Split large file into different A4 papers and print them

[Anonymous]

Hi,

I have a large figure. This figures size is approx. 255cm x 160 cm. I want to print this. However I cannot print that large, I can only print the usual A4 ( 210 mm × 297mm) size letters. Now I want to split this figure into (quite a lot I guess) A4 papers and print them.

I attached the file.

Here is a rough illustration of what I mean (I just inserted a few A4s, the size is just guessed):

Or it could be also like this:

How can I do this?

It would be great to also have them numberd, so that it is easier to attach and sort them once printed out.

Thanks a lot for any help!

[cadffm]

A macro or script for plotting the A4 or in lisp,vba,.net with a little programm.
But oob you can try to plot a pdf file and some pdf-viewer can split drawing by printing to A4.
I don't no the english Word for this option, perhaps "tile"

Google: pdf plot tile https://forums.adobe.com/thread/1055952

[neaton · Accepted solution]

I created an A4 block with a number attribute for the sheet numbers. First change the size of the rectangle to be what you want printed by right clicking on the block and choosing Block Editor from the drop down menu. The size will depend on your printer margins. Place the block on the layout as best fits. Remember to account for any required overlap between sheets.

Once the layout of sheets is determined double-click on the individual blocks and change the block attribute so they have consecutive numbers around the alignment.

If this will need to be printed more than once I recommend creating a layout tab for each A4 sheet and use the Publish command to print them all at the same time and in order: Select all the layout tabs to be printed and right click. Choose Publish Selected Layouts... from the drop down menu.

I did sheets 1 and 2 in the attached drawing.

Nancy

@Anonymous wrote:

Hi,

I have a large figure. This figures size is approx. 255cm x 160 cm. I want to print this. However I cannot print that large, I can only print the usual A4 ( 210 mm × 297mm) size letters. Now I want to split this figure into (quite a lot I guess) A4 papers and print them.

I attached the file.

How can I do this?

It would be great to also have them numbered, so that it is easier to attach and sort them once printed out.

Thanks a lot for any help!

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

I was going to suggest a process similar to what @neaton did but I did a quick search in the Autodesk App Store and found this utility. [Model Space PDF-Conveyer] It sounds like it might automate the process of tiling the drawing to separate PDF print jobs.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[imadHabash · Accepted solution]

Hi,

as seen from my screencast ... VPSYNC express tool will help you a lot since i use it from many years ago and it was very helpful. this Layout command will aligns the views in one or more adjacent layout viewports with a master layout viewport. also you have to know that there is a maximum number of VP that controlled by MAXACTVP system variable (2-64) . the master VP scale will be reflect to all other ones, so you have to know and specify your scale before use vpsync command . after that you can plot them and as you need.

1xp ---> 1/100

2xp ---> 1/50

.5xp ---> 1/200

Note :

• i notice from your attached images that your A4 rectangles sizes are not equal and has different sizes and shapes !!! ( maybe it's a visual matter ).
• some times when you use this command vpsync .. you need to make an overlap area for your drawing so that after plotting it will be easy to match later.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I am checking back to see if my post or others helped you with your problem. Please add a post with how you decide to proceed and your results so other Community members may benefit.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Thanks to all of you for your help.

However I do not understand the solution.

"so you have to know and specify your scale before use vpsync command "

Well, I want to keep the original scale. The file is in original size and I want to keep that size.

Also what does this mean:

1xp ---> 1/100

2xp ---> 1/50

.5xp ---> 1/200

?

I have the file in original size and I want to print it in this scale. So no change in size/scale. Furthermore yes I need an overlap, since I have a regular printer which cannot print on the edges. How can this be done?

Furthermore how can I print the red rectangles you have drawn in your screencast? So the final outcome of your screencast, how can I print the different A4s? Is it possible to print them with a numbering, so that I can sort them later on more easily?

[john.vellek]

HI @Anonymous,

1xp ---> 1/100

2xp ---> 1/50

.5xp ---> 1/200

This syntax is used to manually set a zoom scale in a viewport. Double-clicking in the viewport and then executing ZOOM, you have the chance to enter a scale factor such as 1xp which would mean 1 * paperspace scale or 1:1. 

For setting up the rectangles, I suggest consider using a block with attributes or text that can be incremented by using one of the Express Tools or another add-in.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your answer, how can I make an overlap with the suggested solution?

"For setting up the rectangles, I suggest consider using a block with attributes or text that can be incremented by using one of the Express Tools or another add-in."

I don't know how to do this, since I am a beginner.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

You can simply place the rectangles on a non-plot layer first and then don't set them corner to corner but place one with an "overhang" of an fixed amount.   If you have a sample file where you have started this process, I am happy to take a closer look with you.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I mocked up your drawing with a block that represents the printed sheet size.  I also include a frame that represents a 10mm margin on each side.  In the block I also added a number attribute to help you keep track of each print.  The numbers were automatically incremented using the attached LSP file.

I hope this gets you further along.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[john.vellek · Accepted solution]

Hi @Anonymous,

I got your PMs this weekend so I made another video for you.  You will see I created a second example drawing with a made-up shape. 

• I import the block and Layout from the first example drawing that I set up for you.
• Then I place (manually) the block to capture all portions of the shape. As I place the block, I edit the attribute to number each frame. This could also be done automatically with the LISP routine I provided.
• After the blocks are placed, I then go to my first layout.
• IN this layout, I use ALIGNSPACE to zoom to and align the inner boundary of the block with the corners of my viewport.
• I then copy the layout to a second one and perform the same steps to zoom to the 2nd block.
• I do this for each block in modelspace.
• After this is done I import the A0 pagesetup from the Example.dwg.
• Lastly, I use PUBLISH to create the PDF using the page setup I imported.

Please let me know if this gets up working in the correct direction.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[jrpinto1965]

@john.vellek,

Great video on the thread, "Split large file into different A4 papers and print them". 

'Twas very helpful.

Thanks and a Merry Christmas 2020 and a great year ahead. May God save us from Covid-19.

[maratovich]

Maybe it will help you for automatic separation and printing - Skleyka 

[jrpinto1965]

Thank you @maratovich) for the link to automatic separation and printing (Skleyka).