AutoCAD is a powerful software used for creating and designing 2D and 3D models. One important aspect of AutoCAD is the PD size, which stands for Paper Display size. In this article, we will explore what PD size is and how it affects your drawings in AutoCAD.
Understanding PD Size
The PD size in AutoCAD refers to the size of the paper or canvas on which your drawing is displayed. It determines the dimensions of your drawing space and how it will be represented on a physical sheet or screen.
Why is PD Size Important?
The PD size is crucial as it ensures that your drawings are accurately scaled and can be printed or displayed correctly. It allows you to visualize how your design will look in real-world dimensions and proportions.
Setting the PD Size
In AutoCAD, you can set the PD size by accessing the “Page Setup Manager” dialog box. This dialog box allows you to define the paper size, plot area, scale, and other printing parameters.
Follow these steps to set the PD size:
- Open Page Setup Manager: Go to the “Output” tab in the ribbon menu and click on “Page Setup Manager. “
- Select Layout: In the Page Setup Manager dialog box, select the layout for which you want to set up the PD size.
- Edit Page Setup: Click on “Modify” or “New” to edit an existing page setup or create a new one respectively.
- Select Printer/Plotter: In the Modify Page Setup dialog box, choose a printer/plotter from which you want to get paper sizes.
Alternatively, you can manually specify a custom PD size.
- Select Paper Size: After selecting the printer/plotter, choose the appropriate paper size from the drop-down list. You can also specify custom paper sizes if required.
- Adjust Other Settings: Once you have selected the PD size, you can adjust other settings such as plot area, scale, plot style table, and more as per your requirements.
- Apply and Save: Finally, click on “Apply” and “OK” to save your changes and apply the PD size to the selected layout.
Note: The PD size can differ for each layout in your AutoCAD drawing. This allows you to have different print setups for various sheets or views within your project.
Implications of PD Size
The PD size directly affects how your drawing is displayed on screen and how it will be printed. It determines the scaling factor between your virtual design space and physical output.
Scaling Factors:
- The PD size affects the scaling of objects within your drawing. A smaller PD size may require you to zoom in or scale up objects to make them visible on screen or in print.
- A larger PD size may result in a reduced scale for objects, making them appear smaller than intended. You may need to zoom out or scale down objects accordingly.
Paper Space vs. Model Space:
In AutoCAD, there are two main workspaces: Paper Space and Model Space. The PD size is particularly significant in Paper Space as it represents how your drawing will appear when printed or plotted.
In Model Space, where you create your design, the PD size may not have an immediate impact on your workflow. However, it is essential to set the correct PD size in Paper Space to ensure accurate representation and scaling of your design.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the PD size in AutoCAD refers to the paper display size and plays a vital role in accurately representing and scaling your drawings. By setting the appropriate PD size, you can ensure that your designs are displayed correctly on screen and printed with the desired dimensions.
Remember to adjust other settings such as plot area, scale, and plot style table to further refine your print setup. Understanding and utilizing the PD size feature in AutoCAD will help you create professional drawings that accurately represent your design intentions.