fast and consistent Fast and consistent Pretty good color adjustment tools Pretty good color adjustment tools Good file management display Good file management display Control over scaling, rotation, output device, etc. Control over scaling, rotation, output device, etc. Accepts.ps, tiff, pdf, jpg and other file formats Accepts.ps, tiff, pdf, jpg and other file formats Best format is a device independent postscript file. Best format is a device independent postscript file. Can be used with any plotter. Can be used with any plotter. Contains the color model, profile and rendering intent. Contains the color model, profile and rendering intent.

Software Discussion File creation and submission process documented for ISGS staff. File creation and submission process documented for ISGS staff. PDF file creation, for archival purposes. PDF file creation, for archival purposes. Postscript (PS) file creation, device independent. Postscript (PS) file creation, device independent. Submission of PS file for plotting via Onyx. Submission of PS file for plotting via Onyx. Layout orientation, desired media, target plotter. Layout orientation, desired media, target plotter. Hard Copy output from plotter. Hard Copy output from plotter. Onyx will hold plot until specified media is loaded on target plotter. Onyx will hold plot until specified media is loaded on target plotter.

Software Discussion

Discussions Other Trials and Tribulations

Other Discussion Topics Canada Canada Tracking who is using our plotters and charging back the cost to them. We have: Tracking who is using our plotters and charging back the cost to them. We have: Cross-Canada sales outlets plot orders from the public Cross-Canada sales outlets plot orders from the public Production cartographers creating check plots Production cartographers creating check plots Geologists making plots for their field studies Geologists making plots for their field studies Basic "walk-in" services. Basic "walk-in" services. It gets a little nuts keeping track. It gets a little nuts keeping track.

Other Discussion Topics Canada Canada In the midst of creating an accounting system. In the midst of creating an accounting system. Trying to link up a cross-Canada on-demand plot archive for regional sales outlets. Trying to link up a cross-Canada on-demand plot archive for regional sales outlets. A RIPped file is pulled from an archive in Ottawa which can be plotted at any of our sales outlet plotters. A RIPped file is pulled from an archive in Ottawa which can be plotted at any of our sales outlet plotters.

Discussion Topics What other issues will your agency be facing? Ohio Ohio We have had IT problems with print drivers. We have had IT problems with print drivers. Our Survey is lacking an expert in this field. Our Survey is lacking an expert in this field. We have one person trying to figure out the printing; he seems to have given up on this issue. We have one person trying to figure out the printing; he seems to have given up on this issue. Oregon Oregon We had many "out of memory" errors when sending large files to the 3500ps. We're hoping the 5500ps solves this. We had many "out of memory" errors when sending large files to the 3500ps. We're hoping the 5500ps solves this.

Successes Short Term Solutions and Long Term Planning

ISGS Short Term Solutions Monetary priorities for Hardware and Software Monetary priorities for Hardware and Software First priority, new HP5500 plotter. First priority, new HP5500 plotter. Second priority, Onyx and a robust PC. Second priority, Onyx and a robust PC. Discontinue maintenance for older plotters. Discontinue maintenance for older plotters. Logistical priorities for Media and Ink Logistical priorities for Media and Ink Last priority, ordering supplies for older plotters. Last priority, ordering supplies for older plotters. Stock special media only for newer plotters. Stock special media only for newer plotters. Stock only draft (cheaper) media for older plotters. Stock only draft (cheaper) media for older plotters.

ISGS Long Term Planning 15 to 20 file formats within past production paths. 15 to 20 file formats within past production paths. 12 legacy file formats in ‘plot on demand’ archive. 12 legacy file formats in ‘plot on demand’ archive. With respect to Onyx compatibility. With respect to Onyx compatibility. We have legacy files that need to be re-constructed. We have legacy files that need to be re-constructed. Ultimately want files that specify plotting parameters. Ultimately want files that specify plotting parameters. Device independent PS file with embedded color profile. Device independent PS file with embedded color profile.

ISGS Long Term Planning Purchase second HP 5500 if monies available. Purchase second HP 5500 if monies available. Keep popular RIP options until Onyx wins. Keep popular RIP options until Onyx wins. Allow hardware RIP on 1055 to continue. Allow hardware RIP on 1055 to continue. Refrain from buying plotters with hardware RIP. Refrain from buying plotters with hardware RIP.