Learning about printing

[CAScott]

I currently use another BIM program and set up my CDs to be 22"x34" when issuing for permit, bids or construction. In-house, I have an 11x17 printer and simply print to 50% size for checking, coordination, etc. Can this be done using Chief Architect, or is there an equally simple way to accomplish this?

 

[Chopsaw]

Yes that is possible and quite commonly done in Chief Architect.

[VHampton]

In the preview pane, try setting the scale (fit to paper input) to 95% when printing to a 11 x 17 PDF (Tabloid size).

 

This works quite well for layouts which are set up for 24 x 36 formatted sheets.

 

The 95% however may need to be fine tuned for 22" x 34" ...meaning a few % less. ...like 92 or 93.

[Joe_Carrick]

Or you can define your Layout as 22"x34".  Custom Sheet sizes are allowed.

[Kbird1]

4 hours ago, VHampton said:

try setting the scale (fit to paper input) to 95% when printing to a 11 x 17 PDF (Tabloid size).

 

Doing this would mean the Pages are NOT at True Scale  ........as they are not printed at 100% 

but Fit to Paper (page) works if needed on 11 x17 paper  ---- not that anyone should be scaling off a Paper Page but they Will and Do. 

 

Chief does have a 1/2 Scale Check Option in the Print Dialog but on a 24 x 36 that would require a 12 x 18" page.....

 

So a 22 x 34  (or ANSI D) Layout Template will work perfectly on 11 x 17 Paper using Check Print at 1/2 Scale.

 

M.

[Chopsaw]

1 hour ago, Kbird1 said:

Doing this would mean the Pages are NOT at True Scale  ........as they are not printed at 100% 

 

That seems to be what has been done with jobs that I take over but not a true 95%, that would be too easy you need to do 94.23% or something.

[VHampton]

20 hours ago, Kbird1 said:

Doing this would mean the Pages are NOT at True Scale  ........as they are not printed at 100%

 

Totally agree Kb. Thank you for making that distinction.

(I only use 24 x 26 sized layout, and thus the unconventional fit to paper method) 

 

My response was to describe how a larger layout can fit more snug (onto an 11 x 17 sheet) - which are typically for 'show and tell purposes' only. There's also a slight benefit in making a reduced scale PDF (before sending to printer) in that it reduces the file size for emailing. 

 

But just to recap... 

• In the event that someone wants a "scale-able" 11 x 17 tabloid print, then a 22 x 34 layout is the way to go when using "Check Plot at" [1/2 scale].
• 24 x 36 sheets can be 'check plotted' at exactly 1/2 scale onto 12 x 18 paper. 

 

 

[Alaskan_Son]

On 10/14/2022 at 9:18 AM, CAScott said:

I currently use another BIM program and set up my CDs to be 22"x34" when issuing for permit, bids or construction. In-house, I have an 11x17 printer and simply print to 50% size for checking, coordination, etc. Can this be done using Chief Architect, or is there an equally simple way to accomplish this?

 

Yes.  I do this exact thing myself.  Here are a couple examples with visuals:

 

One option is to do as @Kbird1 suggested and just set you Drawing Sheet to be 22"x34" in Layout,  but when you print, simply select Check Plot at>1/2 Scale: Example using 24x36 and 12x18 but same exact principle applies:

 

If scale doesn't matter, you can also do as @VHampton suggested and simply use Fit To Paper.  I would however note that the percentage completely depends on your title block and borders.  For me, 100% works just fine for printing 24x36 to 11x17: