How to Print to Scale in AutoCAD: Step-by-Step Guide

To print to scale in AutoCAD, set up a Layout with a viewport, then adjust the viewport scale to your desired ratio (like 1:100). Finally, use the Plot command and ensure the plot scale matches your viewport scale for accurate printing.

Syntax

Printing to scale in AutoCAD involves these main steps:

• Create a Layout: Switch from Model space to a Layout tab.
• Insert a Viewport: Use the MV command to create a viewport showing your drawing.
• Set Viewport Scale: Select the viewport and choose a standard scale (e.g., 1:50, 1:100) from the scale list.
• Plot Settings: Open the Plot dialog, select your printer/plotter, paper size, and confirm the plot scale matches the viewport scale.

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1. Switch to Layout tab
2. Command: MV (Make Viewport)
3. Draw viewport rectangle
4. Select viewport border
5. Properties > Standard Scale: 1:100
6. Command: PLOT
7. Choose printer, paper size
8. Set Plot Scale to 1:100
9. Click OK to print

Example

This example shows how to print a floor plan at 1:100 scale:

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1. Open your drawing in AutoCAD.
2. Click on the Layout tab at the bottom.
3. Type <code>MV</code> and press Enter to create a viewport.
4. Draw a rectangle where you want the viewport.
5. Click the viewport border, open Properties, set Standard Scale to 1:100.
6. Type <code>PLOT</code> and press Enter.
7. Select your printer and paper size (e.g., A3).
8. Under Plot Scale, set scale to 1:100 and check 'Scale lineweights'.
9. Preview the plot to confirm the scale.
10. Click OK to print.

Output

A printed sheet showing the floor plan scaled down so 1 unit on paper equals 100 units in the drawing.

Common Pitfalls

• Not using Layout space: Printing directly from Model space often ignores scale settings.
• Viewport scale mismatch: If viewport scale and plot scale differ, the print will be incorrect.
• Paper size mismatch: Choosing a paper size too small or too large can distort the print.
• Plot scale set to 'Fit to Paper': This overrides your scale and prints without scale.

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Wrong way:
- Plot from Model space
- Plot scale: Fit to Paper

Right way:
- Use Layout with viewport
- Set viewport scale to 1:100
- Plot scale to 1:100

Quick Reference

Step	Action	Tip
1	Switch to Layout tab	Layouts control print scale better than Model space
2	Create viewport (MV command)	Draw viewport to frame your drawing area
3	Set viewport scale	Use standard scales like 1:50, 1:100 for clarity
4	Open Plot dialog	Check printer and paper size match your needs
5	Set Plot scale same as viewport	Avoid 'Fit to Paper' for accurate scale
6	Preview before printing	Always confirm scale visually before printing

Key Takeaways

Always print from a Layout tab using a viewport to control scale.

Set the viewport scale and plot scale to the same ratio for accurate prints.

Avoid printing directly from Model space to maintain scale control.

Choose the correct paper size to fit your drawing at the desired scale.

Preview your plot before printing to ensure the scale is correct.