How Do I Print Directly From AutoCAD?

How Do I Print Directly From AutoCAD?

Printing directly from AutoCAD can be a convenient and efficient way to bring your design to life. Whether you need to print a final copy of your drawing or create multiple copies for distribution, AutoCAD provides various options for printing. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps to print directly from AutoCAD.

Step 1: Set Up Your Page Layout

Before printing, it’s important to set up the page layout correctly. This includes selecting the paper size, orientation, and plot area. To do this:

  1. Open the ‘Layout’ tab: In AutoCAD, navigate to the ‘Layout’ tab by clicking on it at the bottom left corner of the screen.
  2. Select a layout: Choose the desired layout from the available options. If you haven’t created a layout yet, you can create one by right-clicking on an existing layout and selecting ‘New Layout’.
  3. Set paper size and orientation: In the ‘Page Setup Manager’, click on ‘Modify’ next to ‘Page Setup Name’. Here, you can specify the paper size (e.g., A4, Letter) and orientation (e., Portrait, Landscape).
  4. Adjust plot area: In the same dialog box, under ‘Plot Area’, select whether you want to plot all objects or specify a window or viewport.

Step 2: Configure Plot Settings

To ensure that your drawing prints exactly as desired, you need to configure plot settings such as scale, lineweights, and plot style. Follow these steps:

  1. Open the ‘Plot’ dialog box: On the ‘Layout’ tab, click on the ‘Plot’ button in the ‘Output’ group. This will open the ‘Plot’ dialog box.
  2. Select a printer/plotter: In the ‘Plotter Name’ section, choose the printer or plotter you wish to use for printing.

    If you don’t see your desired device, click on ‘Add a Plotter’ to install it.

  3. Set plot area: Choose whether to plot everything within the selected layout or specify a window or viewport.
  4. Configure scale: Under ‘Plot Scale’, specify the scale at which you want your drawing to be printed. You can choose from options like ‘Fit to Paper’, a specific scale factor, or specify custom paper size and drawing extents.
  5. Adjust other settings: Explore other options in the dialog box such as lineweights, plot style table, and paper size adjustment if needed.

Step 3: Preview and Print

Once you have configured all your settings, it’s time to preview how your drawing will look when printed and finally print it:

  1. Preview your drawing: In the ‘Plot’ dialog box, click on the ‘Preview’ button. This will display a preview of your drawing as it would appear when printed.

    Make sure everything looks correct before proceeding.

  2. Select print settings: If you are satisfied with the preview, close it and return to the main ‘Plot’ dialog box. Here, double-check your print settings and make any necessary adjustments.
  3. Print your drawing: Click on the ‘OK’ button to start printing. Your drawing will be sent to the selected printer or plotter, and you can collect the printed output once it’s done.

And that’s it! You have successfully printed directly from AutoCAD. By following these steps, you can ensure that your drawings are accurately reproduced on paper, saving you time and effort.

Remember to always double-check your page layout and plot settings before printing to avoid any unwanted surprises. Happy printing!