When it comes to creating accurate and precise drawings, plotting in AutoCAD is an essential skill to master. Whether you’re working on architectural plans, mechanical designs, or anything in between, plotting allows you to translate your digital designs into tangible paper copies. In this tutorial, we will explore the various steps involved in plotting in AutoCAD and how to make the most of this powerful feature.
Setting Up Your Plot
Before diving into the actual plotting process, it’s important to ensure that your drawing is properly set up for printing. Here are a few key steps:
- Layout Tab: Switch to the desired layout tab by clicking on it. Each layout tab represents a different sheet of paper or plotter configuration.
- Paper Size: Make sure the correct paper size is selected for your plot.
You can do this by navigating to the “Page Setup” dialog box and choosing the appropriate size from the options available.
- Plot Scale: Adjust the plot scale according to your needs. This determines how much of your drawing will fit onto a single sheet of paper.
- Plot Area: Define the plot area by adjusting the viewport boundaries or by selecting a specific window within your drawing.
Selecting Plot Settings
Once you have set up your drawing for plotting, it’s time to configure the specific settings for your plot. Here’s what you need to consider:
- Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments): Choose an appropriate plot style table that suits your requirements. This table determines how colors and lineweights are translated when printing.
- Paper Orientation: Select whether you want your plot to be in portrait or landscape orientation.
- Plot Area: Decide whether you want to plot the entire drawing or just a specific area.
AutoCAD provides options for plotting the display, extents, limits, or a window.
- Plot Scale: Confirm that the plot scale is set correctly. You can choose to use the scale of your layout viewport or specify a custom scale.
Previewing and Plotting
Before finalizing your plot, it’s always a good idea to preview it to ensure everything looks as expected. AutoCAD offers a built-in preview feature that allows you to see how your drawing will appear on paper. To do this:
- Navigate to the “Plot” dialog box by either typing “PLOT” in the command line or selecting “Plot” from the application menu.
- Select your desired plotter/printer from the list of available devices.
- Adjust any additional settings such as paper size, plot area, and plot scale if necessary.
- Click on the “Preview” button to see a preview of your plotted drawing.
- If satisfied, click on the “Plot” button to send your drawing to the printer/plotter for output.
Troubleshooting Common Plotting Issues
In some cases, you may encounter issues when plotting in AutoCAD. Here are a few common problems and their potential solutions:
Poor Line Quality:
If your plotted lines appear broken or jagged, try adjusting the lineweight settings in your plot style table. Alternatively, check if your printer/plotter supports higher resolution output.
Missing Objects:
If certain objects are missing from your plotted drawing, it could be due to incorrect layer settings. Ensure that all necessary layers are turned on and set to plot.
Inconsistent Colors:
If the colors in your printed drawing do not match what you see on the screen, verify that you are using the correct plot style table. Additionally, ensure that your printer/plotter is capable of reproducing the desired colors.
By following these steps and paying attention to the necessary settings, you can produce high-quality plots from your AutoCAD drawings. Remember to regularly check for updates to your printer/plotter drivers and consult the manufacturer’s documentation for any specific instructions related to plotting with their devices. Happy plotting!