For an in-depth look at both engineering and architectural scales, check out this tutorial on CAD Scale Factors by ArchToolbox. Invert the fraction and multiply by 12 to get: 4/1 x 12 = 48įor calculating the scale factor from an engineering drawing scale, only multiply the feet by 12.The simplest way to calculate the scale factor is by using these simple formulas.įor calculating scale factor out of architectural drawing scale: In short, the scale factor is the relationship between our printed units and our drawing units. Hence, we need to understand and implement the scale factors in order to adequately size dimensions, text, blocks and lines. If you are using AutoCAD 2016 or later version then you can also select other PDF plotters with some predefined settings. Select DWG to PDF.pc3 plotter from the list of plotters. When the drawings are printed for production, they’re represented much smaller than the y actually are. To plot a drawing to PDF press CTRL+P on keyboard or type PLOT on the command line and press enter, this will open plot window in AutoCAD. If you can’t resize basic values when you need to, your drawings can’t be as accurate as needed.Ĭalculating a scale factor in CAD is, thus, a simple, but important task. The latter two elements are what can make or break your drawing. When working in AutoCAD, you’re not only working with objects and drawings, you’re also working with dimensions and measurements. Part 7 of 13 in our How To Use AutoCAD series
