Set default printer

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone, and thank you in advance for your help.

I am quite new to Autocad, and i have to print large amounts of files created by our clients in this program. The problem is, that every time i open a file and try to print it, the NONE printer is set, and for each page and tab i want to print, i have to set the printer manually.

I already set my printer as default in the Options -> Plot and publish tab, but this didn't help me.

Is there any way in which i could set a default printer? Or al least could i choose the default printer just once when i open the drawing, and not each time, for each tab? 

Unfortunately i couldn't find an answer for my solution by seaching the internet...

[m_kingdon]

Are all the drawings the same size?  If so, print the first drawing how you like, then whenever you plot again, click "Previous Plot" in the Page Setup.

[imadHabash]

you can use PUBLISH command line either for such a need.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately they are not the same size. Most of the time i need to scale the drawings in order to fit on a normal A4.

I want to still have the option to manually change the scale, but to not be required to select the printer each and every time.

[m_kingdon]

You could go through each drawing, make it ready to print, save it and then setup a page setup for each papersize (A4, A3 etc) then use Batch Plot.

Or, the simplist and easiest method I can think of is just clicking <Previous Plot> when you go to print.  Print the first drawing with the printer you want to use, then with the next drawings just click previous plot and the printer, papersize etc will come up again.  

[pendean]

AutoCAD plotter/printer settings are defined inside each tab in each drawing: there is no system wide setting, never has been that way.

The reason you get NONE is the person that created your file(s) is not using the same printers/plotters you are: are these file from outside your office (clients), correct?
They tasked you with printing without giving you any guidelines? WHat are you company procedures for plotting files from clients? Surely someone before you figured it out, what was their system?

This is not an easy task for a beginner, you are being set up to fail...

The tips above are 'quick fixes', the proper method will require a couple fo hours (up to half a day) to set up: are you ready to do this all on your own and ignore any possible help from colleauges in your office who've done this before? Let us know and we will write out the long process required for you.

[Anonymous]

Hello Sir,

The files are created by clients that do not use the same  printers/plotters as i am. 

Using the "previous plot" as sugested by another user is an improvement, but i still somethimes have to manually change the scale setting. 

I would be very grateful if you could find the time to write the appropiate process.

Thank you and have a nice day!

[Anonymous]

If you select INSERT ->  LAYOUT  -> CREATE LAYOUT WIZARD

Create the new layout as Layout2

Then set the printer you want as your default and walk through all the other parameter choices til you get to FINISH

This will make that printer "STICK" anytime you open your other drawings and go to print them.

[Anonymous]

Could you send that long process to me at Joseph.Strait@lairdtech.com.  I am using TrueView 2016 and need a quick easy way to print 11X17 drawings to a printer.  When I click on Plot I get an error letting me know I do not have the plotter's drivers installed or a plotter configured for my laptop.  I already know this and am unable to set one up.  I need the printer to be able to work for me.  I have about 30 sheets to print each time and it takes me several hours each day to go through and manually set up all of the sheets to be able to print them.  If there was a way I could spend the time to set it up once then just click on plot and have it come up with all of the correct settings it would be wonderful.  The  drawings are always plotted the same way by our Engineers before they are saved.  I remember in Volo View it was real easy to print drawings to a printer.

[Anonymous]

I know this is overkill but you can rewrite the plot command and have it pull up a default plotter / printer. Here is the rewrite for the plot button.

Here is the macro for the plot button

C^C^-plot;y;;(This is the name of the plotter/printer);;;;;;;;;;;;;;N;

This is the plot sequance.

Command: -PLOT
Detailed plot configuration? [Yes/No] <No>: y
Enter a layout name or [?] <Model>:
Enter an output device name or [?] <\\uspyps01\USPYMULTI23>:
Enter paper size or [?] <Letter>:
Enter paper units [Inches/Millimeters] <Inches>:
Enter drawing orientation [Portrait/Landscape] <Landscape>:
Plot upside down? [Yes/No] <No>:
Enter plot area [Display/Extents/Limits/View/Window] <Display>:
Enter plot scale (Plotted Inches=Drawing Units) or [Fit] <Fit>:
Enter plot offset (x,y) or [Center] <0.00,0.00>:
Plot with plot styles? [Yes/No] <Yes>:
Enter plot style table name or [?] (enter . for none) <>:
Plot with lineweights? [Yes/No] <Yes>:
Enter shade plot setting [As displayed/legacy Wireframe/legacy Hidden/Visual styles/Rendered] <As displayed>:
Write the plot to a file [Yes/No] <N>:
Save changes to page setup [Yes/No]? <N>
Proceed with plot [Yes/No] <Y>:

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I know this is a very late post, and you probably got sorted, but I had the same problem - saw this post, and since I've just found the cure decided to post it. The problem is with your "page setup".

First you must go to print as normal, you will get that annoying warning about the "none" being selected etc (the original problem)

Then, in the dialogue box, ADD  "Page Name" (top of the dialogue box) Make sure to set everything as you want it, page size, scale etc. etc.

Then, go ahead and print your drawing.

Now, the trick is, you have to set this PAGE NAME to be the default.

Go to File, scroll down to print, select the arrow for the extended menu options.

Select "Page Setup"

Find you newly created PAGE NAME and set it as the default but selecting "Set Current"

And that's it, you should be able to go straight to that page setup each time you select print, and all you have to do then is select the print area.

Of course, the others gave good advice too, using the "Layouts" is a great way to print lots of individual sheets, but there's a bit to know about that too, if you are doing lots of this type of printing (i.e. lots of sheets) I would strongly recommend that you explore this option.

Denis.

[CLAWRENCE4917]

8 years later and your post is still good. Just worked for me Thank You!