Paper space background resizing

[Maramas]

My question is about setting up the background displayed under a drawing in paper space, as well as the printable area dotted box that shows up within it in AutoCAD 2011. By default it starts out a certain size, but is there a way to change that size? I would like to set it up as an 8.5x11 sheet in this instance. The only customization option I've found is to uncheck "display paper background" in options, which just makes it all white (which is kind of glaring and hard to look at after a while) but doesn't adjust that dotted box.

[ReMark]

I'm assuming you'll always be using the same printer for output right? The printer or plotter we use usually determines the available paper sizes.

 

Have you considered creating a template and setting up the layout with all the printing parameters you require?

[Maramas]

Yes, as far as I know at this point it will always be the same printer.

 

And I suppose a template file might be a good idea, it's not something I had thought about.

[ReMark]

Sounds like you are on to something then. Good luck.

[rkent]

This is determined by the paper size currently set in the page setup. If you pick a standard pre-made size then that will be your plotting area (margins will be applied as most printers don't print to the edge of the sheet). So if you have a custom size requirement you must go into the properties of the plotter/printer you will use and create a custom paper size.

 

You may need to adjust your title block to account for margins since you can't plot to the edge on most printers.

[Grant]

You can make the paper space view black

Type in the command line type _options, Goto Tab Display, Push Button Color, In 'Context:' goto 'Sheet/Layout' have 'Interface element' Highlighted as 'Uniform background' In 'Color' drop down box go for 'Black'.

 

Go 'Apply & Close'

 

Hopefully no more white back ground for you