going bald - please help!.......

[MrMaggs]

I'm trying to place my site layout at its exact coord's. Scaling the plan down by 0.001 seems to be doing the trick, but the way we print out our drawings means that I cant get it to print out as well as before.
We set up our drawings as what we thought was 1:1, our paper size is set as the exactly the same size as a piece of paper allowing me to set my viewport 1/'scale' XP and it will print at the desired scale.
When its scaled down I cant print it the same way. its either zoom at 1/1 or 0.5 - what the difference with zoom XP and zoom 1/1 ?

Any ideas on how to fix this problem?

I know its almost the same as my other post, but as you can guess - im still at a loss..........:(

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28 days... 6 hours... 42 minutes... 12 seconds. That... is when the world... will end.

[Alan Cullen]

Maggsie, I'm assuming you are using base drawing measurments as mm, and want to get it all down to metres.

First, reduce the scale by 0.001, then move everything back onto grid. But make sure you have known coord points first. Just move everything from a known coord point back to its original coord point value.

I'm also assuming the azimuth is the same. Otherwise you will also have to rotate everything to survey grid. That will require a second known point.

Get back to me if I make no sense at all. :lol:

[Tiger]

I don't think that's the answe Alan...as far as I can tell Mr M has already moved everyting to correct coordinates, but it's not looking good plotted.

Can someone explain what 'Zoom XP' is?? :?

and I gotta say..I don't really get what's your problem Mr M? You mind explaining a bit more?

[NBC]

My interpretation of your question on this thread is that your paperspace is set up as 1 paper size (let's call it A1 for example).
You can print well to the same paper size (A1) as your paperspace is set up for.
Your problem arises when you wish to print to a paper size to anything other than what your paperspace is set up for (e.g. scaled printing) ?

Maybe you could enlighten us as to what paper size your paper space is set up for; and what paper size you are trying to print to, when your problem arises.

[Tiger]

I'm wondering if the lines have a Width to them that messes up the plots?

[PS_Port]

Mrmaggs to your real question... there is a range of thing that could effect the print quality or scale.
seems your are combining 2 drawings scaling down one to match another.
or metres to millimetres..maybe your co-ords are metres and your drawing is millimetres... a little more explanation is required.. I think, but what do I know..:)

Now to your thread title....Do it gracefully is my advice, no comb over..maybe alan could help alittle on that subject..:twisted: :twisted:

[MrMaggs]

Hello to all the usual suspects!
We have a Layout space for each paper size A0 - A4. In my view port I set the scale as eg. 1/500xp. When I plot the drawing I set my paper size to the same as the layout say A1, and the plot scale as 1:1.
when plotted I can measure the drawing as a 1/500 scale at A1 paper size.
The problem occurs when we try to move a drawing to its ' coords ' - is seems to be 1000 times too big.
when the drawing ( model space ) is scaled down, I cant plot it to any scale I choose by setting the viewport as zoom 1/***XP
To get it to 1/500 when plotted I need to change the plot scale from 1/1 to 1/0.5 and my viewport as 1:1.
Everything drawn is in mm, is there a way I can change the coords to match my units?
Its not making sense to me anymore, hope I have given you more of an idea of what might be wrong.
I'm here all day so please, if you can think of anything that might help I would be forever grateful.
And as for the going bald thing, I was thinking of just shaving it all off.......

[PS_Port]

Maggys, so you are moving your drawing from a reference point to the
required 'CO-ORDS' .......are the co-ords in the same units as the the drawing......
1:500 @ A1 must be something largish..maybe civil?, work as ex.?

as for scaling down your actual drawing in modelspace..thats not a good idea....

any screen shots..?

I'm not near my cad, but I'm near my beer not sure if its helping..:)

[Tiger]

well..i think I get how your thinking.. here's my stab at it (not the hair - I'm all for the shaved head - I like that look on blokes :) )

If I get this right, this is not a problem that can be solved - it's just a thing that is how it is.

You can't make the plot in the right scale, because in moving the drawing to the correct coords, you have already scaled it down a 1000 times.

or, well, you can set it to scale - but then it'll be Meters instead of Millimeters.

The coords in AutoCAD is absolute, there's no way to change that. You just gotta remember if you draw in millimeters or in meters.

To take an example from what I do.

we do all our drawings in millimeters (I do drawings for District heating pipes) and I often exchange drawings with others in the pipe business (water and waste water mostly) and with the City Gov's that provide us with the basic underlaying maps.

Now everytime I recieve a file from either of these instances - I have to remember to scale it up 1000 times when I x-ref it in. And everytime I am about to send something off to these guys I have to remember to scale my drawing down a 1000 times (easy task - scale - basepoint = 0,0,0 - scalefacto 1/1000) otherwise I know they will call me and ask what the hell have I done with my drawing.

So my pipes can have a typical starting coord of 870 505 635, 68 785 150 in millimeters. While others find my pipes at 870 505.635, 68 785.150 - which is in meters.

Anything that helps you Mr M? or have I succeded in confusing you further? :P

[Alan Cullen]

Paul, you ratbag, I still have a full crop of very blonde hair.

How very Swedish of me. :lol:

Maggsie, is your Model space still set up in mm? That will well and trully throw your plot scale out if you try to think in metres.

The plot scale of all tabs should be 1:1 at full size sheets. Set the required scales up in viewport properties.

Only ever set tabs up to the main sheet size you use. If you want to reduce that from say A1 to A3, then use "scale to fit", get the responded scale, and round it off, then check through preview if you get it all.

This is an area that can get quite complicated, especially if you are new to it all.

Maggsie, get used to your world about to be turned upside down. I was about to say PM me, but there are too many other members here with the same problem, so lets just sort it out here.

[PS_Port]

Just saw maggsie a MAP 3D guy, he all yours Alan :lol:

[Tiger]

Hello to all the usual suspects!



ok all - line it up, stand up straigh, Paul spit out that gum and at least try to hide the beer, Alan, pull in that stomach, Bluey, wipe off that smirk!!!

[MrMaggs]

We work the same way as you Tiger - all drawings are Xref and then scaled up.
How do you plot your drawings?

Also working for a Utility Company - gas, elec, water and fibre for new housing developments.

As for the coords ;
I used Transco maps to get my coords, the same building is shown on my 'developers' plan so I move it to the same place.
If my units are the same as the maps, then I should get the same coord's for the another point of the building? - or at least that's what im lead to believe
This only works when we scale it down though.

Any reason why you scale yours up/down to match requirements? - I do it for fun :D

as suggested before, the units I use are different to Transco maps,
but the coords should be the same right?.........

Cheers for the help guys n gals - another step closer to one of life's mysteries, and an ongoing argument answer....:huh:

[Tiger]

I scale it down because I have to. I don't know why we work in millimeters, the rest all work in meters - I guess it's one of those things "we've always done it this way and it works so why change"..even though it's a hassle..

The only time I scale it is when I send it off in DWG to others, otherwise I have the same setup as you. I have a Layout that's 841x594mm (a real A1), the Viewports are set to 1:400 and the Plot Scale in the Plot Dialogue Box is set to 1:1.

I would never plot anything that is drawn in meters in this setup - always scale it up a 1000 times when x-reffed.

If I were to have to plot something off that is meters though..to get it to look right...hmm...give me a sec...

[Tiger]

Ok, I had to put the viewport at 2:1 to get the same result....

but now it's still 1:400 if we measure in millimeters.

but if I was to have it to 1:400, it would still be 1:400 (after all, AutoCAD doesn't lie...much) but that's if you measure in meters...

oh sod it...I'm crap at scales at the best of times - this has just gotten me more confused than usual :(

[PS_Port]

Maggsie can you state the actual 'Co-ords' for us ?

[Alan Cullen]

Why bother all.....Maggsie is useing xrefs, which are more than likely in mm. and he wants metres, or something.

maahaahaahaa. Deviate that I am. :twisted:

Go figure, and don't ever try to explain to me the value of xrefs in my field. You loose. HAHAHA :P

I will now sit back and watch. :twisted: :twisted:

P.S. Bloody Architects. :lol:

[PS_Port]

all drawings are Xref and then scaled up.


says it all,...... down hill from there.....:shock:
alan I think your dragging me to the dark side on xrefs..:twisted: :lol:

[Tiger]

Oh really guys!!

Xrefs or no Xrefs has nothing to do with this!!

Go back to your beers both of you :glare:

[MrMaggs]

well, the drawing im using has no Xref's!
The OS ref from Transco maps should match my Coords in CAD though?
how do you guys set your required scale in the viewport tho?

if i have a drawing thats 1:1, i scale it at 1:1, i plot it at 1:1, then im sure i cant fit a whole school on an A4 sheet!?

[Tiger]

don't worry about Alan and his hate for X-refs - as soon as he sees the word X-ref he immidiatly jumps high and blames everything that happens afterwards on the x-refs....:glare:

I place my scale on one place, and one place only. As a scale on the Viewport itself. Everything else is drawn 1:1. Period.

[MrMaggs]

do you set it within the viewport? or its properties?
i always use the Zoom XP way, my properties scale for the viewport reads 0.0010

[MrMaggs]

well, the drawing im using has no Xref's!



lol, sorry alan - sounded a little angry. :twisted:

Well, im fin. cant figure out this one ;

theres a prize for who ever figures it out, or one for anyone who knows what im on about.

Think will give up on using coords and just go back to the good old way...... :whistle:

[Tiger]

do you set it within the viewport? or its properties?
i always use the Zoom XP way, my properties scale for the viewport reads 0.0010

I have Viewport Toolbar out and when I have the Viewport highlighted I can set the scale of it on the toolbar. Then I lock it faster than you can say 'external reference' .

[NBC]

0.001 is the scale factor used to convert from millimetres to metres.
this could explain why your viewport scale and model space are going a bit haywire. this can happen now and again.

[SLW210]

How about some screen shots of the Plot Manager and some of your Viewports?

[MrMaggs]

well, thank you all for your help

im sure something will figure out.

is there a calvin to your hobbs around here then Tiger?

Have a good wkend all! see you monday over a coffee......

[MrMaggs]

your still here?

think im off in a few, its 4:20 here - and the pubs been on its own long enough

will be back on monday if we can cont'.....

[Tiger]

is there a calvin to your hobbs around here then Tiger?



Not that I know of..not that there is a Calvin to my Hobbes IRL either...maybe I should get myself a Calvin :P

Nice weekend Mr M!

I'm already home - just checking in :wink: