Margins in AutoCAD

[Willallison]

When no plotter is specified, how do you go about altering the margins (printable area) in a layout tab?
For instance, if one selects an A1 sheet ( 841mm x 594mm ) it has a default printable area of 826 x 554 mm. How would I get a border of 12mm all around ( which would be 817 x 570 mm)?

[RThompson]

To adjust paper settings/printer calibration in ACAD 2000:

I don't think you can adjust paper/printable area sizes without first selecting a printer - like servicing a car without first selecting which car to work on.

Go to:
(menu bar) File/Page Set up/Plot Device tab (not Plot Settings)

make sure the plotter/printer you want to use is selected, then go to:
Properties/Device and Document Settings tab (there are three tabs).

Under "Device and Doc. Settings" there is a browser tree. One of the headings is: "User-defined Paper Sizes and Calibration".

Then select what you want to do and follow the wizard.

to do the same thing from the layout tab you can right click on the tab title itself, select Page Set-up, or Plot. you should now be at the "plot device tab" stage, go to "properties" etc etc.

Rob

[Willallison]

hmm.... how then do you ensure that the margins you've allowed are big enough, if you don't know what sort of printer you're sending to - like when you're sending the drawing to someone else...?

[Raggi_Thor]

There is often a problem that AutoCAD wants larger margins than you want...
Try setting the margins to zero (0mm), use the "Plot extents" and check the option "Center the plot". This will allways work if you have frame that match the paper size.

If you are sending drawings to others for plotting, try sending a dwf instead of the dwg. Then you know that the plot looks the way you want it. If you send the dwg, you'll have to include the pen table also.