How To Print A Window In AutoCAD?

Understanding How to Print a Window in AutoCAD

Printing a specific portion of a drawing in AutoCAD can be crucial for various projects. Follow this detailed guide to successfully print a selected window within your drawing.

Step 1: Open the Print Settings

Start by accessing the Print Settings. For Windows users, press Ctrl + P; for Mac users, use Cmd + P. This will bring up the print dialog box where you can configure your settings.

Step 2: Configure Your Print Setup

1. Choose Sheet Size: In the print dialog box, find the option for ‘Paper Size’ and select the appropriate sheet size required for your project.

2. Center the Drawing: Look for the option that allows you to center the drawing on the selected sheet. This will ensure that your work is positioned correctly for printing.

Step 3: Select the Print Area

You’ll find an option to define the print area, usually accessible via a dropdown menu. Common choices include:

• Display: This prints everything currently visible on the screen.
• Layout: This prints the entire layout as set up in your model.
• Window: Choose this option when you want to print a specific segment. After selecting this, you will be prompted to define the window.

Step 4: Define the Print Window

1. Once you select Window, your cursor will turn into a crosshair.
2. Click once to set one corner of the area you wish to print.
3. Move the cursor diagonally to the opposite corner of the desired print area and click again. This rectangle defines the specific region you want to print.

Step 5: Set Print Scale and Orientation

After defining the window:

1. Adjust Scale: If you require a specific scale for your printout, check the options available in the dialog. Remember that AutoCAD uses millimeters for scaling, so you might need to convert your dimensions accordingly.

2. Choose Orientation: Decide if you want the print in portrait or landscape mode based on the layout of your design.

Step 6: Finalize and Print

1. Review all selected options in the print dialog. Make sure that the printer you intend to use is connected and selected.
2. Click the OK or Print button to send your drawing to the printer.

FAQ

1. Can I print multiple areas at once?
No, you need to define each window individually for printing. Each print job must be set with a specific window if different sections are required.

2. What should I do if my drawing doesn’t fit the page correctly?
Ensure that you have set the correct paper size and that your print area doesn’t extend beyond the boundaries of the page. You can also adjust your drawing scale to fit.

3. How can I save my drawing as a PDF instead of printing it?
To save your drawing as a PDF, go to the Print Settings and select ‘AutoCAD PDF’ as your printer. This will allow you to create a PDF file instead of sending it to a physical printer.