13 replies to this topic

[Doug Stephenson]

Good morning all.

 

I have a quick question. A new client has been working with an interior designer on a home she is going to build, and I am going to create the working drawings for construction. She sent me what has been designed at this time as a DWG file. Import worked fine, but when I looked at the drawings sent they were tiny. There were seven individual drawings on the page. When I tried to print (fit drawing to page, 8x11) the print was only the size of a quarter. All drawings together. I remember in past SoftPlan versions there use to be an expandable box that set the print area. Can't seem to find it. This is the first time I have attempted this process. Any ideas?

 

Doug Stephenson

Maplecrest Builders Inc.

[Anthony Wielemaker]

Can you post a pic of the print dialogue box, sounds like if your print scale was set to print to fit there is a line or object way off in the corner that is trying to print along with the rest of it.

[Steve and Carla Farnam]

Doug,

 

Open New Drawing, On Drawing with imported drawings>Go to Edit>Copy to Softplan Clip Board> Draw expanding around the drawing you want to print,

Go to new drawing> Edit>paste from Softplan Clipboard>Pick Position and locate drawing on new drawing. Add the drawing to Plan Set> desired page size

and plan will print full size on the page size chosen, ie; 11x17 etc

[Keith Almond]

Do all the parts dimension correctly? You may need to use EDIT > ADJUST SIZE to correct any discrepancies.

 

Printing from PLAN SETS doesn't have the expanding box, but using a standard print dialogue box FILE > PRINT > PRINT will allow you to position the print window. NOTE: In 2016 you can ZOOM the drawing with the print position box active.

[Thomas Davis]

Sounds like the scale of the imported drawings is not correct.

Many times when I import DWG files, I have to scale them up by a 12.0 factor, because in AutoCAD, they draw 1" to 1", but in SoftPlan, we draw 1/4" to 1'

 

In any event, you should still be able to "position" your print window around any drawing you want to print.

If when using this method you only see small drawings on the page, then your "workspace" is set too large.

This also happens when importing DWG files. Just adjust your workspace smaller and you should be able to "position" the print window around an individual drawing.

[Keith Almond]

Tommy ... As above. NOTE: In 2016 you can ZOOM the drawing with the print position box active.

[Doug Stephenson]

First, I want to thank all for helping me with my question.

I tried to attach the drawing but at the bottom of this page is says "You are not allowed to upload this kind of file."

Hmmm. Next, my print position window button is not active. In other words the lettering is shaded, not black.

Maybe I have not activated something in system options. Have looked everywhere I know.

Please be patient with me because since I am a one person show. I create working drawings for clients but don't use

SoftPlan to it's full potential

 

[Steve and Carla Farnam]

Doug,

 

Try unchecking the Fit drawing to page and Center drawing on page buttons.

The print position should then become active. You will be able to set the window

in portrait or landscape. Check your scale setting 

[Sam Morgan]

What version of Softplan and what version of Windows are you using?  I seem to remember a while back that the print window function got screwed up on an older version of windows when "service pack 2" was downloaded for windows.  This is many years ago so If you're on an old version of windows, maybe this could be the issue?

[Keith Almond]

Yes, I remember it well ... it was Service Pack 3 for Windows XP and it broke the Print functions for Softplan either 10 or 12 (I was wrong, I can't remember it as well as I thought I could) ... When I complained to Microsoft, their response was "Buy an update for your CAD program". Personally that wasn't an option for me!

[Doug Stephenson]

Steve and Carla your suggestion of unchecking did activate the position button, but when I try to use it, the pointer can't be seen so I can't use it as a zoom box to set print area. Use to be able to print only what I wanted in a drawing with the zoom box.

Keith and Sam, I have V2016, windows 8.1.

[Sam Morgan]

Here's another thought.  Try Zoom---> Extents.  See whats showing on the screen.  If your drawing is really small vs filling up the screen, you've got some small item far away from your drawing that is screwing things up.  I've had that a few times....use Erase--->Block Erase and draw a box around all the sides of your drawing to leave just the drawing in place.  That could help solve what you're dealing with.

[Anthony Wielemaker]

Hey Doug I get the same problem when my print scale is way off, try playing with the custom scale until you get a box (size of the paper) you can see, use custom and go from .001 to 1000 in increments *10 .001, .01, .1, 1, 10, 100, 1000 you can use your right click while your cursor has disappeared to get the dialogue box back and change the print scale.  As Keith says once you see a paper outline you can zoom in with the scroll to position it. 

[Doug Stephenson]

Everyone has been so kind in helping me with this issue. Thanks all! It has been recommended I take this on to support. It's refreshing knowing that all forum members want to help each other.

 

Doug Stephenson

Maplecrest Builders Inc.

mplcrst@aol.com