Understanding Custom Paper Sizes in AutoCAD
Printing on a custom-sized paper in AutoCAD can enhance the presentation of your designs. Follow this guide to learn how to define and use a custom paper size effectively.
Creating a Custom Paper Size
1. Open AutoCAD and navigate to the Ribbon menu.
2. Access the ‘Application’ menu by clicking the AutoCAD logo.
3. Select the ‘Print’ option, then choose ‘Page Setup Manager’.
4. In the Page Setup Manager dialog, click on ‘Modify’ for the desired layout.
5. Switch to the ‘Printer/Plotter’ tab and select your printer.
6. Move to the ‘Device and Document Settings’ tab.
7. Locate ‘User-Defined Paper Sizes & Calibration’ and double-click it.
8. Choose ‘Custom Paper Sizes’ and then click on ‘Add’.
9. Define your paper dimensions and give it a name. Click ‘OK’ to save your new paper size.
Importing a Custom Paper Size
1. Go back to the Plotter Configuration Editor by following steps 1 and 2 from the previous section.
2. Under ‘Device and Document Settings’, select ‘Custom Paper Sizes’ again.
3. Click on the ‘Add’ button to start the Custom Paper Size wizard.
4. Follow the wizard prompts to specify the dimensions and finalize the import. Ensure the new paper size is visible in the custom sizes list.
Setting Paper Size for Printing
1. Access the Start Menu and navigate to ‘Settings’, then ‘Printers’.
2. Identify your printer in the list, right-click, and select ‘Properties’.
3. Go to the ‘Paper’ tab and find the ‘Paper Size’ drop-down menu.
4. Choose your custom paper size from the options and press ‘OK’.
5. Close the printer properties window to confirm settings.
Printing a Specific Area in AutoCAD
1. To print a selected area, press Ctrl+P (or Cmd+P on Mac).
2. This opens the Print Settings dialog. Here, choose your sheet size and set the drawing to the center if necessary.
3. For the print region, use the drop-down menu to select ‘Display’, ‘Layout’, or ‘Window’ based on your requirements.
4. Click ‘OK’ to print the designated area.
Creating a Customized Layout in AutoCAD
1. Go to the relevant layout tab at the bottom of your AutoCAD workspace.
2. Click on the ‘Layout’ tab on the Ribbon.
3. In the Layout panel, select ‘Page Setup’.
4. Click ‘New’ to create a new page setup.
5. Assign a name that reflects the settings, and then click ‘OK’.
6. Select your printer, adjust paper size, and ensure ‘Plot Area’ is set to ‘Layout’.
7. Confirm your settings by clicking ‘OK’.
Common Paper Sizes and Their Dimensions
– A1: 594 x 841 mm
– A3: 297 x 420 mm (11.7 x 16.5 inches)
– A4: 210 x 297 mm (8.3 x 11.7 inches)
Working with PMP and Print Settings
After defining custom settings or calibrating your plotter, AutoCAD generates a Plotter Model Parameter (PMP) file which stores your calibration results. This file is linked to the plotter configuration (PC3) and can be essential for maintaining consistent printing quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do if my custom paper size doesn’t appear when printing?
Ensure that the paper size was correctly defined in the Plotter Configuration Editor and that the correct printer is selected in the Page Setup Manager.
Can I create multiple custom paper sizes in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can create multiple custom sizes by repeating the process of adding new sizes in the ‘Custom Paper Sizes’ section of the Plotter Configuration Editor.
Why does my printed drawing look different than it does on screen?
Discrepancies can arise from different settings in your Print Setup or scaling issues. Always check the ‘Plot Scale’ in your page setup to ensure it matches your drawing’s intended dimensions.
