Cadalyst - September 2008 - (Page 19)

cadalystlabsreview Even in today’s digital world, not all files are fully useful in digital format, and at times must be output to paper for information sharing, markup, or portability to the field. neering in general, but I did not conduct a hands-on review of products this time around. And although this roundup certainly doesn’t cover every wide-format device on the market today, we hope it offers a good overview of the features and capabilities available in the latest hardware. Highquality choices are available to meet your immediate needs and provide room for growth. What to Look For Once you’ve ascertained that you need and can afford a wideformat scanner or printer, you’ll need to look at several factors to determine which devices could meet your needs. Factors in wide-format scanner selection. When considering wide-format scanners, you’ll need to know the largest sheet size that the scanner can handle. Thickness of the scanned original also could be a consideration. If you’re scanning thin and delicate originals, does the scanner offer a softpull setting for materials such as onionskin paper? For color scanners, how is the color calibrated for accuracy? Does the scanner use International Color Calibration (ICC) profiles? Does it include a calibration sheet or software-based color calibration? Are printer drivers available for the operating system that you plan to use or does it include an integrated controller? The software included with or available for a wide-format scanner can make or break its performance, so give this your utmost consideration. High-end scanning software tends to be expensive (if not included in the scanner price), so you’ll want to allow for any extra cost as you compare scanner options. Additionally, you’ll need to look at how the scanner connects to your network or workstation and make sure that the method of connection provides enough throughput to prevent major production bottlenecks. Be sure to examine the scanned images. Confirm that lines are generally complete, that broken lines don’t merge into continuous lines, and that colors are rendered accurately without obscuring detail. In the case of monochrome scanners, make sure that the grayscale representation of a given color doesn’t obscure important details of the original. Factors in wide-format printer selection. If you’re looking at wide-format printers and plotters, determine the maximum print size you’ll need to produce, whether the device can accommodate single-sheet feeds, a roll of paper, or multiple rolls. Will the rated output speed of the printer/plotter let you produce the quantities you need within your given time constraints? Does the printer have an integrated paper cutter for use with rolls, and what are the options when the print comes out — does it have a bin or an optional accessory stacker? Ink capacity, cost, and utilization are other ongoing and major considerations. What are the approximate costs for producing a print? Does the printer/plotter do batch operations that allow you to recall a given print job and replicate it in the future? You’ll need to consider servicing options, support, and how much on-site coverage, if any, is provided. If the printer/plotter has a hard drive — more common than not these days — what is the hard-drive capacity, and is it enough to accommodate the type of work you typically produce? How does the device connect to your network or the workstation that will be driving it? Are drivers available for the specific operating system and version you’re using? Your particular needs will add further questions to this list. Before committing to a specific device, look at its output. This is a major investment, and you’ll be living with the output for a long time, so you want to be reasonably sure that the device will produce printouts that meets your expectations. There’s a lot to consider when purchasing such sophisticated equipment, going well beyond the initial question of whether you can justify the purchase. The accompanying feature tables (www.cadalyst.com/0908scanner-table and www.cadalyst. com/0908printer-table) list many of the features of each device included in this roundup to help you compare capabilities and identify which systems could best meet your needs. SCANNERS SmartLF Cx 40c, Cx 40e, and Cx 40m SmartLF Cx 40 scanners are designed to provide fast, highquality scans, copies, or file distribution of large-format maps, engineering drawings, blueprints, site plans, architectural renderings, and other technical documents, making them a good choice for AEC, MCAD, and GIS professionals. Colortrac offers a broad range of wide-format scanners and regularly expands and updates its product line. The Colortrac SmartLF 40” scanners use deep-focus contact image sensor (CIS) technology for compact design, reduced weight, and low power consumption. All scanners in this series feature 2 + 4 all-wheel-drive Active Paper Transport (APT) for handling originals with care. APT applies a constant but minimum force, while achieving the required traction and accuracy. Access to the scan glass and pressure rollers for cleaning is quick and easy through the hinged APT. Colortrac 303.973.6722 www.colortrac.com Prices: $7,995, Cx 40c; $8,995, Cx 40e; and $6,495, Cx 40m Colortrac’s SmartLF Cx 40 scanners feature 2 + 4 all-wheel-drive Active Paper Transport for handling delicate originals with care. September 2008 cadalyst www.cadalyst.com 19 http://www.colortrac.com http://www.cadalyst.com/0908scanner-table http://www.cadalyst.com/0908printer-table http://www.cadalyst.com/0908printer-table http://www.cadalyst.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Cadalyst - September 2008

Cadalyst - September 2008 Contents Editor's Window Cad Central Tech Trends: Genie Out of the Bottle Cadalyst Labs Reviews: Big Tools for Big Jobs — Wide-Format Scanners and Printers Make Small Work of Large Projects Cadalyst Labs Reviews: AutoCAD 2009 — General-Purpose CAD Software Cadalyst Labs Reviews: AecBatchStylesEditor 2009 — CAD Standards Management Software for AEC Cad manager: Synchronize CAD Files over a Wide Area MCAD Modeling: Is 2D Drawing Doomed? Plm Strategies: More Bang for Your Truck Aec Insight: Works and Plays Well with Others Cad Cartoon Issue Indexes Hot Tip Harry: VBA Hints for Customizing AutoCAD

Cadalyst - September 2008

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