Editing Plotter (section)

===X–Y plotter===
An '''X–Y plotter''' is a plotter that operates in two axes of motion ("X" and "Y") in order to draw continuous vector graphics. The term was used to differentiate it from standard plotters which had control only of the "y" axis, the "x" axis being continuously fed to provide a plot of some variable with time. Plotters differ from [[inkjet]] and [[laser printer]]s in that a plotter draws a continuous line, much like a pen on paper, while inkjet and laser printers use a very fine matrix of dots to form images, such that while a line may appear continuous to the naked eye, it in fact is a discrete set of points.

X-Y plotters were categorized by two features: the format they could handle (from [[Paper sizes#A4|A4]] up to [[Paper sizes#A0|A0]], the largest papersheet available), and their architecture. The main architecture was flatbed plotters or table plotters. In this configuration the paper lays on a table and a carriage holds the pens. The whole carriage is moving on the X axis on the rail. This rail is moving on the Y axis along the structure of the table. The carriage was equipped of several type of pens depending on the manufacturers. Typically Rotring pens or Pentel pens were mostly used. Usually each carriage held several pens covering the various color needs; typically black, blue, red and green. The other system was roller plotters where the paper moved on the X axis on a large roller and the Y axis was covered by a carriage holding the pens; this carriage moved on a rail creating the Y axis. The main manufacturers of large-format (A0) plotters were Calcomp, a California-based company; and Benson, a French company especially present in Europe and the USSR. For the smaller formats Hewlett-Packard and Tectonics were the main suppliers.