How to print to scale?

[Art5]

We have a 36" plotter that we use to make full size prints of jobs. I would like to know how to use the plotter with Fusion to create these full size prints. I've fooled around with the drawing workbench, but I can't even figure out how to tell it to use the correct paper size, much less get it to print to scale. This is a necessary function for any cad program, so I'm sure Fusion has it, and I'm just missing something.

As always, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Art 

[g-andresen]

Hi,

create Drawing >

günther

[Phil.E]

I just tried this and you are right, Fusion sends the print job straight to the printer and there's no chance to make corrections to the settings for plotting at scale. Perhaps your computer has a "default" plot setting and by changing that (outside Fusion) you could plot successfully?

Have you tried plotting to PDF and then use the PDF reader/viewer print workflow? At least you should then be able to access a dialog allowing settings changes.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

I'd forgotten that I always print PDFs by the way.
However, we have the problem that the printer (HP) does not accept jobs from the viewer but only from Acrobat Reader.

günther

[Phil.E · Accepted solution]

Yes, that's what I'm describing. Because of a current limitation, printing from Fusion does not open the printer settings like normally found when printing from applications.

The recommended workaround is to print to PDF and then when you use the PDF reader to print the result, it will open the print dialog and allow for scaling options.

[Anonymous]

This thread started in November 2019. I am also having the same issue. Are there any plans to fix this issue?

Mike

[Phil.E]

@Anonymous 

Can you help me understand your workflows? I would like to bring your feedback to the drawings development team but a little more detail would help.

• Do you use a plotter?
• Do you use a scale on printed drawings to take measurements?
• Please describe how the current printing options affect your workflows and how 1:1 plotting would change that.

Thanks,

[laughingcreek]

---

@Phil.E wrote:

...I would like to bring your feedback to the drawings development team..

---

@Phil.E - As long as your talking to them, you might as well remind them that when printing using the "print" button,  The print still don't print to scale.  They come out at around 97%.

This was brought up ages ago.  Some body at AD at the time said that it had something to do with making sure the entire  drawing printed (can't remember who, would have to find the thread).  There was apparently a choice between this and always printing 100% (or rather to the specified scale, and not 97% of the specified scale).  several of us where aghast that NOT printing to specified  scale specified would ever be deemed acceptable. 

I know, the work around is create  PDF, which is fine with me.  But still, this still trips new users up.  

[Phil.E]

Yes that issue is related to this thread. I'm hoping these discussions help frame the issue more clearly, just asking for more detail about how people print Fusion 360 drawings and why.

[Anonymous]

I can't speak to everyone's concern. I frequently use the prints as drill/cut templates. Print out the drawing, stick it to the piece I am modifying and use it as a template. Also handy to have it print to scale when you want to determine if the profile you designed fits an existing hardware profile. Both don't work if the print isn't to scale.

Mike

[lyons11520]

I will add my two cents.

I use the printer to create a full size image to check my prototype against.

I do not have a plotter, just a HP inkjet printer.

It is a cheap way to find mistakes and correct them before cutting expensive material.

I have found no way so far to do this from the design stage in fusion.

Being able to print a 100% size image to verify coordinates is priceless.

[Phil.E]

Thanks for the details everyone.

[lensmith701]

As a new user - I too need to print drawings and use the paper as templates to verify the design as well as save me a ton of time marking out things like where to drill holes in metal.  Printing and doing it to scale seems fundamental.

I am actually very surprised there are not more requests for printing - but then again as a new user - it took me several hours to find this post.

[Anonymous]

I need to plot in full scale too.  Has this issue been resolved??

[Phil.E]

When you say "plot" are you talking about a plotter or printer?

[Anonymous]

I'm talking about a printer. I do have a plotter and will be "plotting" in the future, but I just need a quick 11 x 17 print right now.

[Phil.E]

The recommended workaround is to print to PDF and then when you use the PDF reader to print the result, it will open the print dialog and allow for scaling options.

[Anonymous]

This issue was first posted in November 2019. It is now 2021. Is there any plan to fix the issue?

[Phil.E]

Because of a current limitation, printing from Fusion does not open the printer settings like normally found when printing from applications. The plan is to implement this functionality, the time frame is not yet determined.

[lensmith701]

Thank you for your help sir.