- What is Bentley MAPscript?
- What is a queue?
- How do I add jobs to a queue?
- Do I need to have a PostScript plotter?
- What image formats can be generated from Bentley MAPscript?
- What do I need to run Bentley MAPscript?
- Can Bentley MAPscript keep track of what was printed?
- Can I produce invoices for the plots generated?
1. What is Bentley MAPscript?
Bentley MAPscript is a server based plotting system for work places that require a fast, high quality, distributed plotting solution. It was designed as a complement to Bentley CADscsript, but is suitable for other production plotting scenarios. MAPscript is a queue-based system for plotting of large high quality postscript files, quickly and easily.
2. What is a queue?
A queue is a list of jobs to be plotted. Within a MAPscript queue, jobs can be reordered, and their printing priority set. A MAPscript queue is typically configured to process PostScript files and either print the files on a plotter, or alternatively generate images from the PostScript file.
3. How do I add jobs to a queue?
Jobs can be printed to a queue from any Windows application. Inside of a Windows application the queue looks just like a normal Windows printer. Alternatively you can use the MAPscript Monitor to add plots from your desktop. The MAPscript Monitor also provides functionality to control the plot in the queue including changing the order of the print, and changing the priority of the job.
4. Do I need to have a PostScript plotter?
No. MAPscript was specifically designed to plot in a plotter’s raw native format. The processing of the PostScript is done on the server providing a substantial performance gain over hardware-based PostScript plotters.
5. What image formats can be generated from Bentley MAPscript?
Image formats including TIFF, JPEG, BMP, and PDF, can all be generated from MAPscript. Once a plot has been processed into an image, it can either be stored on the server or returned to the owner of the plot for saving.
6. What do I need to run Bentley MAPscript?
MAPscript can be run on Windows NT, Windows 2000, or Windows XP. MAPscript can be configured to run as an NT service to provide uninterrupted queue availability. All communication between the MAPscript Server and the Clients on the network is done using the TCP/IP network protocol.
7. Can Bentley MAPscript keep track of what was printed?
Yes. MAPscript keeps a log of all Jobs printed, who printed them, what queue they were printed on, the time and date, and other information. Any errors that are generated are also logged.
8. Can I produce invoices for the plots generated?
MAPscript provides a fully customizable accounting package. MAPscript can produce departmental invoices that itemize all the plots printed by persons in a particular department. The invoice total is calculated based on the size of the print, the number of copies and the type of media used.