HP DesignJet T600 Series for AutoCAD: T630/T650 CAD Workflow
The HP DesignJet T600 series is a common small-office CAD plotter family with 24- and 36-inch options. AutoCAD users mainly need to control the correct driver, roll size, Page Setup and physical printable area.
Beginner takeaway: For T630/T650 workflows, separate 24-inch and 36-inch Page Setups and keep roll versus sheet-feeder media explicit.
Where this family fits in CAD plotting
T630/T650 devices fit small and mid-size CAD offices that need 24- or 36-inch technical output plus roll and automatic sheet-feed choices. The most useful office standard is to separate 24-inch, 36-inch, roll and sheet-feeder Page Setups so users do not change media manually for every plot.
- HP lists the T600 family in 24- and 36-inch widths and identifies T630/T650 models within the current family.
- The family includes roll-fed technical printing and an automatic sheet-feeder workflow.
- The wider 36-inch configuration can cover common ARCH E / ISO A0-class width requirements when the selected media supports them.
What matters in AutoCAD
- Choose the exact T600-series Windows/macOS printer installed on the workstation.
- For 24-inch and 36-inch offices, create separate named Page Setups rather than changing paper manually every plot.
- Keep sheet feeder and roll workflows distinct; the media source can affect available sizes.
Related CADPlotting guides: HP DesignJet CAD Printing Guide, AutoCAD Page Setup Manager Explained, and Large-Format Plotter Uses the Wrong Roll or Paper Source.
Beginner setup: create one reliable AutoCAD test Layout
Step 1 — Install the manufacturer driver first
Where: HP support site / operating-system printer settings
Do this: Install the driver intended for the exact device and operating system. Confirm the printer works outside AutoCAD before building a PC3.
Check: A test page or manufacturer utility can reach the device.
Step 2 — Open one AutoCAD Layout
Where: Layout tab > PAGESETUP > Modify
Do this: Select the system printer or approved PC3, then choose the real paper/roll size used for the test.
Check: The intended media is visible and the orientation matches the title block.
Step 3 — Keep the sheet at real paper size
Where: PAGESETUP > Plot Area / Plot Scale
Do this: For a prepared Layout, use the Layout workflow and keep the paper output at 1:1. Let viewport scale control the model view.
Check: Plot Preview shows the complete border without Fit to Paper.
Step 4 — Preview before hardcopy
Where: Ctrl+P > Preview
Do this: Inspect border edges, rotation, lineweights and raster content before sending a physical job.
Check: The Preview is correct before the plotter driver becomes part of the diagnosis.
Step 5 — Create a controlled PC3 only when useful
Where: PLOTTERMANAGER / Page Setup
Do this: Save a PC3 when you need repeatable device-specific settings that differ from the Windows/macOS printer defaults.
Check: The PC3 is named by device + media/office standard, not by a vague name such as ‘Plotter 1’.
Paper, rolls and printable area
HP exposes roll and sheet workflows through its driver. The selected source and loaded media can influence the options available to AutoCAD.
Check the actual device margin for each media. A title block that fits the 36-inch roll may not fit a cut-sheet workflow with the same nominal paper size.
Driver and PC3 strategy
Prefer the HP system printer driver, then save named Page Setups and a PC3 only where AutoCAD-specific settings need to be frozen.
Common CAD plotting problems with this family
| Symptom | Most likely hardware/driver layer | First check |
|---|---|---|
| 36-inch media missing | Driver/media source | Check loaded roll, driver version and Page Setup device. |
| Plot switches to sheet feeder | Driver media/source selection | Review Custom Properties and selected paper. |
| Scale is wrong after changing device | Page Setup reset | Reapply the named Page Setup instead of using Fit. |
| Border cut on one workstation only | Driver/PC3 mismatch | Compare the exact printer driver and PC3 mapping. |
What not to automate or assume
- Do not assume T630 and T650 workstations have identical drivers just because they are one family.
- Do not store the plot standard only in a user’s local Plot dialog history.
- Do not mix a 24-inch and 36-inch Page Setup under the same vague name.
Practical example
A T650 36-inch workstation unexpectedly switches from roll media to the sheet feeder. Open the same Layout’s Page Setup, confirm the intended 36-inch paper and inspect the HP source/media settings. Once the source is correct, save that combination as the named production Page Setup rather than relying on the last-used Plot dialog.
Verification before a real issue set
- Run AutoCAD Plot Preview from the named Page Setup.
- Create one PDF and compare page dimensions and scale.
- Print that same PDF or one direct test plot on the intended media.
- Check the border on all four sides, one known dimension, lineweight hierarchy and orientation.
- Only then save the Page Setup/PC3 as the office standard for that device.
Official references
Frequently asked questions
Should I use the generic HP-GL/2 driver for this DesignJet?
For modern HP DesignJet devices, Autodesk’s guidance points users to the current HP system printer driver. Use generic HP-GL/2 only when you have a specific supported/emulation reason.
Do I need a PC3?
Not always. Use one when AutoCAD needs saved device-specific overrides or a controlled office configuration.
Why can the PDF be correct while the physical plot is wrong?
Because the PDF proves the AutoCAD/PDF stage; the physical driver, media source, margins and device still act afterward.
Explore more in CAD Printers & Plotters Guide.