How to print your BricsCAD drawing to the correct scale?
Short Answer
To print your BricsCAD drawing to the correct scale, use PLOT from a layout and set a precise Plot scale such as 1:100 or 1/4″ = 1′-0″. This is the fastest and most common professional method because the viewport controls model scale reliably. Limitation: printing from Model space is easier to mis-scale.
What You Need to Know Before
Warning: If your drawing was created in the wrong units or your viewport is not locked, the printed scale can be wrong even when the plot dialog shows the correct ratio. A very common failure is plotting a layout viewport that was accidentally zoomed after being scaled.
How-to
Command: PLOT
Shortcut: Ctrl+P
Quick Steps:
- Go to a Layout tab, then press Ctrl+P or use Ribbon > Output > Plot.
- In the Plot dialog, choose your printer/plotter, paper size, and set What to plot to Layout.
- Under Plot scale, keep Scale lineweights as needed, use 1:1 for the layout, and make sure the viewport itself was already set to the required scale and preferably locked.
Variables & Settings
Key Setting: Display Locked in the viewport properties
Expert Setting: Lock the layout viewport after setting its viewport scale. This prevents accidental zoom changes that silently break the printed scale while the plot settings still look correct.
Why it Fails
Cause 1 (Geometry): The model was drawn at the wrong size or in mixed units, so a correct plot scale still produces the wrong physical output.
Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The viewport is unlocked, and someone zoomed or panned inside it, changing the viewport scale without noticing.
Cause 3 (Command/Logic): The user plots from Model space with Fit to paper or a custom scale instead of plotting a Layout at 1:1 with a scaled viewport.
Quick Fix & Best Practice
- Quick Fix: Use PLOT from a Layout, set What to plot = Layout, confirm the layout plots at 1:1, and lock the viewport after setting the required viewport scale.
- Manager’s Verdict: For production sheets, always plot from Layouts, not Model space. Use Model space plotting only for quick checks or simple one-off output.
FAQ
Can I print to scale directly from Model space?
Yes, but it is less reliable than plotting from a Layout with a scaled viewport.
Why is my 1:100 plot still printing wrong?
Your model units may be wrong, or the viewport scale may have changed before plotting.
Should the layout plot scale be 1:1?
Yes, in standard sheet workflows the layout should plot at 1:1, while the viewport carries the drawing scale.
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