A plotter is a type of printer that prints vector graphics by interpreting commands from a computer to make line drawings on paper with one or more automated pens. Unlike a regular printer, a plotter can draw continuous lines on paper rather than multiple dots, like a traditional printer. Plotters are also referred to as large-format printers and wide-format printers. They were the first type of output device that could print high-resolution continuous lines, text, and images with color and generate graphics and full-sized engineering drawings. Plotters are more expensive than traditional printers and are frequently used for computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) and computer-aided engineering (CAE) applications, such as computer-aided design or CAD drawings. Plotters can work on large sheets of paper while maintaining high resolution, and they can print on a wide variety of flat materials including plywood, aluminum, sheet steel, cardboard, and plastic. Plotters allow the same pattern to be drawn thousands of times without any image degradation. Plotters are quite large compared to a traditional printer and are also more expensive than a traditional printer.