This chapter will discuss the process of printing your digital drawing. In AutoCAD, you create and save a separate layout for each sheet that you need to print. This allows you to quickly print your drawings in the future and at a moments notice.
The concepts discussed in this chapter are the most challenging AutoCAD concepts. The best way to master these concepts (like most things in life) is through practice, trial and error. When you draw by hand, you know the scale of your drawing before you begin drawing. You use an architectural scale to reduce the drawing proportionally to fit on the sheet of paper.
In AutoCAD you draw everything at full scale or real world scale. The advantage to this new method of working is that you can complete a drawing and then determine what size paper and what scale you want to print your drawing. The disadvantage for new learners it can be frustrating to struggle with printing when you know how easy it would be to complete the same drawing by hand.
This chapter includes and discusses the following AutoCAD commands and concepts:
- Paper Space vs. Model Space
- Layout Views
- Using Scale Factors
- Using Plot Styles
- Color Dependent (CTB) vs. Named Plot Styles (STB)
- Adding a Plot Style
- Typical Paper Sizes
- Creating a Layout
- Sample 11”x17” Layout
- Page Setup Manager for 11”x17” Layout
- Sample 18”x24” Layout
- Page Setup Manager for 18”x24” Layout
- Sample 24”x36” Layout
- Page Setup Manager for 24”x36” Layout
- Creating a Viewport
- Scaling a Viewport
- Locking a Viewport
- Drawing to Scale in a Viewport
- Plotting a Layout
- Learning Exercise
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