By Dennis Collin
Before plotting a drawing in AutoCAD, it is desirable to specify the settings that determine the appearance and format of the plotted output. To save time and to ensure consistency, users can store these settings within a drawing as a named page setup.
Typically, when a layout is accessed initially, a single layout viewport is displayed, with a dashed line indicating the printable area of the paper for the currently configured paper size for the default plotter. This will be configured to the company requirements and then saved within a typical project template, along with layers, title sheet and other settings.
Page setups are useful if the layout needs to be output in several ways or applying the same output options for several layouts. Page Setups are also useful for AutoCAD's Batch Plot function which allows users to generate unattended multiple plots. The Publish command will use the last used page setup in that drawing or if there are no setups available, a page setup configuration can be imported from another project drawing or template file.
A page setup stores a lot of information including the plotter type, media size, plotter extents, scale, pen assignments, offsets and orientation.
Once a template with page setups has been defined, the setups can be used in the establishing of plot layouts and imported into other drawings either with the Publish command or by right clicking a layout tab and choose Page Setup Manager>Import.
Imported page setups and plotting layouts are frequently required when adopting other consultant drawings that are being overlaid with additional information. Template files, page setups and batch plotting are often discussed in Cadline’s Intermediate AutoCAD Courses and Bespoke AutoCAD Workshops. For more details on training courses or other services call one of the team on 01784 419922 or visit www.cadlinetraining.co.uk