Printing and margins

[Morglisn]

I know this may be a completely ridiculous question.. but is there any way to set the margins on a SW drawing? My prints (we only use 8.5x11) always must be scaled down to a little over 3/4 of the paper, or it won't print. Obviously, my margins are screwy, but it does the same thing no matter whether I specify document settings or system settings.

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[TheTick]

I have had similar problems trying to plot to HP plotters. The plotter SHOULD allow the drawing to fit within margins, but SW decides that it shouldn't and cuts off the plot areas outside the margins.

The way we deal with it so far is to use oversize paper sizes when we print. Architectural sizes work well for this. If a plot is ANSI "C", we use "ARCH C". On the HP plotters, architectural sizes can be found by selecting the checkbox that is found under "more sizes". Gravity is a harsh mistress.

 

[Adrian2]

Dear Morglisn;

I have had a similiar problem with SW2003 in XP pro. Do you use metric dimensioning like I do? It seems SW tries to print to Metric border A4 instead of 8.5x11 letter size. A4 is slightly larger than letter size. Does the problem occur with both metric and imperial drawings ?

Even though I have 8.5x11 set in the plot dialog boxes I have seen the plot shown as A4 in the print queue.

I suggest you try plotting something and noting what everything is set for, In SW, the printer queue and your printer settings.

Best Regards

Adrian D

 

[Morglisn]

Thanks for all your answers, guys. Nothing has worked so far, but I'll keep pecking along at it.

 

[SBaugh]

Have you tried a new or different driver for your printer? Scott Baugh, CSWP
3DVision Technologies

http://www.3dvisiontech.com

http://www.3dmca.com

faq731-376
When in doubt, always check the help

 

[Morglisn]

Yes, I have. I have the updated driver, and I've also deleted the printer, and re-installed the old driver, just to be sure.

 

[DetroitPickles]

Morglisn,

What printer is it? And what print margins do you have to use to get it printed?

Mr. Pickles

 

[Morglisn]

That's the problem, I can't figure out how to set the margins in SW. For the record, it's an HP deskjet 940C.

Thanks for any help.

 

[TheTick]

Margin control is under the print menu. Go to "File --> Print", and there is a button for margins. I have found this to be less than reliable, though. Gravity is a harsh mistress.

 

[Morglisn]

I see what you mean about unreliable. I tried it, but if I push the margins outward, it just leaves that portion of the page blank. It's as if SW thinks my paper is 6.5" x 9" instead of 8.5" x 11".

 

[DetroitPickles]

Does M$ Word or Excel print way out towards the edge? If not, then look in the Printer Properties from the Control Panel (whcih I'm sure you have done).

If Word or Excel prints right, then it is SW for sure. I'll have to try when I get home on my InkJet to see...

Mr. Pickles

 

[Morglisn]

Yah, it prints great in Excel and Word. I'm still playing with it, too. If I find anything out, I'll let you know.

Thanks!

 

[DetroitPickles]

Morglisn,

Call Vic Levantahl (SW Vet now working on the Dassault side) and tell him to buy you a different printer, because you can't print with this software.

Tell him I said it was okay...

Mr. Pickles

 

[macPT]

I think the problem is more on the plotters and less on the software. Although we have an A4 or whatever sheet in the plotter, the cartrige and the rollers are unable to go to every point on the surface of the sheet. So the drawing gets croped. This is the same for ACAD or SW.

To avoid this we use:
____________________________
|printing size|actual sheet|
----------------------------
| A4 | A3 |
----------------------------
| A3 | 450x300mm |
----------------------------
| A2 | 640x450mm |
----------------------------

These special sized sheets for A3 and A2 are made for us only, by our supplier. They work well with ACAD and SW.

After printing, we cut the extra paper, to the correct size, in a cutting machine.

Regards