Raithneach Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 Hi, It might seem like an odd question but I was asked at work while modeling an intricate locking device to display a particular part of the assembly onscreen at its real life size to see if it was practical to machine, Its a small disc 40mm diameter with a few holes and slots. Is there anyway to do this? I eventually just did a realtime zoom with a ruler held up to the monitor just so he could make a decision on whether it would work or not. I realize I could plot it on an A4 sheet at 1:1 and he'd have it in his hand, but I just wonder is there any method for doing this quickly in Modelspace or not? Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankman Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 Zoom to true life size? Don't know but viewing extends should be more than enough to see what needs to be seen. Interesting question/idea, let's see how other forum members view your inquiry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldon Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I realize I could plot it on an A4 sheet at 1:1 and he'd have it in his hand, but I just wonder is there any method for doing this quickly in Modelspace or not?Thank you. There are some on this Forum, who think that plotting from Model Space is the devil's work, and shout out loudly against it. So keep this advice very close to your chest and do not let anyone else know about it In model space, go into the Plot command. Then chose your paper size A4, choose your plotting scale 1 : 1, then go for the 'Window' Plot area. Then choose by windowing what you want to plot. Then you can choose to centre the plot, and go for a full preview. If that looks OK, then hit OK. Out of the printer will come a nice plot at full size. and you will have done it from Model Space in 15 seconds or less Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 Your situation reinforces the advice currently given to all new users of AutoCAD...draw all objects in model space at their true (i.e. - full) size. Then switch to a layout, establish a viewport, scale it accordingly and plot. I can't believe you tried that "ruler-to-the-screen" trick. That is just so unprofessional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankman Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 "Ruler-to-the-screen" trick. Oh, my. Easy enough to print full size but scale your monitor? What's that? Such a small part, would viewing full monitor work best? Up close, enlarged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kencaz Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I knew these would come in handy someday... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankman Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I knew these would come in handy someday... Perfect! Starrett? Brown & Sharpe? Gave me a good chuckle and, I'll bet quite a few more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cad64 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 I eventually just did a realtime zoom with a ruler held up to the monitor just so he could make a decision on whether it would work or not. I think that's what is referred to as redneck engineering. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Hughes Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 At the risk of being deemed a redneck or perhaps a neanderthal I will confess to having used a rule against the screen and zooming in/out on occasion and I see nothing wrong in employing the technique. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cad64 Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 So you're making design decisions based on measurements taken from holding a ruler up to your monitor and zooming in and out? My boss would probably fire me if he saw me doing that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 Warning: Objects in the mirror may be closer than you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Hughes Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 So you're making design decisions based on measurements taken from holding a ruler up to your monitor and zooming in and out? Not design decisions but simply a visualiztion aid - sometimes to examine/compare angular aspects of a sample to my approximation. My boss would probably fire me if he saw me doing that. Heh, good thing my boss is me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Hughes Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 Not design decisions but simply a visualiztion aid - sometimes to examine/compare angular aspects of a sample to my approximation. On second thought, that comment is rather contradictory. So I'll change my answer to yes, sure. Why not? there are plenty of things that don't require extreme precision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tankman Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 On second thought, that comment is rather contradictory. So I'll change my answer to yes, sure. Why not? there are plenty of things that don't require extreme precision. Would that be horseshoes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 Grenade throwing does not require extreme precision either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CALCAD Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 Raithneach, To answer your question, yes, there is at least one way to do this. You need to measure the height of your drawing window with a scale or tape measure. Then, in the command line type Zoom, C (center), pick the approximate center of the object you want to display, then enter the measured height. This should display something close to 1:1 scale. You may want to adjust the height value to better approximate the object size. That number is the calibration factor for your monitor. This only applies to 2D entities. It might be interesting to work out a method to correctly display 3D entities at the display plane in various orientations. Maybe someone has already done this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kencaz Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 Raithneach, To answer your question, yes, there is at least one way to do this. You need to measure the height of your drawing window with a scale or tape measure. Then, in the command line type Zoom, C (center), pick the approximate center of the object you want to display, then enter the measured height. This should display something close to 1:1 scale. You may want to adjust the height value to better approximate the object size. That number is the calibration factor for your monitor. This only applies to 2D entities. It might be interesting to work out a method to correctly display 3D entities at the display plane in various orientations. Maybe someone has already done this. I don't think it needs to be that complicated: KC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raithneach Posted June 6, 2010 Author Share Posted June 6, 2010 Thank you all for the feedback, I knew it was a silly enough thing to do with the ruler to the monitor but what are you gonna do, you're boss stands over your shoulder and asks "can you display that part at life size for a sec so i can have a look?', I use Prosteel strucural modeling package and it has an extremely handy 3D element clash function which calculates bolt clashes and sometimes when get a 'busy' connection where say 3 or 4 beams some together it is handy to zoom to realsize or as near to it as you can to get an idea of whether to increase holes centers, can you get a wrench or a socket into a space easily, as a visual aid, it comes in handy from time to time. I know from using Photoshop that you can employ a ruler for various jobs, I was thinking about a virtual ruler or something? I don't know.Regardless, thanks again for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ReMark Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Yeah, it's amazing what the most innocent question will stir up in the way of opinions. I got a chuckle out of the whole thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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