Shopsmith Forums

JPG40504 wrote:Anybody know how to get a small(6"x2"x3/8") part to print out at a realistic scale on the paper?? OR how DOES one set the print scale????

I get a very small set of lines in the middle of the paper. Attempts to change size, also shifts it away from the center of the paper?????? What am I missing????

I don't know if I understand the problem so I created an object to your specifications and have printed it to see. Is this what you hope to get or is this an example of what you are trying to change?

JPG40504 wrote:Anybody know how to get a small(6"x2"x3/8") part to print out at a realistic scale on the paper?? OR how DOES one set the print scale????

I get a very small set of lines in the middle of the paper. Attempts to change size, also shifts it away from the center of the paper?????? What am I missing????

I use the old fashioned system - Real old fashioned - First I'll print out an enlarged print of the part - then draw a vertical and horizontal grid on that print.

With several measurements of the actual size of the print, I can figure the necessary reduction ratio.

Then, draw a new grid on a blank piece of paper at the reduced ratio size and manually copy (draw) the piece on the new paper. All you have to do is copy the points where the edge of the part crosses grid lines - then connect the dots. If you first grid is large, you may have to approximate any curved lines in some grid squares.

Like I said, it's old fashioned, but works every time!:) . The last one I did was to copy the advertisement of bun feet from the Rockler site to a piece of paper that I could glue to hardboard. It was used as a template for shaping them on my SS lathe. Saved me $52.00 plus shipping.

Here is a tutorial for printing to scale in Sketchup. The important thing here is your setting your scale in the print preview, not the print or print setup dialog boxes.

http://www.srww.com/blog/?p=117

shydragon wrote:Here is a tutorial for printing to scale in Sketchup. The important thing here is your setting your scale in the print preview, not the print or print setup dialog boxes.

http://www.srww.com/blog/?p=117

THANK YOU! THANK YOU!! THANK YOU!!!:)
Not only did you get my drawing to print to a reasonable scale on ONE sheet, you fixed the """PERSPECTIVE""" silliness that was driving me NUTS!!!! PARALLEL PROJECTION/ISOMETRIC views is what I UNDERSTAND!!!

Thanks Again

charlese wrote:I use the old fashioned system - Real old fashioned - First I'll print out an enlarged print of the part - then draw a vertical and horizontal grid on that print.

With several measurements of the actual size of the print, I can figure the necessary reduction ratio.

Then, draw a new grid on a blank piece of paper at the reduced ratio size and manually copy (draw) the piece on the new paper. All you have to do is copy the points where the edge of the part crosses grid lines - then connect the dots. If you first grid is large, you may have to approximate any curved lines in some grid squares.

Like I said, it's old fashioned, but works every time!:) . The last one I did was to copy the advertisement of bun feet from the Rockler site to a piece of paper that I could glue to hardboard. It was used as a template for shaping them on my SS lathe. Saved me $52.00 plus shipping.

Been There Done That! Difficult to do however when the 'original' is less than 2" x 1" and 'points' are indiscernable! Thanks:) for the suggestion!

dusty wrote:I don't know if I understand the problem so I created an object to your specifications and have printed it to see. Is this what you hope to get or is this an example of what you are trying to change?

Tell me how you got from sketchup to attachment(xxxx.png) and I will post a sample of what I WAS trying to print. Thanks to shydragon, I finally got printer output as desired!

Hi, JPG! Glad you have ended your frustration, and got it fixed the way you wanted it!:D Isn't it nifty there is always someone around this forum that can help us out?

charlese wrote:Hi, JPG! Glad you have ended your frustration, and got it fixed the way you wanted it!:D Isn't it nifty there is always someone around this forum that can help us out?

AMEN! Thanks to ALL of Y'ALL!

shydragon wrote:Here is a tutorial for printing to scale in Sketchup. The important thing here is your setting your scale in the print preview, not the print or print setup dialog boxes.

http://www.srww.com/blog/?p=117

Thank you for the link. This task was very well explained and a good learning experience. One more small step toward "becoming able" to use Sketchup. This has been a long trip for me. So much to learn.

JPG40504 wrote:Tell me how you got from sketchup to attachment(xxxx.png) and I will post a sample of what I WAS trying to print. Thanks to shydragon, I finally got printer output as desired!

It don't know exactly when the conversion to .png (Portable Network Graphics) occurs but the process is as follows:

With the sketch that you want to print selected (in Sketchup)....

Select File/Export/2D Graphic....Select the destination where it is to be stored and name it.....and Export. It is now saved as filename.png.

This file will likely have to be resized if you intend to transport it to the forum (800x600) but it can be printed without resizing.