How to Make Plot DWG in AutoCAD?

Understanding Plotting in AutoCAD

To effectively plot a DWG file in AutoCAD, a comprehensive understanding of the plotting process, layout setup, and necessary configuration steps is essential. Here’s a detailed guide to help you through these procedures.

Setting Up Your Layout for Plotting

1. Access the Appropriate Layout Tab: Open the AutoCAD application and navigate to the layout tab that you intend to work on. This tab will determine the area that will be printed.

2. Utilize the Output Tab: Click on the Output tab located in the top menu. From the options displayed, select the Plot panel and then choose the Page Setup Manager.

3. Select Page Setup: In the Page Setup Manager window, locate the Page Setups area. Here, you can either select an existing page setup that you intend to modify or create a new one.

4. Modify Existing Setup or Create a New One: If you’re altering a setup, click on the Modify button. If you wish to make a new setup, click the New button, provide a name for your page setup, and confirm by clicking OK.

5. Configure Printer and Paper Settings: Choose the printer you plan to use, along with the appropriate paper size. Ensure that the Plot Area dropdown is set to "Layout" to include the full layout within your print settings.

6. Finalizing Settings: Review your selected options and click OK when you’re satisfied. This will establish the fundamental setup for your plotting task.

Creating the DWG Plot Layout

1. Initiation of Line Drawing: Begin by selecting CAD from the interface. Choose the Draw Line tool and click to start drawing your first line. Typically, this should be started from the bottom part of your screen, dragging upwards to create the desired length.

2. Object Selection: After the line is completed, use the Select Objects tool to highlight the line you just created. Click on the Open Object edit button for further specifications regarding the line.

3. Line Specification Menu: In the Line Specification dialog box, you can adjust attributes such as color, line style, and thickness according to your preferences.

Executing the Plot

1. Choosing the Right Layout Tab: Click on the layout tab you plan to print to ensure it is the active workspace.

2. Navigating to the Page Setup: From the Layout tab in the Ribbon menu, access the Page Setup option again to make any last-minute adjustments if necessary.

3. Starting the Plot Process: Click the Plot option in the Output tab. This will bring up the plotting configuration window.

4. Selecting the Plotter: From the list, choose the plotter or printer you will be using to print your drawing.

5. Final Details: Confirm the paper size, plot area, and other necessary attributes. Once everything is set, click OK to initiate the plotting process.

Key Types of Plotting Areas

• Layout: Prints everything included within the designated layout area.
• Limits: Prints to the current grid limits set in your drawing.
• Extents: Captures all objects present in your entire drawing.
• Display: Outputs all visible objects within the drawing area.
• Window: Allows you to specify a custom area to print.

Managing Viewports in AutoCAD

1. Click the Layout Tab: Start by accessing the desired layout tab.

2. Set Layer Preferences: Ensure your current layer is set to a layer designed for layout viewports.

3. Insert Viewports: Click on the Layout tab and navigate to the Layout Viewports panel to insert a new viewport.

4. Positioning and Scaling: Choose a suitable scale from the list presented upon right-clicking, and click on the layout to place your viewport accordingly.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between model space and paper space in AutoCAD?

   • Model space is where your actual drawing is created, while paper space is used for arranging your final drawings on a sheet for printing, enabling layouts with a specific format.

2. How can I ensure the quality of my printed drawings is optimal?

   • To maintain high quality, select a compatible printer, choose the right paper size, and test different plotting resolutions in the settings to see what works best for your specific drawing.
3. Can I plot to PDF instead of a physical printer?
   • Yes, you can select a PDF printer from your list of available plotters in the plot configuration settings, allowing you to create a PDF version of your drawing.