How do I print out a sketch?

[Anonymous]

Hi all,

What's the best way to go about printing out a sketch on a regular inkjet printer to scale?

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymouswrote:

As the OP, I find it amazing too the lack of response on this issue, however, I am more laid back about it. They have a giant program with lots of asks from users, 

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Yes, but to a large extent AD have created these issues (of there being so many demands from users) themselves. So when the user asks for something, or questions why such a basic concept or piece of functionality is lacking or even missing entirely it now pretty much gets ignored or you have to "vote" on it, and even then it can sit there for months and months without any action.

Certain aspects of F360 are class leading no doubt, but it is let down by sometimes almost nonsensical sections of code that leave one dumbfounded to be sure.

[Anonymous]

+1

[Anonymous]

With the sketch open, un tick any features not required such as grid, profile etc in the sketch palette. Go to:- File - Capture image - (select image resolution) - ok - (select name and type) - Save. Then print the file.

[etfrench]

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@Anonymous wrote:

With the sketch open, un tick any features not required such as grid, profile etc in the sketch palette. Go to:- File - Capture image - (select image resolution) - ok - (select name and type) - Save. Then print the file.

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How are you ensuring the scale is 1:1 (or other desired scale)?

[Anonymous]

No. That would be "how to capture a .jpeg image and print a picture of your sketch". We need to be able to directly print an exact version of the sketch without compromising the size of the drawing. The point is to be able to easily make templates without having to guess what size it might print out.

[Anonymous]

Not what i needed, i need vector print woth correct dimension. Not some
hacked way

[tommVS2MB]

I read this thread and I concluded that it was not possible to print to size D paper; no support for printing and certainly not large scale.

I looked at the options in F360: What I found was the ability to output in .PDF in paper size a,b,c,d,e.

I output a file to pdf in size D and opened it (F360 opened it for me) I chose print and my printers were offered; I have an 11x17 and it was available, I have an 8 1/2x11 and it was offered; It would scale it for me if I wanted. I could have sent my output to the local print shop and had it printed in size D or as a 4' High banner.

What's the problem?

Choose your size, output as pdf, print it for your pdf reader or have it printed at FedEx.

If you still have a plotter for printing prints it is time to upgrade and probably time to retire your Leroy lettering kit.

Tom Meyers

[dieselguy65]

exactly.

i cant believe this is still alive even.

i have yet to ever need to print a "sketch".

making a drawing to use in the hsop is great, and easily doable right now.

a "sketch" in fusion isnt something i see the need to print.

i cant see doing it in any CAD software.]

[Anonymous]

It's still "alive" as you put it, because we all use F360 (or try to use it) differently. I cannot believe that wouldn't be patently obvious, but there you go.

I need to print out sketches regularly, but F360 makes it impossible to achieve easily.

I would also like to have a fully functional Parameters window, but that also appears to be beyond the capabilities of the developers. Amazing.

[Anonymous]

I was a big proponent of printing sketches 18 months ago but this has been largely solved. You can right click on a sketch and export as a dxf if you need. Better is to simply make your sketch and then go to the drawing space and activate your sketch in the browser. Then you can export a PDF with added dimensions. 

[bjs33]

I have been using autocad for years and trying to use 360 and not being able to print out my sketches has caused me to loose many hours of sleep. Learning 360 you have to find ways to make it work for you. I have a bracket that is 3/16 thick plate steal. To be able to print this I have to make it a 3d drawing. I want it to have options to be 1.5 inches shorter. For the option to be dimensined the plate needs to be made into to pieces. You can't just toss in a dimension where ever you want it. I wish there was a way to print a sketch. I voted for it. 2 years later then when I needed it. For people learning this from other software it is a tuff thing to wrap your head around. Every program I can think of has a print option. I think that is why I struggled for so long with this software.

[bjs33]

Thanks for the instructions on how to do it. Much appreciated.

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@Anonymous wrote:

I was a big proponent of printing sketches 18 months ago but this has been largely solved. You can right click on a sketch and export as a dxf if you need. Better is to simply make your sketch and then go to the drawing space and activate your sketch in the browser. Then you can export a PDF with added dimensions. 

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[bjs33]

I thought I had it figured out but still not what I wanted.

Need that print button.

I want all the dimensions from my sketch. Would be nice to print out my sketch to test fit before I turn it into a 3d model.

[OceanHydroAU]

HOW DO YOU OUTPUT AS PDF ?

[etfrench]

Create a drawing. Add the sketch to the drawing (You have to turn the sketch visibility on after placing the base view).

[Anonymous]

how do you add the sketch to the drawing. I have one sketch/body pair, and second sketch. I don't have any bodies for the second sketch as its going to aid me for the fitting. I just need to get it printed out so that I can stick it on the surface and try measurements. 

I can create a drawing, but the base view gives me option to add the body only. As you said after adding that base view I could toggle visibility for sketches, but I could find any way to get the second sketch (without any body associated) to view.

[Dirtboat]

Exporting a DXF doesn't cut it.  I do a lot of CAD (Cardboard Aided Design) where I send my component to Create Drawing and print it as a non-scaled PDF to use as a test fit or template.  The drawing can even have dimensions and hole centers added to the base drawing after sending it to Create Drawing .  Many people are saying this is "printing a sketch", but this is not why I and many others would like a true print "from" sketch window button. 

I'm a hobbyist, not a manufacturer, and my friends are not online collaborators.  It just seems like such a basic need to be able to print a page directly from the sketch window so that you could take it to someone not sitting on a computer and discuss design changes or dimensions while showing ALL of the original constraints, dimensions, reference lines and origins.....everything.  And not all of us have CNC mills.  Having a fully dimensioned drawing by your side would be really useful.  

It's like using an architectural blueprint....an outline just isn't adequate.

And having to use a screenshot just seems kind of lame.  For this use, a printout does not have to be 1:1, it only needs to best 'fit' a printer sheet.

[ride4sun]

I have a hard time believing that we have to argue about a print button. That should be there from day one.

The dxf does not work.

For now the fastes way is a screenshot and print image for me . 

[dieselguy65]

A sketch isn't something you would be printing. Not sure why this is still
going on.
You make a drawing from a 3d part.
I make drawings regularly, and it works fine. Design your part, go into the
drawing workspace, and you create your engineering drawing to send to the
shop to be built, quoted, etc.
I even bought a large format printer so I don't have to run down to the
office supply to have them printed.
It works flawlessly, every time.

I can't grasp why people feel they need to print a sketch.

[Anonymous]

Well, some of us need to print the sketch with all constraints etc. Also for a quick dimensional lines to mark on other materials draw a quick sketch and print would be so much easier. Note that Fusion360 is marketed for hobbyists as well, so we may not be able to afford large printers or design shops, but we certainly have a cheap printer handy!!

Again ask is not a super difficult thing, it's just rendering the sketch to print channel instead of screen.