which drawing scale to use?

[centralnj]

I want to be able to use Autocad 2012 to draw the faceplate of a custom box that fits into a 19" rack. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/19-inch_rack

 

The actual width of the box would be 17.75" and the height would be 3U in height 5.25".

 

I want to be able to print on Letter size paper in Portrait mode.

 

It looks like I should Engineering units though I am not sure whether the connectors and switches that will be on this faceplate will allow for decimal partial inches.

 

Based on those dimension should I use 1:3 drawing scale?

 

Thanks.

[ReMark]

Draw it full size in model space.

 

Switch to a layout.

 

Create a viewport.

 

Assign a scale to the viewport.

 

Plot from your layout at a scale of 1:1; let AutoCAD take care of everything else.

[centralnj]

Thank you.

 

I bought the book Autocad 2012 for Dummies, and being a newbie, I am really struggling with it.

 

Should I even bother with setting LIMITS?

That was one of the settings in the first example in the book.

 

In this first example it looks like he drew in full scale as you are suppose to. Then when he goes to print, he set the Plot Area to Limits and the Plot Scale to 1:10.

 

Seems like quick and dirty without using layouts and viewports.

 

Not sure if I should chuck the book.

Hate to waste $20 on a book like that.

[ReMark]

You don't really need to set limits unless you want to. AutoCAD will expand infinitely to accommodate whatever it is you are drawing.

 

You can print directly from model space if you want. Most users will pick a common, recognizable scale and not some oddball one. It's easier to scale dimensions off your print that way.

 

Hang on to the book as it probably does have some useful information you'll find beneficial.

[SLW210]

In addition to your current book....

 

Also, check the free tutorials here at CADTutor.

 

Search around, there have been plenty of recommendations on here for books to learn AutoCAD, as well as other tutorial sites.