AutoCAD® 2011 & AutoCAD LT® 2011 Bible

Chapter 17. Plotting and Printing Your Drawing

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Preparing a drawing for plotting or printing

• Creating and annotating a layout in paper space

• Working with plot styles

• Plotting a drawing

Most drawing jobs are not complete until you see the final result on paper. Traditionally, drawings are plotted on a plotter. However, you can also print a drawing on a regular computer printer. Many printers and plotters can handle a wide range of drawing sizes and paper types. In this chapter, I explain the process of preparing a drawing for plotting, including laying it out in paper space, more properly known as a layout. Finally, I cover the actual process of creating a plot.

Preparing a Drawing for Plotting or Printing

When you complete your drawing, you often have some details to finish. If you didn't start with a titleblock, you may need to insert one. Even if you have a titleblock, you may need to complete some of its annotation, such as the date that you completed the drawing. If the drawing has layers that you don't want to appear on paper, you should set their layer state to Frozen, Off, or Not Plottable.

Many architectural and mechanical drawings show several views of the model. Now is the time to check that the views are pleasingly laid out, with enough space between them for dimensions and annotation. Later in this chapter, I explain how to create viewports that lay out the drawing in various views.

Doing a draft plot

You may want to do a draft plot, either to check the drawing ...