whitespace removal from hardcopy plots

[bart.tuytten]

Hello,

For sketching and marking purpose, I try to do a smaller scale plot of drawings.

Before I was able to do so that when I took an A0-layout drawing and scaled it ½, the plotter would automatically remove(cut) the remaining whitespace in the plot-direction.

Also my colleague does like that.

While all my plotter settings (Océ TDS 860) have been matched with my colleagues’ plotter settings. Nowadays my drawing comes out scaled, though the plotter exactly cuts along the page format I chose. Ending up with a lot of paper loss and less manageable hardcopy documents.

Is it possible to tell me which Autocad settings might be causing/solving this issue?

Thank you, Bart Tuytten

[RobDraw]

Do not scale the drawing.

Select a paper size and assign the appropriate scale, i.e. 1:2 for 1/2 size in the print dialog box.

[bart.tuytten]

Hello Rob,

first of all thank you for your reply and sorry for my bad English.

By 'scaling the drawing' I actually referred the operation you explained.

So I change scale in plot dialogue box.

I use the 'window' option to determine the region to be plotted.

The paper size is actually bigger than needed, but in the past our plotter seemed to 'know' when there was nothing

left to be plotted. At that position it just immediately cut the paper sparing material.

I am still not 100% sure this is due to Autocad or to some invisible setting of the plotter itself.

If you might think of some other possible cause, please let me know.

Best regards, Bart Tuytten

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> The paper size is actually bigger than needed, but in the

>> past our plotter seemed to 'know' when there was nothing

>> left to be plotted

When you have selected the device in the plotter dialog, then go to properties (right beside the device selection), in the new dialog select "Custom Properties" in the upper half, then the button "Custom Properties", this brings you to the device specific settings for your plotter .. here you have to find the setting for automatically reduce the paper size to the used area ... when you have modified this setting close all dialogs ok and make sure that you created a new PC3-file when you were asked to do this. Use this PC3-file in the future as I guess it's cutting now correct.

- alfred -

[bart.tuytten]

Hi Alfred,

Thank you for your input.

I found those settings and toggled the available switches.

Unfortunately not leading yet to the desired result.

Though I don't expect it might have any effect, I consider updating to Autocad2020.

If that works I will post so.

Until further notice. No solution yet.

If any other idea comes up, please let me know.

Best Regards, Bart Tuytten

[bart.tuytten]

Hello,

migration to Autocad2020 did not help unfortunately.

So if any other ideas... still welcome.

Best Regards, Bart Tuytten

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> migration to Autocad2020 did not help unfortunately.

No, because I'm quite sure it's a setting inside the plotter driver.

What happens when you plot to an A3 PDF, but the content is only A4 (place the A4 content in the middle of the A3 paper space. Send this PDF to the plotter, how does this look like?

- alfred -

[bart.tuytten]

Hi Alfred,

thanks again for your input.

A3 pdf landscape with full height cross in center, sent to plotter does initiate this hardcopy plot:

-plotter chooses the available small format roll (for A1)

-plotter rotated the cross, so there is as less as possible paper consumed of the A1 roll.

-the cut length is the width of A4 format, but the cross is not exactly in the center of that A4

As workaround, the method via pdf is better for environment, yet for working hours I still

prefer the "good-old-fashioned"-way.

Is the above outcome an indication of a driver issue indeed?

Looking forward to hear about that.

Best Regards, Bart Tuytten

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

Do I understand this correct ... when you send the PDF to the plotter the paper saving options are all working well.

When you use the same plotter driver when plotting the same dwg means you loose A3 instead of A4 from the roll?

What you can try too (to prevent to be dependent from any user specific Windows or AutoCAD presets): login with a new Windows user account and try to plot the same file again, same paper wasting?

- alfred -

[bart.tuytten]

Hi Alfred,

it looks like that other plots do turn out well indeed.

Logging in with a different Windows account hasn't been possible yet,

since it's a company computer system. I'm restricted to my personal

account.

As soon as I get progression there, I will let you know.

Best Regards, Bart Tuytten

[SolidBear]

Good day! 

I believe this is what you're looking for.

If not I apologize for causing any confusion.

Anthony

[bart.tuytten]

Hello,

thank you for your reply.

When going to these settings, I get dialogue boxes that look

slightly different. I suppose it depends on what machine

is being used?

Though I think your suggestion corresponds to the setting below.

Yet that doesn't turn out in a good plot.

Since Covid most of plots go to .pdf. And then - if required - I make a hardcopy

from the app that I use to read them.

That is a workaround that did not solve the actual issue, but it's ok to proceed with.

Kind regards,

Bart Tuytten