Mega FP?8000 XL Instruction Manual - page 24
5.4 Load bitmap file (.fpf) generated in program Gerb2bmp into program Run_photo_USB by command
File‐Open. Selected file is shown in preview window, displays the overall image dimension (note that
displayed image dimension is 10 mm larger on all sides) and any user note created when bitmap file was
created in Gerb2Bitmap program. It is also possible to load hi‐res BMP file by selecting this BMP type of
file instead of Photoplotter Bitmap (FPF), but without preview, user notes and overall image dimensions
– do not forget to specify BMP resolution in Input resolution field.
Loaded file will be displayed, unless the file is bigger than 14 MB. Note, that image axis X will become
axis Y on the film on photoplotter drum, while image axis Y will be the horizontal axis of the film in
photoplotter. Click on button Run photoplotter and specify desired resolution of the plot. If needed, you
can specify Negative or/and Mirrored image to be plotted. Click on Plot button starts plotting.
When photoplotter starts to run, it needs some time to speed up the drum rotation. After drum reaches his
working revolution, it rotates 30 times to make sure, the rotation is stabilized. After that plotter starts to plot
and indicates time left for plotting. The front panel light labelled Laser lights to indicate plotting in progress.
When plotting is finished or interrupted (STOP button), laser head will return to the initial position and drum
will stop. Do not start plotting again, unless laser head has returned to its initial position.
6. How to make test films
Occasionally, it is needed to make test films, just to find out proper working conditions like light intensity or
plot accuracy.
‐To make test film to find out proper light intensity
Use strip of film, approx. 100 mm wide and 300 mm long and tape it to the drum (longer side over
drum).
Use command Tools – Plot Light Bar, where you set parameters like initial light intensity, automatic
light intensity increment and number of test images. Click OK and plot will start. As a result there will
be a number of small images automatically generated by software which were plotted with light
intensity starting from the initial one and increasing with every image. Now it is easy to compare
images and define the best one, where black area is completely black, but very thin lines are still
clean and sharp, without grey surroundings (overexposed). Make one more test if necessary. Enter
value of light intensity of the best image for given output resolution into light table under Light.
‐To make test film to check plot accuracy:
Use Setup‐Generate Test Grid Plot feature. This will generate raster plot in shape of 10 mm line grid
of specified dimensions (drum circumference and axis direction) and defined line thickness. Specify, if
you want to include parameters from Setup Table (they will be plotted in small size at the bottom of
the film). Plot two test films – they should be same when you mount them together. Rotate one of
them 90 degrees, flip one of them horizontally or vertically, they should be same.
What to do if plot is not accurate: