Understanding Scale in Vectorworks
Printing a design to scale in Vectorworks is crucial for ensuring accurate representations of drawings. Before printing, familiarizing oneself with the scale settings is essential. Scale refers to the relationship between the dimensions presented in the drawing and the actual dimensions in real life.
Setting Up the Drawing for Print
Access Document Setup: Navigate to the menu bar and select File, then click on Document Setup. This will open various options to adjust settings for your drawing.
- Choose Units: Under the Document Setup, locate the Units section. Select the appropriate measurement system for your project, whether it be imperial (inches, feet) or metric (millimeters, centimeters).
Configuring Page Size
Select Page Size: Either choose a pre-defined template from the LayOut startup screen or go to File > Document Setup > Paper. Adjust the paper size manually if needed.
- Confirm Units Again: Ensure that the units you set previously are still applicable, particularly if you changed the paper size.
Setting the Print Scale
Open Print Setup: Click on File > Print, and proceed to Drawing Sheet Setup within the Print menu. This step is critical for configuring how the drawing will be represented on paper.
Determine Scale: In the Drawing Scale section, input the desired scale ratio for your print. This defines how the dimensions of your drawing relate to the physical output on paper.
- Preview Your Print: Before finalizing, select File > Print > Print Preview. Utilize the Window > Fill Window option to see how your drawing fits the selected paper size and scale.
Printing Your Work
Final Print Command: After reviewing your setup, return to the print dialog box, ensuring all settings reflect your requirements.
- Execute Print: Click on Print for Mac users or OK for Windows users. Ensure your printer is connected and configured correctly to avoid any printing issues.
Common Issues When Printing to Scale
Sometimes, drawings may not print as expected due to several factors including incorrect scale, page size issues, or printer settings. Here’s how to troubleshoot:
Check Content Fit: Ensure that the drawing content fits well within the selected page margins. Confirm the layout does not exceed the printable area.
Update Printer Drivers: If problems persist, verify that your printer drivers are up to date. Outdated drivers can lead to scaling and printing inaccuracies.
- Examine Output Options: If using rasterized output, consider the "Rasterize print output option" settings to ensure proper printing starts from the intended edge of your image.
FAQs
What should I do if my drawing is cut off when I print?
Ensure the content fits within the set margins in the layout. Adjust your drawing or margins accordingly to avoid cutoff.Can I change the print scale after I have set it?
Yes, you can revisit the Drawing Sheet Setup at any time before printing to modify the scale settings to fit your needs.- What actions should I take if the scale does not appear correct after printing?
Double-check the scale settings in your Document Setup and ensure that both the page size and print scale are correctly defined before printing again.
