Steps to Print a Selected Area in AutoCAD 2018
Printing a specific area in AutoCAD can streamline your workflow, particularly when you want to focus on particular details in your drawings. Follow the comprehensive steps below to effectively print a selected area in AutoCAD 2018.
Step 1: Open Your Drawing
Start AutoCAD and open the drawing file you want to work with. You can do this by clicking on the AutoCAD icon or by pressing Ctrl + O on your keyboard. Browse to the location of the DWG file, select it, and click "Open" to load the drawing.
Step 2: Prepare the Area to Print
Navigate to the layout that contains the area you wish to print. This can usually be found as a tab at the bottom of the AutoCAD workspace. If you are working in model space, confirm that the area you want to print is correctly positioned and visible.
Step 3: Access the Plot Command
To initiate the printing process, type PLOT in the command bar and press Enter, or simply press Ctrl + P on your keyboard. This will bring up the Plot dialog box, where you can configure your print settings.
Step 4: Select the Printer/Plotter
In the Plot dialog box, locate the “Printer/Plotter” section. From the drop-down menu, choose your desired printer or select “DWG to PDF.pc3” to print to a PDF format. Ensure that the selected device is set up correctly and is ready for use.
Step 5: Set the Print Parameters
Within the Plot dialog box, you will see options to customize your print settings:
- Paper Size: Select the appropriate size for your output.
- Plot Area: This is crucial; choose "Window" if you wish to specify the exact area to print. After selecting "Window," you will be prompted to click two points on the drawing that will define the corners of the print area.
- Plot Scale: Set a suitable scale that fits your project’s requirements. Make sure the dimensions are appropriately scaled to fit on the selected paper size.
- Orientation: Choose either portrait or landscape orientation based on your layout’s design.
Step 6: Configure Additional Settings
For more detailed options, click on the “More Options” button. Here, you can adjust settings for lineweights, plot styles, and quality options if necessary. It may be beneficial to review these settings to ensure your details are printed accurately.
Step 7: Preview Your Print
Utilize the “Preview” button in the Plot dialog box to view how the selected area will appear on the printed page. This is an essential step to catch any errors or adjustments needed before actually printing.
Step 8: Print Your Selection
Once you are satisfied with all settings and the preview looks correct, click "OK" to finalize. This will either send your document to print or prompt you to save it as a PDF file, depending on the output selected.
Step 9: Verify the Printed Output
If you printed to a physical printer, check the printout for accuracy. Make sure all elements appear correctly and are within the bounds of your specified area. If you encountered any issues, return to the Plot settings and make the necessary adjustments before trying again.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I print multiple layers in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can print multiple layers by ensuring they are visible in the layout you’re printing from. Use the layer properties manager to turn on the layers you want to print.
2. How do I print in black and white?
To print in black and white, change your plot style table to monochrome.ctb in the Plot style settings in the Plot dialog box.
3. Is it possible to print to PDF in AutoCAD 2018?
Yes, you can print to PDF by selecting "DWG to PDF.pc3" in the printer/plotter settings during the printing process.
