Plotting for dummies.....

[edortizr6]

Ok, I give up. I’ve been trying to get this plotting to scale thing down with no success. Sometimes the drawing is to scale and sometimes it’s not. I have a drawing that I want to print on 8.5x11 paper. Here are the steps I’m taking:

I multiply the printable area by 40, 50 or 60 (whatever scale fits best). In my case it’s 7.92x10.55 X 100 / 12 = 66’x87.92’.

In model space I draw a rectangle 66’x 87.92’ and position the drawing inside the rectangle to see what the drawing will look like at a scale of 1:100.

I than go to paper space select View > toolbars > Viewport for the viewport dialog box and select the 1:100 option.

It’s close to the scale that I want, but it’s a bit off. Can anyone tell me what I’m doing wrong?

[pennylove]

Umm...that seems like an odd way of scaling. The first thing to remember about scaling viewports, is once you get the viewport to scale, and you use your wheel mouse to zoom in or out, the scale will be off. The best thing to do once you scale a viewport is to pan around the drawing (careful not to zoom) and then type in PS to get into paperspace. Then select the viewport and lock it immediately!!!

But to answer your question with a different method, to scale inside an active viewport, type in "zoom" then type in "1/dimscaleXP". For example: a scale of 1/4" = 1'-0", you would type in "zoom" then "1/48XP". Don't forget the XP part!!

The hardest part about this is figuring out the dimscale.

[Tconn]

I work with metric so for a drawing drawn in metres the base scale is
1xp for 1:1000
All scales after that are factors of 1000 i.e. 1000/100=10
Therefore 10xp = 1:100 scale
5xp for 1:200
4xp for 1:250
2xp for 1:500
0.5xp for 1:2000
0.4xp for 1:2500
0.2xp for 1:5000
0.1xp for 1:10000
0.05xp for 1:20000

[edortizr6]

Umm...that seems like an odd way of scaling

First, thanks for the reply.

I'm assuming there are a number of ways to scale because everytime someone explains it to me, it seems different. I've been doing trial and error and that way seems to get me closest to whatever scale I need.

I believe I tried it the way you've suggested and got the same results. I dunno, I'll try it again and repost.

Thanks again.

[Tconn]

If you draw everything at 1:1 there will be no need to scale drawings up or down by factors. All the scaling is Nxp in the viewports.

[WagglyFawn]

Yeah, do all your drawings in a 1 to 1 scale since your model space is limitless. Then scale in the paperspace. It sounds like you're creating WAY too much work for yourself. Also, are you saying that the scale is a bit off on your print outs? If so then all you need to do is calibrate your plotter correctly. I have the same problem at work, but 90% of my drawings are NTS so it's never a big deal.

[pennylove]

oops....forgot to mention always draw 1:1 in model space. That's a very important thing......

[edortizr6]

Hay guys, what's up? thanks for the replies.

I always draw 1:1 in model space. It's the print that's a bit off, Waggly. You said I have to calibrate the plotter......ah oh! that sounds like a lot more work for me. Well, for now I have to consentrate on getting my printer back online. Another problem in itself. Can't print until than.

[eldon]

Hi edoritzr6,

You were frighteningly near a sucessful plot before you posted your thread.

If your printable area is accurate, and your calculations were spot on for your scaling, then when you had the rectangle round your drawing, you can set the limits to bottom left corner to top right hand corner. Then stay in model space and go to plot. Here you want to plot to limits - set the sheet the right way up (portrait or landscape) - scale to fit. Do a full preview and there you go.

When you scale to fit, the actual scaling used will appear in the plot dialogue box, you just have to seach for it. This scale should be close to a recognizable number, that you can use in future to get an accurate plot.

You may have found in the meantime how to tame paper space, but plotting from model space is possible:D

[WagglyFawn]

I suppose that all works as well, eldon, but like my last post said, it's just creating too much work. Paperspace does everything you need it to. I don't think there's any reason edoritz needs to plot from model space.

[StykFacE]

I suppose that all works as well, eldon, but like my last post said, it's just creating too much work. Paperspace does everything you need it to. I don't think there's any reason edoritz needs to plot from model space.
not if he's plotting to scale anyways. for a quick plot just to get something on paper, sure - by all means use model space. everything else, and i do mean everything.... paperspace w/ viewports. 8)

[eldon]

I suppose that all works as well, eldon, but like my last post said, it's just creating too much work. Paperspace does everything you need it to. I don't think there's any reason edoritz needs to plot from model space.

I was trying to give advice to go on from where edoritzr6 had reached. Just setting limits and plotting seems to be less work than exploring paper space, which is a different concept to get your head around.

I must agree do differ about paper space and remain of the opinion that model space is more flexible for my use. :)

[edortizr6]

Ok....update.

I went into the viewport diolog (view > toolbars > viewport) and chose 1/400 and got a 40 scale which fits just fine. I'm a bit slow, lol. I think I'm understanding this scaling thing a bit better. I guess I took Tconn's route. Thanks to all though. :)

[edortizr6]

Repost - I didn't see my last post when I checked the first time. oops!