Common Mistakes When Printing to Scale in AutoCAD and How to Avoid Them

Whether you’re using AutoCAD for work or personal projects, running into problems is more common than you might think.

If you are also struggling with Printing to scale in AutoCAD, here are some common mistakes to avoid.

Overlooking  the Drawing Units

One of the biggest mistakes you can make while learning how to print to scale in AutoCAD is not setting the correct drawing units. Overlooking the importance of this step can seriously affect the outcome of your efforts.

Therefore, it is always recommended to use the UNITS command to set the right measurements and maintain the integrity of your project. This can prevent scaling issues in your project.

Using the Wrong Space

Whether you are using model space or layout space for printing can have a huge impact on the outcome of all your hard work. The wrong choice of layout space can lead to prints that are not accurate to scale.

You can always use layout tabs to create a paper space layout. From there on, you can insert the viewport, scale it, and print from the layout. This is the most effective way for printing to scale.

Overlooking Viewport Scales

You cannot expect favourable outcomes from printing to scale in AutoCAD if you do not understand the importance of viewport scales. If you select a random zoom level instead of a standard scale, the drawings may print inaccurately.

To choose viewport scales, click on the viewport and choose a standard scale and select the best option from the menu. Once selected, make sure to lock the viewport afterwards to prevent accidental changes.

Ignoring the Plot Size and Area

Many people using AutoCAD as a beginner often face issues such as clipped drawings or incorrect margins. This issue can be frustrating and often happens because users forget to choose the right paper size and plot area.

In order to avoid incorrect margins and clipped drawings, you must select the correct paper size and make sure Plot Area is set to Layout. You must also make sure to check Plot Preview to check before printing.

Avoiding Lineweights and Plot Styles        

The best way to avoid unreadable designs is to pay attention to Lineweights and plot styles. If you avoid Lineweights and plot styles for too long, the lines might be too thick, too thin, or missing entirely.

It is always recommended that you use a CTB or STB plot style to control Lineweights and colours. Make sure to select the correct one in the Plot dialogue to create a perfect design using AutoCAD.

Forgetting Tile Block or Scale Indicator

Finally, do not forget to include a title block and scale indicator when printing. Without them, others will not know the scale, even if it is set correctly.

Therefore, you must not forget to include a title block. This must contain all the specifications, such as the scale, drawing title, and all the necessary information to cut out on confusion.