@u[DRAFT]

@h[HANDLING PLOTTER FILES ON EDNET]


Notes of a meeting between Alec Nolan, Craig Stott and Brian Gilmore and
consequent discussions.

  1.  The problem is that it is not possible to move RCO plot files
      between EMAS and VMS or UNIX, or for the VAXs (ie both VMS and
      UNIX) to plot files on Calcomp type network plotters.

  2.  It is possible for the VAXs to plot on Hewlett Packard plotters
      (such as GP15) by FTPing an HPGL file to EMAS specifying an
      output device of 'GP15'.   In the future it should be possible
      for VMS systems to plot directly on GP15 etc using the Cranfield
      Package.
                                              @u[Action: B. Murdoch]

  3.  John Henshall is working on the transfer of binary files between
      EMAS and VAXs.   This is expected to be completed by about Xmas
      and will then allow RCO Plot Files to be transferred from EMAS
      to the VAXs.   There is a problem in the reverse direction for
      VMS in that VMS FTP will not allow a Fixed Format Record file to
      be transferred.   It will be necessary either to:-

         a) Create V80 files on VMS    -      @u[Action: CAST]

         b) and/or write a utility verify that
            CONVERT will convert Plotter files
            from F80 to V80            -      @u[Action: B. Murdoch]

      In any case, after a file has been transferred the format will
      @u[always] be V80 and all graphic software writers should be aware
      of this.
                                              @u[Action: All]

  4.  The above work will also allow VAXs to FTP and RCO Plot file to
      EMAS with an output device of 'GP23' and hence get the file
      plotted.

  5.  It was @u[not] seen as a requirement that VAXs could send RCO Plot
      File to EMAS for automatic conversion to HPGL and onward
      transmission to GP15 etc.   However, it would be desirable to
      have the GPLIST program available on VMS for the conversion.
      This position may have to be reviewed in the light of the 
      decision on a replacement plotter for GP23.

                                              @u[Action: M. Brown or CAST?]

  6.  Currently, HPGL files generated on EMAS cannot be sent to a
      plotter on VMS, this is because although it is a text file,
      the lines are arbitrarily long.   All software on EMAS should
      ensure that only lines of 80 characters or less are produced.

                                              @u[Action: M. Brown & N. Stroud]

  7.  The question of whether HP plotters can be used on a PAD
      has to be resolved.

                                              @u[R. Middleton]




                                                            B. A. C. Gilmore
                                                            6th December 1984.