question: Creating actual size templates?

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:31 am

I think the answer here is you can do anything if you don't consider the cost. Depending on how big the actual project will be you could end up spending more getting full size plans than the actual project itself costs.

Paper, ink, scanner/plotters/printers are not cheap when used in the grand scale.

If you really wanted to I guess you could get a 10ftx20ft plotter and produce any size pattern up to about 3 times the plotter dimensions. But my guess would be you would use a lot of 8x11 sheets of paper and tape and a whole lot of ink. Perhaps you could go to the local newspaper and get a roll of the newsprint paper. It is about 10 feet wide and probably a mile or two long.

Although they do move it around on a huge forklift, who knows you might be able to convince your wife you need one.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 12:01 pm

Yes, Ed, printing something that big is probably ill-advised BUT I would occasionally like to print something that is considerably smaller to scale.

I have been trying to print to scale (1:1) a 6" cube and though I get a print out - it is not 6x6x6.

Even a 6x6 rectangle is not 6x6 actual so there is something to learn here. At least for me.

efmaron · Post by **efmaron** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 12:15 pm

This program will do what you are looking for. It is fast and accurate and you can use your own printer to do it, it will print out as many pages as necessary for the size you what
http://rapidresizer.com/indexb.php?ad=g ... 4AodpTq3nw

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 2:01 pm

dusty wrote:What must one do to convert Sketchup drawings to DXF format?

I believe the answer is to go "Pro", SketchUp Pro that is.

tdubnik · Post by **tdubnik** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 2:33 pm

I just posted a quick and dirty tutorialabout how to do this without external programs or going PRO.

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 3:28 pm

SDSSmith wrote:I believe the answer is to go "Pro", SketchUp Pro that is.

No need to go "Pro"... HERE's a plug-in for Sketchup that will export a SketchUp model to DXF, and works fine with the free version.

keakap · Post by **keakap** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 12:51 pm

cobra.driver wrote:...
Basically what I want to do, if possible, is take by 8.5 x 11 printed plans for "X Project" and scan it/print it actual size. I don't want to mess with grid lines and playing connect-the-dots, carbon paper etc. Am I anywhere near reality or is that the norm?.

I figure with scanners, cad programs, plotters etc. the technology is out there to be able to print actual size templates, transfer them to butcher paper or tape 8.5 x 11 sheets together in a banner format and transfer THAT drawing to the wood.

Am I nuts or is this possible?.

CD

I dunno if you're nuts or not, but what you want is absolutely possible.

;-)

cobra.driver · Post by **cobra.driver** » Sat Dec 25, 2010 5:41 pm

Got it KeaKap, Corel Draw with DFX files.

Everything is printed cut and ready for transfer to my 4x8 sheet, then we get a cuttin and makin a few "Jakes Chairs" for the porch in time for summer.

CD