topic Re: Can't plot the grid! in AutoCAD Forum

Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 16:51:25 GMT

Why can't Iplot the grid?

Its frustrating that all of a sudden I have to set up the grid in every single viewport but I ahve done that. It just doesn't print. Why oh why? I really need the grid and now I am going to have to manually draw a grid. *tears*

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 16:54:05 GMT

If your talking about the display grid, it is not comprised of entities and will not plot.

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Alfred.NESWADBA — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 16:57:24 GMT

Hi,

>> Why can't Iplot the grid

Because it is a virtual element like the cursor is it too, the cursor can't be plotted as well.

If you need a raster for plotting you have to create it with "real" geometry, In case of GIS (Map 3D or Civil 3D) you also have special functions for viewports like command _MAPLAYOUTREFERENCESYSTEM.

- alfred -

Re: Can't plot the grid!

ToanDN — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 16:59:59 GMT

*handing over napkins* since when were you able to plot the display grid, the one you toggle On and OFF with F7? You can snap a screenshot and it shows but that's about it. Or are you thinking about Excel instead?

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 17:02:39 GMT

The GRID display has never been able to be plotted in AutoCAD.

You are talking about the grid that can be turned on/off with F7?

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 17:19:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Why can't Iplot the grid?

Its frustrating that all of a sudden I have to set up the grid in every single viewport but I ahve done that. It just doesn't print. Why oh why? I really need the grid and now I am going to have to manually draw a grid. *tears*

If drawing a grid in ACAD brings you to tears, maybe it's the wrong software for you.

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Kent1Cooper — Thu, 27 Aug 2015 17:59:08 GMT

I agree with what others have said. Additionally....

If you want a grid that will plot, drawing one has distinct advantages over having the display/reference grid plot. You can draw it at the spacing(s) you will always want it to plot at, then you can change the density of the reference grid, and/or turn it on or off, and/or change its origin point and/or rotation, as much and as often as you want, without risk of differences in the plotted grid in different plots of the same drawing. You can have it be made of any linetype you wish [CENTER would be very appropriate in a lot of applications], even in different linetypes for different lines in it, or different lineweights and/or linetype scales and/or colors for some, to emphasize or de-emphasize them. It can be masked with Text Masks or Wipeouts, or Trimmed away, around things you don't want the grid lines showing through. You can make a radial/circular grid if that's appropriate. You can absolutely control the extent of it, to any size or shape outline [not just the rectangular drawing limits]. You can have different grids in different areas of the same drawing or view. Etc., etc. ....

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:24:10 GMT

Thanks for all the replies.

The new version apparently allows you to set the viewport grid separatley from he model space grid, cool, but it would be cooler if new viewports would automatically match the model space instead of some random default.

Also, why have grids specifically laid out in the viewport on a LAYOUT if you can't also print them?

I did manually draw my own and I have yet to get it to print. In addition, when my boss says quickly print this with an entirely new grid layout it would be cool to be able actually do it quickly!

I doubt I would ever need a radial grid, unless I go work in Antarctica, which is more doubtful. So I would just like to be able to use the built in grid.

The tears were because I had just spent hours trying to figure out why printing has changed and trying to get things to print right for the meeting this morning. This was at 7pm (I was meant to be home by 5pm). And I don't think you know how many grid lines and manual dashed lines I had to draw!

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:23:25 GMT

Alfred, that's helpful thanks. But small problem; I can't chose the correct scale and I need a different precision than the ones listed (50m instead of 10 or 100). How do I change that?

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Alfred.NESWADBA — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:42:43 GMT

Hi,

>> I need a different precision than the ones listed (50m instead of 10 or 100). How do I change that?

When I start the command after selecting the viewport I get a dialog which ask's me about which type of coordinates, the scale of the viewport and the density, don't you get that?

(sorry for German dialog, should at least look equal to the English one except the text)

- alfred -

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:49:05 GMT

Yes that's it. So under MaBstaub I get 1:40000 among other large scales. My map is 1:400.

Under Genaugkiet I get a list of multiples of 10. But I need a 50m grid.

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Alfred.NESWADBA — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 10:49:59 GMT

Hi,

>> I can't chose the correct scale and I need a different precision than the ones listed

Maybe I understood the question not correct:

The values listed are just some default suggestions ... you can type in any (numerical) values you like.

- alfred -

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:08:00 GMT

Oh, yes, I can type in any scale. But not precision. Can you type in your own precision?

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Alfred.NESWADBA — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:09:27 GMT

Hi,

>> Can you type in your own precision?

I can type in both values, look to the video:

Tested with Map 3D 2015 and 2016.

- alfred -

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:32:02 GMT

I can't. Weird. And frustrating

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:32:27 GMT

PS what do you use to create that gif?

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Alfred.NESWADBA — Fri, 28 Aug 2015 11:52:19 GMT

Hi,

>> I can't. Weird. And frustrating

Some questions:

What version of Map 3D do you use?
What service pack have you installed?
Does that also be blocked when you try that with a new drawing?
Can you upload the drawing (at least with that layout and viewport) which does not allow to set that by keyboard-override?

>> what do you use to create that gif?

This app: >>>Camtasia Studio<<<

But to record the screen you can also use the free >>>Autodesk Screencast<<<

- alfred -

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Sep 2015 12:34:16 GMT

I thought I had replied here but basically I found that the type of grid you choose is important. I had to choose "Current map reference system"

But it doesn't work because I get a grid that is way out. I thought that surely "Current map reference system" would match my current grid?

Re: Can't plot the grid!

Kent1Cooper — Tue, 15 Feb 2022 14:02:00 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

.... when my boss says quickly print this with an entirely new grid layout it would be cool to be able actually do it quickly! ....

[Yes, years ago, but I was brought here by a Search to get something to link to, in reply to a new topic on the same question.]

If you draw a grid as a User-defined Hatch pattern with the Double-direction option, changing its scale factor for the spacing, and if necessary its origin, is near-instantaneous.