Plotter

[watergirl]

Is there a way to print a process flow (diagrams/models) on a plotter?  Rather than print all diagrams on 8.5 x 11 paper and tape them together, is there a way to print the whole process on a plotter?

[Geert Bellekens]

If you need to ask this question, you're doing it wrong!
It is a generally accepted best practice to limit the size of your diagram. For me each diagram should be printable on an A4/Letter size of paper, if not there's too much on the diagram, and it should be split up into smaller diagrams.

It's much the same as the best practices for coding, you're not supposed to put thousands of lines of code withing a single operation.


Geert

PS. Regarding you're actual question, I don't have a clue, never worked with plotters before, sorry :-/

[Steven]

@Geert - maybe he just want to print a diagram on a large-scale size for a presentation and is not in the posession of a SMART-board. Other then that I agree that if a diagram is too large/busy you better start splitting it up.

@Watergirl - works just like a regular printer. Just install the drivers or make a connection and send the file.

[watergirl]

Either I didn't explain myself clear enough or you answered the question in that you cannot print more than one diagram/model at a time.  I want to print a whole process, which includes anywhere from 5 to 20 diagrams/models on one sheet rather than printing them on multiple sheets and taping them together.  From your response, I gather this is not possible.  

If you need to ask this question, you're doing it wrong!
It is a generally accepted best practice to limit the size of your diagram. For me each diagram should be printable on an A4/Letter size of paper, if not there's too much on the diagram, and it should be split up into smaller diagrams.

It's much the same as the best practices for coding, you're not supposed to put thousands of lines of code withing a single operation.


Geert

PS. Regarding you're actual question, I don't have a clue, never worked with plotters before, sorry :-/

[Geert Bellekens]

You could, if you use Diagram frames, put multiple diagrams onto one diagram, and then print that.
To do so drag a diagram onto another diagram and choose the first option: Diagram Frame.

Geert

[watergirl]

Makes sense, I can try this, was hoping it wouldn't take extra work to do.

You could, if you use Diagram frames, put multiple diagrams onto one diagram, and then print that.
To do so drag a diagram onto another diagram and choose the first option: Diagram Frame.

Geert

[Peter Doomen]

I often need to do that! For example, to guide an interactive workshop, it pays to print the page on A0 sized paper. Here's how I do that: copy the diagram to the clipboard with ctrl-b, then go to visio, paste it with ctrl-v and stretch it on the page. Then simply print it from Visio (or whatever diagramming tool you have that can work with the plotter).

Alternatively, you can compose a diagram of multiple EA diagrams, for example if you need to show different aspects of the model: the business process, the requirements, the information model...

[watergirl]

Makes sense, thanks for the feedback.  

I often need to do that! For example, to guide an interactive workshop, it pays to print the page on A0 sized paper. Here's how I do that: copy the diagram to the clipboard with ctrl-b, then go to visio, paste it with ctrl-v and stretch it on the page. Then simply print it from Visio (or whatever diagramming tool you have that can work with the plotter).

Alternatively, you can compose a diagram of multiple EA diagrams, for example if you need to show different aspects of the model: the business process, the requirements, the information model...