Steps to Printing to Scale in Draftsight
Printing to scale in Draftsight ensures that your designs and drawings are accurately represented on paper, maintaining the correct dimensions. Follow these detailed steps to achieve precise printing results:
1. Open Your Drawing File
Launch Draftsight and open the drawing file that you intend to print. Ensure that the file is properly saved and formatted before proceeding to print.
2. Set Up Drawing Units
To begin, adjust your drawing units to match the scale you desire for your print. Navigate to the Document Properties by selecting File from the menu, then Document Properties. Under Units, choose the appropriate measurement system, such as inches or millimeters. This ensures your design metrics are consistent with your scaling needs.
3. Configure the Layout for Printing
Switch to the Layouts tab located at the bottom of the Draftsight window. This tab allows you to set up a paper space suitable for your print. Right-click on the layout you want to print and choose Page Setup. Define the page size according to your printer specifications and choose the appropriate orientation (portrait or landscape).
4. Set the Printing Scale
To establish the print scale, access the Print dialog box by selecting File and then Print. In the Print dialog, look for the Scale option. Here you can specify a scale factor (e.g., 1:1 for actual size, 1:2 for half size, and so forth). Adjust this according to the requirements of your project. Ensure that the Fit to Paper option is unchecked if you want to maintain your defined scale.
5. Preview the Print Layout
Before you finalize your print, it is wise to preview it. Use the Print Preview option in the Print dialog. This allows you to see how your drawing will look on paper and helps identify any adjustments that may be necessary, such as margins or content placement.
6. Print Your Drawing
Once you are satisfied with the print preview, proceed to print your drawing. Ensure your printer is set up correctly with the right paper size loaded. Select your printer from the list, double-check the settings, and click on Print to produce your scaled drawing.
7. Verify Printed Output
After printing, it’s important to verify that the dimensions match the expected scale. Use a ruler or a caliper to measure critical features of your drawing to ensure accuracy. This step confirms that your print settings were correctly applied.
Common Questions About Printing to Scale in Draftsight
How can I change the default paper size in Draftsight?
To change the default paper size, go to File, then Page Setup. From there, you can modify the default page dimensions by selecting a different preset or entering custom dimensions for your drawings.
Can I print multiple scales on the same page?
Yes, you can create multiple viewports in your layout and assign different scales to each viewport. This allows for diverse details within one print layout while maintaining accurate representations of each section.
What should I do if my print is not coming out at the correct scale?
If your print is not at the correct scale, check the following: ensure that the Scale settings in the Print dialog match your expectations, verify that the Fit to Paper setting is turned off, and confirm that your drawing units and layout dimensions are configured correctly. Conducting a print preview can also help catch any discrepancies before printing.
