This is a shot for you computer wizards out there. I have developed a way to design rocker templates using Adobe Illustrator. No problem The problem comes when I try to print to my HP5000 plotter, There seems to be a conflict between the Illustrator software & the plotter software. I am using 36" roll stock so I have all the length I need to print. The problem is that the Illustrator program cuts of at 60" Any wizards out there who can help me out?? contact Ray Thanks in advance. The end goal here is to make close tollerance patterns for eps blanks http://www.raymosslongboards.com
I’m using Illustrator as well (I unfortunately don’t have access to a plotter). In “Document setup”, did you make sure that “Single Full Page” is turned on ? Is your paper size set in both “Document Setup” and “Print Setup” (sometimes it automatically switches back to default settings) ? Did you try to set the actual size instead of selecting the 36" roll ? Pierre PS : I’m not an experienced shaper. I’m trying to design a classic 9’8"longboard (heavy weight, 50-50 rails …). Here’s what it looks like so far (metric units) Any advice on the rocker ? Is it OK if my outline widest point is not aligned with the rocker lowest point ? 
I’m using Illustrator as well (I unfortunately don’t have access to a plotter). In “Document setup”, did you make sure that “Single Full Page” is turned on ? Is your paper size set in both “Document Setup” and “Print Setup” (sometimes it automatically switches back to default settings) ? Did you try to set the actual size instead of selecting the 36" roll ? Pierre PS : I’m not an experienced shaper. I’m trying to design a classic 9’8"longboard (heavy weight, 50-50 rails …). Here’s what it looks like so far (metric units) Any advice on the rocker ? Is it OK if my outline widest point is not aligned with the rocker lowest point ? 
Pierre, thanks for the info. I will try it out later today & keep you posted. As for your rocker question, (a good one) I would like to hear some other opinions, like mabey Jim ‘the genius’ or some of the other more seasoned professionals, but here is my take on wide point vs low point of rocker. I think they should be close, as the widht is the planing surface & the thickness is the floatation factor. The thickest & widest points are the natural piviot & balance point of the shape. On a full longboard cruiser it is not a critical, but for high performance LB’s & shorter shapes it becomes a major perfomance factor. http://www.raymosslongboards.com
I’ve run into some small problems in Illustrator when the size of an object is enlarged past a certain point… e.g. effects such as ‘inner glow’ will disapear. It always seemed odd to me, concidering that it’s a vector problem, size really shouldn’t matter. We were actually able to scale the size down systematically and pinpoint the exact size at which it stopped working… unfortunately I don’t remember what that is. I 'll have to go back and check. Adobe does seem to focus their attention on computer media…
i have had a similar problem with printing templates to a roll on a plotter, though it was from autocad. are you using windows ? if so, i had success by setting up a custom paper size in the windows printer setup.
Setting the custom paper size helps… but most printers are limited to a maximum of ‘super B’ size - 13 x 19. I’ve never used a plotter… hmmm, maybe I can convince work that we need one.
yeah, but plotters are different. here is the setting menu you typically have with a plotter. 
Brian, were you able to make it work? I am running Windows XP. Adobe illustrator 10, to an HP 5000 plotter. (will Plot for Advice!) http://www.raymosslongboards.com
hi ray, yeah, it looks like it works on illustrator too. the thing you have to do is setup a custom paper size. here is a screen shot of what i tried. choose your plotter in the print options, then choose “custom 1” for paper size. then edit the paper size. for this test, since i have a 36" wide roll, i set the paper size to be just under the roll size. make your paper size about the same size as your artboard size. i am no expert in illustrator, as i use autocad mainly. but i checked it out in illustrator ,and it seems to work. as a test, i just printed out this little board. brian
sorry, the link isn’t working ? (host down or something ??) try this - http://www.momentoffame.com/snapshot.html?id=57223