To access the Change Port dialog, do one of the following:
- Right-click a device setup and click Change Port.
- Double-click the device tab.
The Settings section of this window changes depending on the port used to connect to the output device. Ports are listed in order of popularity for each device. Only the ports usable by the output device are listed. By default, the standard port for the device is selected, but you may still need to enter or edit some of the port settings.
Common Connections for Common Devices
The easiest way to check which port your device is to plug it in, take a note or a screenshot of the devices in the list, unplug it, and then note which device is missing. That is very likely the correct device. This list is for connecting without networking.
- General
- USB_Printer_0 or _1, etc.
- If you see this in your list, this generally the right device. It does not matter if the device is a printer or a cutter.
- Note that USB001, USB002, etc. are almost never used.
- USB_Printer_0 or _1, etc.
- Mimaki
- Mimaki connected via USB usually have a name such as MimakiUSB, the device model, and a long string of letters and numbers.
- If you don't see it and the USB_Printer_0 option doesn't work or is missing, you may need to install the Mimaki USB drivers, contact Mimaki for the driver.
- Mimaki connected via USB usually have a name such as MimakiUSB, the device model, and a long string of letters and numbers.
- Graphtec
- Use Graphtec USB
- If you have multiple Graphtec devices, they can all use this same port, and the USB driver can sort out which device is supposed to get the job.
- Use Graphtec USB
- Summa
- Use Summa USB 1-4
- Choose the one with the asterisk at the end of the name (Summa USB 1*)
- Use Summa USB 1-4
- HP Latex Cutters
- Use HP USB 1-4
- Choose the one with the asterisk at the end of the name (HP USB 1*)
- Use HP USB 1-4
Port | |||
TCP/IP | TCP/IP is the language that computers and devices use to communicate over the network. Use this port if your output device supports a network connection. This is the most common port for printers today and multiple cutters are also supporting network connections. | ||
TCP/IP address | The TCP/IP address of the output device (required). | ||
Port Number | The port number used for printing to the output device. Select from the list or enter a custom number. | ||
Find Device | Clicking this button will perform a search in your network for all printers. Not all printers or cutters support this. | ||
Test | Clicking test will send a ping command to the device to test the connection. | ||
USB | USB drivers are provided with output devices that support them. Be sure to install the proper drivers from the manufacturer when using these ports. If you have a USB-to-Serial adapter, use COM port as seen below. | ||
FILE | The File port allows you to save the output data as a file. The following settings are available: | ||
Prompt for file path for each file | Check to allow the software to prompt you to provide a filename for the output file when each job is saved to a file. | ||
Use custom extension | Check to enter the file extension you want to use for the output file in the space provided. | ||
Default Location | The default folder in which output files are placed. | ||
Folder | Outputs to a file in the specified folder using a naming convention specific to the output device. | ||
COM |
The serial communications port. This port is only supported by cutters. Much of the time, COM3 is the correct port and COM1 is rarely used. If you need help with this port, contact an IT specialist. |
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In addition to the standard serial port controls for bits per second, data bits, parity, stop bits and hardware/software flow control, there are checkboxes which enable/disable the following wires: | |||
DTR | Data Terminal Ready | ||
DSR | Data Set Ready | ||
RTS | Request To Send | ||
CTS | Clear To Send | ||
DCD | Data Carrier Detect | ||
LPT |
This port is rare today but might still be needed for some older printers. |
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Transmission buffer | The size of the transmission buffer in bytes. | ||
Check port state before sending | The software tests the printer for a connection before printing the job. | ||
Use standard LPT driver | Whenever possible, the software uses a custom LPT driver to increase the performance of the LPT port. Check to allow the software to use the standard Windows LPT driver instead. Performance diminishes, but reliability may enhance. The following settings enable when the custom driver is in use: | ||
Mode |
Use ECP (Enhanced Capabilities Mode) for the fastest possible transmission speed. EPP (Enhanced Parallel Port) is not as fast, but may be more compatible. |
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DMA | Using DMA can increase the maximum bit rate from 2 mbps to 4 mbps. | ||
Yield if device is busy | Check to allow the software to release the extra system resources used by the custom driver while the printer is busy. This may aid overall performance. | ||
SCSI | Use this port if your output device supports SCSI connection. This is also a very rare port today. | ||
Device | Select your SCSI Device | ||
SCSI Bus ID | Enter the Bus ID of your SCSI adapter | ||
SCSI Adapter ID | Enter the SCSI ID number of your SCSI adapter | ||
SCSI Target ID | Enter the SCSI ID number of your output device | ||
FTP | Output devices directly connected to a network may support FTP protocol. This allows the RIPed output file to be sent to the output device via FTP. | ||
Host name or IP address | The host name or IP address assigned to the output device (required). | ||
Printer/ Queue name | Depending on the output device, either this can be the printer name, such as pr1, or it can be the path to a UNIX print queue. |