Library
Digimap
Using Adobe Illustrator to print Digimap eps files
When you have created a map in Digimap Carto, you can save the file either as a PDF or as an eps
(encapsulated postscript) file. We recommend that you save your map as an eps file, which can then
be opened in, and printed from, Illustrator, the graphics package which gives the best quality printouts
on our network.
You can also open an eps file and send it to print from other graphics packages, such as Paintshop Pro and
Photoshop, but the resolution will not be as sharp - for details see the Computer Services guide Getting Started
with Printing at Brookes https://www2.brookes.ac.uk/services/cs/documentation/getting_started/Printing.pdf.
Accessing Illustrator
To access Illustrator from a pooled computer room PC, go to the Start button > All Programs >
Graphics & CAD > Illustrator 10.
You must first create a new document of the correct size before you import the Digimap image.
You must also ensure that you have saved your document in Digimap in the same paper size as
your Illustrator document.
1)
Create a new document by going to the File menu > New. The New Document dialog box
opens (see illustration below).
2)
Give the document a file name by typing over “Untitled-1” in the Name box.
3)
EITHER: To create an A4 or A3 document to print to the GLA4A3Colour printer, choose A4
or A3 from the Size drop-down menu.
.
OR: To create an A3, A2 or A1 document to
print to one of the three types of colour
plotters, first select Custom from the Size
drop-down menu. Then input the dimensions
for the Width and the Height:
A3: 297 x 420mm
A2: 420 x 594mm
A1: 594 x 841mm
4)
5)
Set the Orientation (Digimap files are created
in portrait format, so this is recommended):
Portrait:
Landscape:
Click OK.
Opening Digimap eps in Illustrator
1) To import your Digimap eps file, click on the File menu > Place.
2) From the Place dialog box, select your Digimap file and uncheck the tick in the Link box (if
necessary).
3) Click on the Place button (if a ‘Font Problem’ dialog box appears, click OK). The Digimap file
will appear in the centre of the page within a blue grid. The grid will disappear when you click
anywhere on the white area.
www.brookes.ac.uk/library
Creating a new document in Illustrator
NB: At this stage the map will look blotchy on screen; it will, however, give a good quality printout.
You can use the zoom button to see the map in more detail.
Printing from Illustrator
1) Click on the File menu > Print Setup and choose your printer:
GLA4A3Colour
Matt_Plot
SemiGloss_Plot
PhotoGloss_Plot
A4 or A3
A3 or A1 (matt paper) *
A3 or A1 (semi gloss paper) *
A3 or A1 (photo gloss paper) *
* NB: Currently (March 2009) it is not possible to print an A2 Digimap document using Illustrator.
Computer Services hope to remedy this problem in the near future.
2) Follow the instructions given below for your selected printer:
GLA4A3Colour Printer A4 or A3
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
Choose the GLA4A3Colour from the Printer Name drop-down menu.
Go to Paper Size drop-down menu and choose A4 or A3.
Change the Orientation to Landscape if required (Portrait recommended). Click OK.
Click on the File menu > Print.
Click OK from the Print dialog box.
Matt_Plot Plotter A3 or A1 (matt paper)
1)
2)
3)
4)
Choose Matt_Plot from the Printer Name drop-down menu.
Go to Paper Size drop-down menu and choose ISO A3 or ISO A1.
Change the Orientation to Landscape if required.
Click on the Properties button and then Effects tab. In the Resizing Options box select ‘Print
document on’ and then choose ISO A3 or ISO A1 from the drop-down menu.
5) Click OK and then OK again.
6) Click on the File menu > Print.
7) Click OK from the Print dialog box.
Semi_Gloss Plotter (semi-gloss paper) and Photo_Gloss Plotter (photo-gloss paper) A3 or A1
1)
2)
3)
4)
Choose SemiGloss_ Plot or PhotoGloss_Plot from the Printer Name drop-down menu.
Go to Paper Size drop-down menu and choose A3 or A1.
Change the Orientation to Landscape if required.
Click on the Properties button and then Features tab. Select ‘Print document on’ and then
choose A3 or A1 from the drop-down menu.
5) Click on OK and then OK again.
6) Click the File menu > Print.
7) Click OK from the Print dialog box.
You can collect your colour print jobs from the Computer Services Centre (Abercrombie – Ground
Floor).
LS/RP March 2009