How to copy a plot file to a USB printer

In order to send a plot file (.plt file) to a USB printer or plotter, the device must be shared. The plot file can then be copied to the printer share using the copy command from Windows. Follow these steps:

Share the Printer

The procedure for sharing a printer can vary by operating system. The steps below apply to a system running Windows® XP. 

1. On the Start menu (Windows), click Settings > Printers.
2. Right-click the USB printer icon. Click Sharing.
3. In the Printer Properties dialog box, on the Sharing tab, select the Share this printer option.
4. In the Share Name text box, enter the share name. It is strongly recommended that the share name contain no spaces and be no more than 8 characters long. For example, HP2600.
5. Click OK.

Copy the Plot File to the Printer

To copy the plot file to the USB printer

1. On the Start menu (Windows), click Run.
2. In the Run dialog box, enter cmd. Click OK.
3. In the Command Prompt window, enter the copy command syntax below to send the plot file to the printer. 
   
   copy path\filename /b file://computer-name/printer-share-name">\\computer-name\printer-share-name 
   
   

For example, to copy a plot file named house.plt that is located in the C:\drawings folder to a printer with the share name HP2600 that is connected to a computer named diamond, you would use the following command:

copy C:\drawings\house.plt /b file://diamond/HP2600">\\diamond\HP2600

Note: This command can be used from a remote computer or the computer that is connected directly to the USB printer.