fencing issues

If you not  using sheet  models

Then one way is to draw a rectangle the actual size of a paper size eg if you want A3 then  draw this to A3  if you  work in metres I suggest you draw it 297Mx420M

This then is 1:1000 times scale  for the real world to print to paper @1:1000, now if this is either too big or too small then scale again ...the right mouse button menu  has scale  in it then place it to cover the area I want to print and scales accordingly  to standard  scale numbers, then place fence by block and  just control p choose your paper and it should match perfectly to the scale you choose..

Alternative place a block fence and use visual judgment that  it should be 1:1.4  or 1:1.5  length to width 

then control p and  your  print dialog has your default paper size change to what  you want it and  maximise  now the  autoscale will kick in if you want a  scale closer to standard scales  you just manually enter the scale in the space and as long as the feced area is smaller than the scale  size  chosen it will shrink or expand to fit the scale to that paper, be warned you may either trim or have a lot of wasted margin but it will be true scale to a prefered number like 1:100, 200. 500 etc

Personally  I have a cell for this just a rectangle with concentric rectangles these labelled withall the sheet sizes and are  construction layer elements and also set to non print level.. all have common point left hand bottom corner, took less than 5 mins to build and saves me loads of time and still counting)

then I just place that sheet size diagram cell over the  top and can see what  sheet fits best placed at 1;1000 (default setting in my  F key sets the scale to 1000) but was drawn 1:1 in cell library)

then I can just scale it  or change its properties etc  then place my fence by  element  and pick the sheet size I want  ... later delete the cell or turn it off.. its just for quick plots, also have another cell useful for roll plots  A0 wide and  2m  or 3m long ....saves making a temporary sheet model... sometimes the old school ways can be the quickest and easiest for just  one off plots etc....

Here is another way to approach this.  Place your fence around the area to be plotted.  Activate the Print dialog (see below).  Pick the paper size (my choice is ANSI B) and orientation (portrait/landscape) that best fits what you want to print.  Then hit the "Maximize" button.  When I did this, the scale was 38.9338.  Then change the scale value to the next largest integer number that represents a relevant scale factor (in this case, 40).  A larger scale value results in a smaller plot, meaning it all fits on the page.  So, in my example,  I can print the area in the fence on a B sized sheet at 1"=40'.

Our default sheet borders are created at 1=1, so a B sized border is 11'x17'.  I can attach the border as a reference file and set the scale to 40:1, so the border is set to print at 1"=40'.

Unknown said:

Here is another way to approach this.  Place your fence around the area to be plotted.  Activate the Print dialog (see below).  Pick the paper size (my choice is ANSI B) and orientation (portrait/landscape) that best fits what you want to print.  Then hit the "Maximize" button.  When I did this, the scale was 38.9338.  Then change the scale value to the next largest integer number that represents a relevant scale factor (in this case, 40).  A larger scale value results in a smaller plot, meaning it all fits on the page.  So, in my example,  I can print the area in the fence on a B sized sheet at 1"=40'.

Our default sheet borders are created at 1=1, so a B sized border is 11'x17'.  I can attach the border as a reference file and set the scale to 40:1, so the border is set to print at 1"=40'.

FYI I work 90% in model space so having to select a  fence even if I have a sheet  border placed as a ref and clipped so does not exceed the sheet border is a  pain in the buttweld... I found that there is a variable you can set in your config so it finds the extent of your drawing which in my and probably yours too is the sheet border .. with this variable set then just control p will make mstn draw the  fence  for you and it surrounds your sheet border.. pretty cool or what?

------------------( I use the 2  because my sheet border is a ref file)-----------------------------

If MS_PLT_AUTO_FIT_VIEW is set to '1' or '2', the print dialog automatically sets the print area mode to 'Fence' when first invoked.  A value of '1' constructs a fence that encompasses all the elements in the master file. A value of '2' constructs a fence that encompasses all the elements in the master file and all its references. If an active fence or sheet is defined when the print dialog is invoked, this configuration variable is ignored.

I didn't know about that variable. I use a different approach to accomplish the same thing, more or less. I have function key that uses the keyin "fit view extended;place fence allfiles;selview 1;print;print maximize". This fits the view (not really necessary), places a fence around the border (which is a ref file), then opens the print dialog and maximizes the print to get the correct scale.

Good to learn new things.

Unknown said:

I didn't know about that variable. I use a different approach to accomplish the same thing, more or less. I have function key that uses the keyin "fit view extended;place fence allfiles;selview 1;print;print maximize". This fits the view (not really necessary), places a fence around the border (which is a ref file), then opens the print dialog and maximizes the print to get the correct scale.

Good to learn new things.

Good to see your still using my original function key script I first published around 6 -10 yrs ago here and  control alt delete magazine..

(I later added the  printer.pltcfg, paper size and pen table in the script)

I called it  one shot or one stop print key... ( I used the F12) 

I'm still using it  but I discovered the variable ( Well Adam Lambert  from Cadpro showed me) ... as we enhanced our custom menus for all users  both the  advanced drafters and engineers .. as its easier to standardise the  look of prints and the less experienced dont have to dig around looking for drivers when they have a pull down and select the type of print  ie pdf , sys printer laser A3 , colour , b&W, client specific prints , and roll plotters ...as well just wysiwyg to paper NOW!

Unknown said:

I didn't know about that variable. I use a different approach to accomplish the same thing, more or less. I have function key that uses the keyin "fit view extended;place fence allfiles;selview 1;print;print maximize". This fits the view (not really necessary), places a fence around the border (which is a ref file), then opens the print dialog and maximizes the print to get the correct scale.

Good to learn new things.

Good to see your still using my original function key script I first published around 6 -10 yrs ago here and  control alt delete magazine..

(I later added the  printer.pltcfg, paper size and pen table in the script)

I called it  one shot or one stop print key... ( I used the F12) 

I'm still using it  but I discovered the variable ( Well Adam Lambert  from Cadpro showed me) ... as we enhanced our custom menus for all users  both the  advanced drafters and engineers .. as its easier to standardise the  look of prints and the less experienced dont have to dig around looking for drivers when they have a pull down and select the type of print  ie pdf , sys printer laser A3 , colour , b&W, client specific prints , and roll plotters ...as well just wysiwyg to paper NOW!