Understanding Printing Exact Size in AutoCAD
Printing at actual size in AutoCAD is essential for producing accurate drawings and layouts. Follow this comprehensive guide to ensure your prints reflect the dimensions you created in your design.
Preparing Your Drawing for Printing
1. **Open Your Drawing**: Launch AutoCAD and open the drawing you wish to print.
2. **Select the Layout**: Navigate to the appropriate layout tab at the bottom of your workspace where your design is displayed.
Accessing the Plot Configuration
1. **Open the Plot Dialog**: Go to the Output tab on the ribbon, then click on the Plot panel. Select ‘Plot’ from the dropdown list to open the plot settings.
2. **Choose the Printer**: In the ‘Printer/Plotter’ section of the dialog box, select the appropriate printer that allows for precise size printing, often an AutoCAD PDF plotter.
Setting the Page Setup
1. **Page Setup Manager**: Locate and click on the ‘Page Setup Manager’ in the Plot dialog. This feature helps you define the print settings specific to your layout.
2. **Modify Page Setup**: Highlight your selected page setup and click ‘Modify’. This action opens another dialog box where you can adjust details.
3. **Set Plot Area**: Choose the ‘Window’ option to specify the exact area of your drawing that you want to print. Use your cursor to select the corners of the area you wish to print.
4. **Configure Plot Scale**: In the same dialog, set the ‘Plot Scale’ to 1:1. This setting ensures that your drawing prints at its actual size.
5. **Orientation and Paper Size**: Make sure to select the correct paper size and orientation that matches your project’s requirements.
Final Adjustments before Printing
1. **Preview Your Print**: Before proceeding, utilize the ‘Preview’ function to verify that everything looks correct. This step may save you time and resources by ensuring no errors exist in your print settings.
2. **Select Print Options**: Adjust any printer-specific settings, such as quality or color preferences. Confirm that the option to fit the drawing to the page is unchecked to maintain actual dimensions.
Executing the Print Command
1. **Print the Drawing**: Click ‘OK’ to begin the printing process. Make sure that your printer is ready and loaded with the proper paper.
2. **Check the Output**: After printing, measure a few key dimensions on your printout to confirm that it corresponds accurately to your original drawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. **What should I do if my printout is not the correct size?**
– Ensure that the ‘Plot Scale’ is correctly set to 1:1 and that the option to fit to paper is unchecked. Double-check your printer settings as well.
2. **Can I print to PDF at actual size using AutoCAD?**
– Yes, selecting an AutoCAD PDF plotter allows you to print to PDF at the actual size. Just ensure you maintain the 1:1 scaling in your plot settings.
3. **What is the difference between model space and paper space in AutoCAD?**
– Model space is where you create your actual design at a full scale, while paper space is used for arranging multiple views and preparing layouts for printing. Choosing the correct space is essential for accurate printing.
