You can modify the plot area in AutoCAD by accessing the Page Setup Manager from the Output tab, where you can select and modify existing page setups to define your desired plot settings and the specific portion of your drawing to be printed.
Modifying the Plot Area and Page Setup
Changing the "area" in AutoCAD often refers to adjusting the plot area, which is the specific part of your drawing that gets printed onto a sheet of paper. This is controlled through Page Setups within your drawing's layouts.
Step-by-Step Guide to Changing Plot Area
Follow these steps to define or modify the plot area for a layout:
- Select the Layout Tab: Begin by clicking the specific layout tab (e.g., Layout1, Layout2) for which you want to set the plot area and adjust the display to show the section of your drawing you intend to plot.
- Access Page Setup Manager: Navigate to the Ribbon and click on the Output tab. In the Plot panel, click on Page Setup Manager.
- Select and Modify a Page Setup:
- In the Page Setup Manager dialog box, locate the Page Setups area.
- Select the existing page setup that you want to modify from the list.
- Click the Modify button.
- Configure Plot Settings: The Page Setup dialog box will appear, offering numerous options to define your plot:
- Printer/Plotter: Choose the output device (e.g., your physical printer, a PDF plotter).
- Paper size: Select the desired paper dimensions (e.g., A4, Letter, Arch D).
- Plot Area: This is where you define what gets plotted. Common options include:
- Layout: Plots everything within the current layout's printable area.
- Extents: Plots all objects in the drawing.
- Display: Plots whatever is currently visible on your screen.
- Window: Allows you to specify a custom rectangular area by picking two points in your layout. This is ideal for plotting a very specific part of your drawing.
- Plot Offset: Adjusts the origin point of your plot on the paper. You can center the plot or specify exact coordinates.
- Plot Scale: Sets the relationship between drawing units and paper units (e.g., 1:1, 1:100, 1/4" = 1'-0", or "Fit to paper").
- Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments): Controls how colors, line weights, and line types appear when plotted (e.g.,
monochrome.ctbfor black and white output). - Drawing Orientation: Choose between Portrait or Landscape.
- Apply Changes: Click OK to save your modifications to the page setup, then click Close in the Page Setup Manager.
Practical Tip: Instead of constantly modifying an existing page setup, consider creating new page setups for different plotting requirements (e.g., "A3 PDF Color," "A1 Print B&W"). This provides greater flexibility and consistency. Learn more about creating page setups on the Autodesk Knowledge Network.
Understanding "Area" in Other AutoCAD Contexts
While the primary interpretation of "changing area" in AutoCAD often relates to plotting, the term can also refer to other functionalities:
Calculating the Area of Objects
If you need to measure the area of a specific object or a defined region in your drawing, you can use the AREA command.
- How to use:
- Type
AREAat the command prompt and press Enter. - You will have options:
- Type
O(for Object) and select an object (e.g., a polyline, circle, spline). AutoCAD will display its area and perimeter. - Click a sequence of points to define a polygon whose area you want to calculate.
- Type
- The calculated area (and perimeter) will appear on the command line and often in a tooltip.
- Type
Changing Drawing Units and Scale
The term "area" might also indirectly relate to the measurement units or the drawing scale:
- Drawing Units: The primary units of your drawing affect how area values are calculated and displayed. You can change your drawing units (e.g., millimeters, inches, feet) using the
UNITScommand. This will alter the numerical value of areas, but not the geometric size of objects. - Scale: While you set the plot scale in the Page Setup dialog, the scale of objects within Model Space is usually 1:1. Plotting at a specific scale determines how large your drawing appears on paper, but it does not change the actual dimensions or calculated area of objects in your model.
Common Plot Area Settings Explained
Understanding these settings is key to successful plotting:
| Setting | Description | Common Options |
|---|---|---|
| Plot Area | Defines the specific portion of the drawing to be rendered on the paper. | Layout, Extents, Display, Window |
| Paper Size | The physical dimensions of the paper sheet on which the drawing will be printed. | ANSI A (Letter), ISO A4, Arch D, Custom sizes |
| Plot Scale | Determines the ratio between drawing units (e.g., feet, meters) and paper units (e.g., inches, millimeters). | 1:1, 1:100, 1/8" = 1'-0", Fit to paper (scales drawing to fill paper's printable area) |
| Orientation | Specifies whether the drawing is positioned vertically or horizontally on the paper. | Portrait, Landscape |
| Plot Style | Controls the visual properties (line weight, color, linetype) of objects when plotted. | monochrome.ctb (black & white), acad.ctb (color), Custom .ctb or .stb files |
Practical Insights for Plotting
- Utilize Layouts: Always use Layouts (Paper Space) for plotting your final drawings. Model Space is for drafting, while Layouts provide a controlled environment for setting up specific print sheets, titles, and plot scales.
- Plot Styles for Consistency: Use Plot Style Tables (
.ctbor.stbfiles) to ensure consistent line weights, colors, and other visual properties across all your plots. This maintains professional drawing standards. - Plot Preview is Your Friend: Always use the Plot Preview option before sending your drawing to a printer. This allows you to catch any errors in plot area, scale, or appearance before wasting paper and ink. You can find the Plot Preview button in the Plot dialog box.
- Publish Command for Multiple Sheets: For projects with many layouts, the
PUBLISHcommand (or "Batch Plot") allows you to print multiple drawings or layouts simultaneously, often to a multi-page PDF.
For more detailed information on plotting and publishing in AutoCAD, refer to the Autodesk AutoCAD Help documentation.
