Autocad Scale Conversion error in Layouts 1:100 scale - Should be set as 1000: 100 to get a proper drawing in layouts and Model space

[rajdarwin85]

Hi ,This in Architect Rajkumar D R  (Rajdarwin)
Iam here to address an error in AutoCad while working on layouts for a Large scale project 
Where we  drafted all drawings in 1:1 Scale in model space 
The units was set to meters 
In layouts as when i want to set the scale 1:100 - The drawing becomes large out of space 
After a week of trying various possibilities by office mates 
I have done math by trial and error method and found scale comparison is done with the units of Drawing  to the units we choose in scale dialog box
Hence, i want to fit a drawing in For 1:100 Scale in an A1 sheet Set the value to 1000Millimeter is approx.
1Meter : 100 Meter2 possible units to select

it has only Millimeters and inches to choose from 

1000MM : 100M ------ for 1:100 Scale

Hence, i want to fit a drawing in For 1:100 Scale in an A1 sheet Set the value to 1000MM Is approx 1M : 100 M

If 1:100 is given the Drawing is set to 1: 100000

If i give the scale as 1:100.     It assumes as 1mm = 100 units which is 100meters  ,that is 1:100000

How small the Drawing as scaled as 1:100 is given

As you see the drawing is scale to a corner leaving  like black Page Where drawing is scale to 1 : 100000
Iam able to figure this Scale comparison out ,
But, If i send the drawing to some one they are unable to understand the concept behind the scale conversion  
even for printing the drawing is scale there is big confusion ,

Incase i want to have print outs in various scales 
I will write done What value should i give the output as follows,
1:100      -   1000mm : 100 units 
1: 50       -   1000mm : 50 units 
1: 25       -   1000mm : 25 units

1:1           -  1000mm : 1 units
2:1           -  2000mm : 1 units.........etc.........
Find a solution For people to Easily Understand

[paullimapa]

First of all, layouts and paper sizes are set in mm.

Since you draw in Meters then you'll need to use conversion factor.

The best way to test is to draw in mm in Model as well.

So you can use the DWGUNITS command, select mm and select the option to scale up your drawing in model space. Or you can manually use the SCALE command and enter ALL option and then 1000. Now your drawing in model is at 1 unit = 1 mm.

Now go to layout and select a printer like Dwg To Pdf.pc3 and A1 paper size. Then create a Vport with MVIEW command and select your zoom scale for Vport as 1:100 and see how that looks like.

Lastly, if you share a sample dwg here, we can take a look at what you have.

[Moshe-A]

@rajdarwin85  hi,

i tell you what is the problem in AutoCAD regarding printing...it only allows us to send to plot in inches or mm.

So when you work in Meters, you have to get along with MM but you can overcome it (it's all in our heads 😀)

First always send to plot from Layout

If your drawing units in model space is in Meters (e.g 1 drawing unit = 1 Meter in reality)

you need to define your layout also in Meters

Model space units and layout units must always be synchronized

and what that means for (example) for sheet A1?  (841mm X 594mm)

your layout limits should be 0.841 x 0.594 drawing units (keep grid\snap off)

Now open\create a viewport inside say 0.820 X 0.570 (about 20mm inside\smaller)

and set it to 1:100 scale (1=100)

Now to plot from layout, set plot scale to 1000=1  (e.g  1000mm = 1 drawing unit,

which is 1m in reality) this 1:1 in Meters.

(the mistake most users do is by trial and error searching for viewport scale so they can plot at 1=1 and this is wrong)

At that same Layout you can now open\create another viewport for 1:50 simply by set its viewport scale to 1:50 (or any other needed scale)

On the other hand bare this in mind:

all drawing entities in that layout must be in meters and that include a drawing strip specially i aim to texts, human mind when thinking on texts, think in mm like 2 to 3mm text height, these heights must be now divide by 1000. the best way to overcome this is to create a title block in mm and insert it inside layout at 0.001 scale.

this setting also effects Non Continues line types and LTSCALE & PSLTSCALE must be set accordingly. 

This solves all our plot scale problem.

enjoy,

Moshe

[lynnacomstockmqxc6]

Hi,

This issue usually happens because the model and paper units are not matching.

If your drawing in Model Space is created in meters, but your Layout (paper space) is in millimeters, then AutoCAD needs to multiply by 1000 to convert between them. That’s why using 1000:100 gives the correct result — it compensates for the meter-to-millimeter difference.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• 1 unit in your model = 1 meter = 1000 mm

• Layout uses millimeters by default

• So to get a correct 1:100 print scale, AutoCAD must read it as 1000 (model) : 100 (paper)

How to fix it:

1. In Model Space, draw everything at real size (1 unit = 1 m if you’re using meters).

2. In Paper Space, set your viewport scale to 1000:100 instead of 1:100.

3. Lock the viewport to prevent zoom changes.

4. Check your UNITS setting to ensure consistency.

That should align your drawing correctly in both Model and Layout spaces.

Hope this helps!

[rajdarwin85]

Thankyou for your response, i can truly understand the consequences
Drafting in mm is Nightmare for a 150 acres site
I have draft in meters only to avoid maximum digits, decimals and errors 
The issue arises when i  transfer the drawing from my side to the civil team they are a bit confused
they are not able understand easily. I think we have to educate them also with special class

[rajdarwin85]

Thankyou for your response, i can truly understand the consequences but when i transfer the drawing from my side to the civil team they are a bit confused
they are not able understand easily. I think we have to educate them also with special class

[paullimapa]

I remember back in the days when I worked at an architectural firm and many consultants we hired, as well as those like civil we worked with, were just really far behind in their cad capabilities...so lots of hand holding had to be done to bring them up to speed....have a great journey teaching others the methods needed to get the job done...cheers!!!

[Moshe-A]

@rajdarwin85  hi,

I am aware you think you did not get an answer here, i am not back to criticize you only to exchange views. i understand you have problems with Civil Team and you are not alone, it's worldwide problem.

most users are cold minded when it comes to plot thinking the only way to print is 1=1 in mm even if this force them to set a twisted viewport scale.

As architect you produce the drawing to all consultants, your work is the basis to all programs. a viewport scale of 1000:100 surely solves your problem but think some years ahead these files will be open by other young peoples, will they know what is 1000:100? is this a scale they learn to work with in their academy?!

The answer i gave in message #3 is the best way to aspire (of course if it's possible) and to convince all the skeptics, i made a nice lisp program that you can run on your meters (in model space) drawing. the lisp call setup9.vlx attached (why setup9? no reason just a name) plus a template file shipped with AutoCAD installation Tutorial-mMfg.dwt (the 2 is wrapped in a zip file). extract the files in a folder that is on Support File Search Path (under options command) and appload lisp.

the program insert a standard layout (A1 size) from the template file which is in mm at 0.001 scale which prepare the layout for meters. it creates 3 viewports. first on the left side, a viewport set to 1:100 vpscale.

on the right side a second viewport set to 1:50 vpscale. below a third viewport set 1:20 vpscale. in middle each viewport have a note\text added to identify the scale.

if you click on viewport entity, you will see at the right bottom display the right vpscale (as it should)

a moment before lisp is done, it pauses to ask if you want to print this to PDF? key-in Yes ‌‌

plot scale is 1000=1 (not much fond of ‌‌) but this 1:1 in meters.

enjoy

Moshe