Printing PDF files "to scale" -- 25%, 50%, etc.

[Ragazzi]

We often receive PDF drawings from architects that are *to scale* on large sheets (24x36 or 30x42). We would like to print these drawings on a smaller sheet, using a particular scale, such as 50%.

Is it possible to print PDF files to 50% or 25% scale? Acrobat Reader 7 does not allow you to change scale (percent) -- it only allows printing at 1:1 scale, which is not helpful when I want to print sets at half-size.

Is there another program out there that will do this?

Thanks in advance,

Ragazzi

[rkmcswain]

Uncheck "Choose Paper Source by PDF paper size", then choose the size paper you want, then change "Page Scaling" to do what you prefer (like Fit to Printer Margins)

[Ragazzi]

This only allows me to estimate the %... it will tend to be either 51%, 49%, etc... never a perfect match...

I would think that the CAD&PDF-using community would have demanded the option to scale to an exact %...

If I have a 1/4" scale document, and I want to make it half-size, I want to be sure that it is, in fact, 1/8" scale (exactly).

[StykFacE]

This only allows me to estimate the %... it will tend to be either 51%, 49%, etc... never a perfect match...

I would think that the CAD&PDF-using community would have demanded the option to scale to an exact %...

If I have a 1/4" scale document, and I want to make it half-size, I want to be sure that it is, in fact, 1/8" scale (exactly).

hell, even at 51% or 49% scaling, if it's an arch. drawing, it's gonna be close enough. i mean, it'll be like 1/128" off per few feet or something.... lol. i wouldn't worry about it. but, if you absolutely need it perfect, do what mcswain said, then go to printer margins and set them at zero. they default to 0.20 - that's what holding it back from true 50% probably.

[or_isnt_he]

U can use the program Adobe illustrator (if you have it) as a bridge. Open your PDF file in Adobe Illustrator. Then go to file/export and select AutoCAD (*.dwg) as ur file type. Then just scale it in cad.

[or_isnt_he]

Or, if you dont have illustrator, save ur PDF as a .jpeg file. Then in CAD, go to Insert/raster image and scale reference the file based on a known dimension in the drawing.