Plotting to scale

[tsaunders]

I am plotting to 3/16 scale, but went I plot, the print is not to scale.

I have tried printing from paper space iwth viewport scale set to 3/16 and printing 1:1.  I have also tried printing from model space using and window and setting the scale to 3/16.

Can someone please help?  I have printed to scale before, so I know it was fine in the original set up.

Is there a setting that I have changed?

Thanks for any help you can provide.

[hwalker]

Would it violate your company policy if you post the affected drawing here?

If not, post it so we can have a look.

[steve216586]

Are you printing directly from AutoCAD or are plotting a .pdf then printing that? Sometimes .pdf files are scaled 97%.

[tsaunders]

I am printing directly from autocad.  

I have discovered that when I print to an 11x17 sheet, it is not to scale, but if I capture a window and print to and 8x11 sheet, then it is to scale.

[tsaunders]

also, it has affected all existing drawings as well.

[hwalker]

By how much is it out of scale?

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I'm assuming your Layout is 11x17 and you are printing on 11x17 paper.

If your Layout is a full 11x17 inches then it will not fit a true 1:1 on 11x17 paper because of the printer margins.

You can get around this by making a .PC3 file for your printer where you have modified the printer margins for 11x17 to be 0.0.

I'm hoping this helps.

If this does not help please post a sample drawing.

Regards,

Steve

[tsaunders]

The dimension that is 30' is printing to 29'-2" So about 97% instead of 100%

[Light_Guy]

Make sure SCALE TO FIT is NOT checked when you plot. That will throw your scale off in a hury.

[tsaunders]

To fit is not checked.

I can print to 8x11 with a window and it is to scale.

I can then click previous plot and layout and change sheet size to 11x17, then it is out of scale.

[steve216586 · Accepted solution]

8.5x11 and 11x17 have different aspect ratios. Are you plotting the exact same borders in both plots? It won't work...ever. There must be a box checked in your plotting device Preferences to "fit" if it is not checked in AutoCAD page set up.

[tsaunders]

It was the printer scaling it to fit, not a setting in AutoCAD.

Thank you all for your help.