Setting Up Draftsight for Black and White Printing
To print in black and white using Draftsight, a CAD software, you need to adjust specific settings to ensure your final output meets your preferences. Follow these detailed steps to configure your document for black and white printing.
Step 1: Open Your Document in Draftsight
Begin by launching Draftsight and opening the drawing you wish to print. Ensure that the file is fully loaded and all your required layers and entities are visible for the next steps.
Step 2: Access the Print Area
Navigate to the “File” menu at the top of your screen. From the dropdown options, select “Print” to access the printing settings. This opens the Print dialog, where you can configure various print options, including setting the mode to black and white.
Step 3: Choose Your Printer
In the Print dialog box, you will see a dropdown menu displaying the available printers. Select the printer you intend to use for the job. Make sure that the printer supports black and white printing to avoid any issues later.
Step 4: Modify Print Settings
Locate the option labeled “Print Style” or something similar, depending on your version of Draftsight. Click on it and choose the monochrome or black and white option. This setting enables the software to interpret all colors from your drawing as either black or white, effectively eliminating any color output.
Step 5: Configure the Plot Style Table
To further ensure that your printing is strictly in black and white, you’ll want to establish the correct plot style:
1. Still within the Print dialog, look for the “Plot Style” dropdown.
2. Select “monochrome.ctb” from the list of available plot styles. This style ensures that all colors in your drawing are printed in black and white.
3. Confirm that the “Plot with plot styles” checkbox is checked; this allows the selected plot style to take effect during printing.
Step 6: Preview Before Printing
Before committing to print, it’s advisable to use the “Preview” function found within the print settings. This allows you to view how your document will appear after printing. Ensure that everything looks satisfactory, and check for any elements that may not appear as intended.
Step 7: Finalize and Print
Once you are satisfied with the print preview, click on the “Print” button to start the printing process. Ensure that you have sufficient black ink loaded in your printer to avoid any interruptions during printing.
Understanding Common Printing Issues
If you encounter issues while trying to print in black and white, such as the printer defaulting to color, make sure to double-check your printer settings directly from the printer’s control panel or your computer’s devices menu. Sometimes, updating printer drivers can also rectify persistent issues.
FAQs
1. Can I print in grayscale instead of pure black and white?
Yes, you can configure your print settings to grayscale if your printer supports this option. Use the grayscale or grey scale plot style instead of monochrome to achieve variations of gray.
2. What should I do if the printer is not recognizing the monochrome settings?
If your printer is not recognizing the monochrome settings, double-check the printer’s printing preferences directly in the control panel. Make sure that it is set to use the correct color settings, and confirm that the appropriate drivers are installed.
3. How can I ensure that my printouts are high quality in black and white?
To achieve high-quality black and white printouts, ensure that you select the best print quality settings available in the printer preferences. Additionally, use a good quality paper that is suited for black and white printing.
