question: Creating actual size templates?

cobra.driver · Post by **cobra.driver** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:10 am

Ok so I've searched here and on the net and haven't found what I'm looking for.

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

JPG · Post by **JPG** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 2:16 am

cobra.driver wrote: . . .

Am I nuts or is this possible?.

CD

Yes! Indeedy

cobra.driver · Post by **cobra.driver** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 2:25 am

ok...yes indeedy that I'm nuts or that it's possible?

dasgud · Post by **dasgud** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 8:43 am

You can set the print scale size. So depending on which program you are using you would choose to print a selected area at a scale of 1:1 (if your design is drawn at a scale of 1:1. You would have to adjust for different design scaling). When I want to print a large project with AutoCAD to my letter size printer, I'll layout a grid of 8 x 10½" boxes over the drawing so I can create non-printing print borders. Then use those boxes to snap to when making a print view selection. (note: I don't have autocad installed anymore since Win7 is not compatible so I don't remember the actual commands

)
The last time I tried to print full scale with the free sketchup program, I couldn't control what I selected to print or where it was placed on the paper. That caused me to need to print 4 sheets for a single 8½ x 11 sheet. I didn't figure out what I was doing wrong yet.

Stay safe everyone

Happy holidays to everyone

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 9:06 am

This issue has been discussed here before. I seem to recollect that the conclusion was Sketchup does does print to scale if you are using the free version.

I think I have confirmed that. I can print to scale using my AutoCad (version 5) which is very old but cannot using the current free Sketchup.

tom_k/mo · Post by **tom_k/mo** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 10:17 am

According to THIS KBfile on SketchUp's site, you CAN print actual size in SketchUp. Looks rather easy.

shipwright · Post by **shipwright** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 12:02 pm

Just a note about large paper patterns. Some yacht designers who sell plans to amateur builders supply full size paper patterns. There have been disasters due to expansion and contraction of the paper destroying whatever advantage there originally may have been in having the patterns. If you make large patterns, I'd store them carefully and use them soon.

Paul M

SDSSmith · Post by **SDSSmith** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 4:49 pm

CorelDraw offers tiled printing. I export files from my CAD program in a DXF format and then import them into CorelDraw. From there I use the tile print function. It prints the drawing with alignment marks to facilitate putting it together again. Sketchup may have this feature also.

cobra.driver · Post by **cobra.driver** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 10:51 am

SDSSmith wrote:CorelDraw offers tiled printing. I export files from my CAD program in a DXF format and then import them into CorelDraw. From there I use the tile print function. It prints the drawing with alignment marks to facilitate putting it together again. Sketchup may have this feature also.

That right there is the deal....Thanx SDS!

You select the items you want to print, go to the print screen, go thru the setup making sure you have it at 100% scale size, and the preview shows you how many sheets you will use and what this will look like prior to printing. Hit "Print" and Voila!!!

Each piece might take 2-3 minutes for set-up and printing once you get the hang of it.

Now I have some cutting and transferring to do then its off to the table-saw/band-saw to work on my set of 4 "Jakes Chair".

The only drawback is that the plans must be in DFX format but it seems to me there are many out there this way.

Thanx again

CD

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Thu Dec 23, 2010 11:29 am

cobra.driver wrote:That right there is the deal....Thanx SDS!

You select the items you want to print, go to the print screen, go thru the setup making sure you have it at 100% scale size, and the preview shows you how many sheets you will use and what this will look like prior to printing. Hit "Print" and Voila!!!

Each piece might take 2-3 minutes for set-up and printing once you get the hang of it.

Now I have some cutting and transferring to do then its off to the table-saw/band-saw to work on my set of 4 "Jakes Chair".

The only drawback is that the plans must be in DFX format but it seems to me there are many out there this way.

Thanx again

CD

What must one do to convert Sketchup drawings to DXF format?