Scale

[Murph]

I am using Autocad 14 and am just learning on the fly. When I open a new drawing I just hit cancel and type in MVSETUP. I choose architectural dimensions, no paper space, 1/4" per foot scale (48) and 36"x24" paper size. Its all good, but when I print the plan it is not to scale. I specify 1/4" per foot an the plot preview shows my drawing way to big for the paper. so, I just window the drawing and it is way under scale :(. I use an empty title block that I open and insert my drawings as blocks. The dimensions on the title block is 144'x96', I figure that is the right size for the drawing. Can someone tell me what Im doing wrong? Should I be using paper space? Should I draw at 1:1 instead of 48 (1/4" per foot)? I can draw ok but cant get it to plot to scale.:banghead3

[CarLB]

"Should I draw at 1:1" - Yes, always.
"Should I be using paper space" - Yes in most people's opinion; it simplifies plotting, multiple views, etc.

I didn't know you could use mvseup from modelspace.; I look at it as formatting/editing of viewports made in paperspace with the "mview" command. If you are drawing to 1:48 then you would plot at 1:1. But it's much better to draw at 1:1 then plot at your plot scale. but even better work from paperspace, set plot scales in the viewports, then plot at 1:1.

[Murph]

Thanks for the reply CarlB. I will try to use paper space and draw 1:1. View ports and mview are still greek to me :) Im still learning by the seat of my pants. I may be to much of a beginer for this site, any help I can get is so appreciated. do you draw into a title block, or insert the drawing after?

Thanks!

[Murph]

Well, I tried setting up in paper space and drawing 1:1 (full). I think a 20' line is actualy 20' long! I cant even find the end of it on the drawing! I dont use grids, I just type @20'<0 when I draw. Probably sounds stupid to you guys that know what your doing :). How about walking me through a setup?:boohoo:

[Cad64]

I think you may be a little confused about model space and paper space. Model space is where you do all of your drawing at 1:1. You switch to paper space when you are ready to print. At that time you set your paper size, the scale of your viewport, choose your pen settings, insert your title block and add any applicable notes.

This link should help you out:

http://www4.dogus.edu.tr/bim/bil_kay/pak_prog/autocad14/ch15.htm

[Murph]

I tried the advanced wizard and when it asked for the size of the paper space I made it 144'x96' and then I could draw a 20' line without falling off the face of the earth. I need to take it to the printer and see how it plots.

You mean I set all that stuff up when I plot? I need a class or a book I can understand.:banghead3 If you can still find one for R14.

[csiarch]

Murph: In case you haven't caught on yet....

Model space is for drawing; paperspace is for plotting.

Objects should be drawn full size in model space; in paperspace you need to create a viewport to "see" what you've drawn in model space scaled down to a size that will fit on a sheet of plotting paper.

Viewports with scale factors applied reside in paperspace. If you wish to view the objects you drew full size in model space at a size that wil fit on a standard sheet size (like 36 x 24), you need to apply a scale factor to the view port to allow you to do so. If the objects will display at 1/4" per ft, the view port needs to have that scale factor applied.

Click on the viewport to make it active (border will become brighter) staart the Zoom command and when prompted, type: 1/48xp. Objects in the viewport should appear at 1/48th their actual size.

Experiment....

[Murph]

Thanks csiarch, I just ordered AutoCad R14 for dummies :). I sized my title block to 144' wide and 96' high.Then I could draw at full scale. Hopefully I can plot it at 1/48 scale and it will come out. My newest problem is I can't type any notes in the titleblock in paper space. It stacks all the letters one on top of the other no matter what size I make the text. I am inserting a text block into the title block (where the notes go) and trying to type in my notes. Sure sounds easy :/

[csiarch]

Murph! Size your title block to whatever size your plotter supports.

Paperspace plotting is done at 1:1, not to some "scale".

As was said before, viewports with scale factors are the devices used to reduce the size of objects drawn in MODEL space (at 1:1) to something that can fit on a real-world size piece of paper.

Screw the plotting to a scale; all you'll do is wind up getting confused.

Set up a plot style and ctb file for line weights, and plot at 1:1.

Don't know what your font problem is...maybe too BIG???? What font is it anyway?

It's best when learning cadd not to form any bad habits you'll have to "unlearn" later.

Cheers

[Murph]

I tried setting up with the wizard, templates, mvsetup. I just cant get it. I need to have someone hold my hand through one setup. :(
From what I gather I use a 36"x24" title block and scale the viewport or ports. I have no idea how to do that. I might be to much work to pound this stuff into my head. You have to be a Cad programer to understand the language in autocad help. I may go back to the pencile :(, I could have finished 5 drawings by now! Thanks for the attempt to help me.

[csiarch]

Murph: Instructions for scaling viewport were furnished in a previous response. Go back and read them again, please.

Doing things differently just takes some practice....