Scaling drawing format to match model

[Russell67]

I currently have my standard drawing formats (a,b,d,e size)
however as many may understand if i create a dwg on e-size and print 8 1/2 x 11 the text is impossible to see. It is important that my model always remains 1:1 scale. I would like to have a standard dwg format and just scale the frame up or down to better fit my model. Kinda like autocad method. How do i do this? Also i have searched and nothing really addresses this isssue. Thanks

 

[rockguy]

Lets say you create a drawing on an E size sheet and the drawing view is set to 1:1. Now you want to keep the drawing acale at 1:1 and switch the paper size to A. I believe if you right click on the sheet in the feature tree (ex sheet 1) and select properties you have the choices under "Sheet Format\Size" You can either select a standerd sheet size from the list (in this case a) and reload which will chage your paper size to A and keep the drawing the same or you can choose "Custom Sheet Size" and input the size sheet you would like. Either way you have changed the sheet size without affecting the actual drawing view.

Rob Rodriguez CSWP
President: Northern
Vermont SolidWorks User Group

http://www.robrodriguez.com

SW 2006 SP 2.0

 

[ctopher]

If you print this way, don't forget "Not to Scale" on the dwg.

Chris
Systems Analyst
SolidWorks/PDMWorks 05
AutoCAD 05
ctopher's home site (updated 06-21-05)
FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

 

[Russell67]

Thanks rockguy. I have tried this but when i select custom i loose my titleblock and fields. A long and tediuos work around would be to take say my b-sheet format and make several sizes of varous x and y sizes, but like i mention this is long and tedious. And as Murphy goes i probably would end up creating those for all the sizes that i do not need. Scaling is really what i am after because it would also keep the aspect ratio.

 

[Russell67]

But if you print an e-size on a 11 x 17 paper its not to scale anyways. How many poeple out there actually print on the size of the actual paper? Of course we would put tha in the titleblock as well.

 

[rockguy]

Ok, you have a B size sheet all set up with a title block and whatever else. Good. So now you need to make A, C, D, and E sizes so you can use the "Standard Format/Size" option and reload.

Making the other sizes is a snap if you have one done. Open your blank B size drawing template, right mouse click and select edit sheet format. You are now editing the sheet entities, tile blocks etc. Select everyhting and hit COPY. Now open another B size drawing template and edut he sheet. Erase everything so you have a clean sheet of paper. Set your sheet size in the "custom" dialog. Now PASTE your title block an info onto the sheet. All you have to do is adjust the border lines (if you have them) to fit on the A size and position your other info.

Rob Rodriguez CSWP
President: Northern
Vermont SolidWorks User Group

http://www.robrodriguez.com

SW 2006 SP 2.0

 

[Regg]

What I do not understand is why you need 1:1 scale if you do not plan on printing at 1:1?

 

[rockguy]

I was wondering the same thing??

Rob Rodriguez CSWP
President: Northern
Vermont SolidWorks User Group

http://www.robrodriguez.com

SW 2006 SP 2.0

 

[Russell67]

After we create the dwg we then print out a ledger (11 x 17) size and put it into our document library. We also save as a dxf file and this 1:1 of the model is used for nc data. (I know crude). The dwgs in the document library are used for the production floor, sometimes copied 11 x 17 other times 8 1/2 x 11. The e-size which fits most our stuff at 1:1 is impossible to read the revision information or even the drawing notes. Also if we send this to our customer they like the 1:1 for there finishing stuff but also like to print the dwg or dxf or pdf whatever they request. Also if we create something small and put this on our b-sheet we have no room because the title block and other stuff take up so much room.

On a side note could i create a block from my title block and scale this up or down?

 

[rockguy]

You could do that. If your using custom properties info to fill in the title block info the block will have attributes that correspond to the properties.

You could also have a second (or the last sheet) in your drawing set to the 11 x 17 or 8 1/2 x 11 size. You do all your work on sheet one (E size at 1:1) and then copy everything to the second (or last) sheet which is the smaller size, you would have to scale the views to fit on the smaller sheet. I'm not exactly sure this would work well, just thinking out loud??

Rob Rodriguez CSWP
President: Northern
Vermont SolidWorks User Group

http://www.robrodriguez.com

SW 2006 SP 2.0

 

[Russell67]

Well i think i found a solution.

1) Edit sheet format that fills page good.
2) Highlight all and save as block.
3) Create blank dwg template.
4) After model creation, open blank dwg template and modify sheet size to fit part at 1:1 scale.
5) Edit sheet format and insert block. Scale block to fill sheet.
6) Modify document fonts so dimensions are legible.

Now for the problems

1) When i have what looks good and then go to print preview i end up with more margin than i see. ALthough not a major problem just does not fill sheet well.
2) Revision tables, How can i also scale this in the same manner as our blocks, but yet still be allowed to enter a new row and up the rev. If i create custom properties they will all update to the new text.

Overall this does seem to work other than a few glitches. Has anybody else tried anything similiar to this? Thanks

 

[KPKenny]

Have you tried the 1:1 scaling option when saving as a .dxf? Search "1:1 scale output" in the help.