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How can I print an A2-size design at exactly 1:1 "life size", using 2 sheets of A3 paper?

john_smith077john_smith077 Member Posts: 175 ✭✭✭
Hello

I need to print a drawing of my OnShape designs at a scale of exactly "1:1"  / "life size".

I have an A3 printer (an Espon WorkForce WF-7840 inkjet printer). However my design is too large to fit onto a single sheet of A3 paper, and would require TWO sheets of A3 paper to print it.
i.e. The design is A2 in size and I need to print it using two A3 sheets of paper.

Do you have any hints or tips about how to acheive this?

J

Comments

  • john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,930 PRO
    Honestly.

    I would export to DXF/DWG then use autoCAD window plot
  • john_smith077john_smith077 Member Posts: 175 ✭✭✭
    Honestly.

    I would export to DXF/DWG then use autoCAD window plot
    Can you say more - Is "autoCAD window plot" a free utility?
    Or are you saying I need to install full-blown AutoCAD (which costs £1,986/paid annually)
    I have near zero budget for this.

    J

  • john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,930 PRO
    There are free autocad clones

    NanoCad is a good one. 
  • john_smith077john_smith077 Member Posts: 175 ✭✭✭
    There are free autocad clones

    NanoCad is a good one. 
    OK thanks. So to get clear, you are suggesting:
    1. Export into DXF or DWG, then
    2. import into NanoCad... and then
    3. There is some way of plotting the current window onto multiple sheets of paper on any printer at 1:1 size, yes?


  • john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,930 PRO
    There is no import to nanocad, it will open the dwg natively.

    Yea, then you make sure i'ts full scale
    Draw some rectangles over ther part that are A3 in size
    hit ctrl+p to plot. Use window select and use each of the A3 squares for each sheet. 

    Really only talking a few seconds of work. 

    But noboy makes that task easier than that. 

    There will be some work arounds in Onshape, but not really worth the effort
  • john_smith077john_smith077 Member Posts: 175 ✭✭✭
    Sounds promising. I shall have a go probably tomorrow. Many thanks.
  • john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,930 PRO
    Np, let me know if you need anything, i can make a step by step video if you want
  • wayne_sauderwayne_sauder Member, csevp Posts: 546 PRO
  • EvanAReeseEvanAReese Member, Mentor Posts: 2,077 1337
    This is what I do.
    Evan Reese / Principal and Industrial Designer with Ovyl
    Website: ovyl.io
  • john_smith077john_smith077 Member Posts: 175 ✭✭✭
    There is no import to nanocad, it will open the dwg natively.

    Yea, then you make sure i'ts full scale
    Draw some rectangles over ther part that are A3 in size
    hit ctrl+p to plot. Use window select and use each of the A3 squares for each sheet. 

    Really only talking a few seconds of work. 

    But noboy makes that task easier than that. 

    There will be some work arounds in Onshape, but not really worth the effort
    This is a nightmare.

    I can't get NanoCAD to accept my printer (EPSON WF-7840) - it keeps trying to get my printer to "Fax" rather than print!

    Any other suggestions?  There as to be an easier way!










  • john_mcclaryjohn_mcclary Member, Developers Posts: 3,930 PRO
    The link @Evan_Reese posted actually looks promising.

    But as far as your printing issue, you may have the wrong driver installed?
    or the port is set up wrong?


  • john_smith077john_smith077 Member Posts: 175 ✭✭✭
    The link @Evan_Reese posted actually looks promising.

    But as far as your printing issue, you may have the wrong driver installed?
    or the port is set up wrong?


    Maybe but doubtful because I completely re-installed the driver for my Espon printer a couple of months ago. And it works just fine for all of my other applications. 

    J

  • john_smith077john_smith077 Member Posts: 175 ✭✭✭
    In desperation I am now trying to export my drawing to PDF format. But I still can't work out how to print at "life size" across multiple pages... :(
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