print combinations of layers and scales as different pages

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turtle
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print combinations of layers and scales as different pages

Post by turtle » Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:43 pm

Greetings all I am still very much a beginner at this so please bear with me.
Reading this:
https://qcad.org/en/tutorial-working-wi ... #Viewports
and my excellent Qcad book which I highly recommend, however I need some guidance here.
My job (thus the goal) is to quickly take a set of 2D plans or create a very basic 2D plan and layout electrical power, lighting, communications and mechanical work for field crews.
I either import or create these layouts, each as its own as layer.
Then I one by one export to PDF the layers I need with the other layers switched off.
I know there is a better way. I poked around under preferences and got 3 or 4 different 'viweports' but thats not what I need.
I am fine with editing the whole thing in 1:1 model space but would like to print combinations of layers and scales as different pages.

My questions:
  • whats the best way to do this?
  • How do I define a view? (like the orange dashed line in the above tutorial) I added a view and can now see V2 and V1 on my drawing (attached), however cant figure out how put anything in V1.
  • Can I even use view's to create a different paper space scale for a detail of particular room or building?
  • Can I print a combination of layers as different pages at different scales?
In the attached drawing I would like to print out 6 pages of this each page containing layer 0 and 01 and some combination of the other layers and scales.
Sample attached
(I stripped the drawing down so the detail layers are present but empty)
Many thanks
Attachments
howDoIAddView.dxf
How to I edit the view ?
(162.11 KiB) Downloaded 370 times
Comments based on Version: 3.26.2 unless otherwise noted.

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Husky
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Re: print combinations of layers and scales as different pages

Post by Husky » Tue Mar 03, 2020 12:39 am

turtle wrote:
Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:43 pm
My questions:
  • whats the best way to do this?
I don't know yet - properly we figure it out together .... :shock:
turtle wrote:
Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:43 pm
[*]How do I define a view? (like the orange dashed line in the above tutorial) I added a view and can now see V2 and V1 on my drawing (attached), however cant figure out how put anything in V1.
I don't know what V1 or V2 means ...
Howsoever:
Create first a layer for the Viewports - just to keep it neat. Attributes for linetyp, color etc. doesn't matter. Orange / dash is used in the link to the example you mentioned ...
Now you can create in Model_Space a rectangular Viewport of the Kitchen:
Menu / Draw / Viewport / Add Viewport ...
chose in the option bar a scale of 1:20, rotation 0, then draw the rectangle around the Kitchen,
after finishing the rectangle QCAD will jump to the Paper_Space where you can place the Viewport. Please make sure that the scales are correct in the option bar:
Scale 1 is for the physical paper. 1" = 1" or 1:1 in this example is correct.
Scale 2 is for the Viewport. You chose a scale at 1:20

Husky-2020.03.02-02.png
Husky-2020.03.02-02.png (24.9 KiB) Viewed 5573 times

turtle wrote:
Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:43 pm
[*]Can I even use view's to create a different paper space scale for a detail of particular room or building?
Yes.
turtle wrote:
Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:43 pm
[*]Can I print a combination of layers as different pages at different scales?[/list]
Yes.

This topic is a bit more complex - before we talk about the next steps let us know how it works with your kitchen viewport ...
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turtle
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Re: print combinations of layers and scales as different pages

Post by turtle » Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:27 am

Hi thank you so much for your help. I was able to add viewports!
I added a layer 9999-viewports and added two.
RE V1 and V2; they are 'views' I had added under the View List (GV) I thought they were viewports?

However Now I cant find the viewports I just made to work in them
and print preview does not show them.
I would like to print combinations of layers and scales as different pages.
I would like the viewports each to be a 11X17 sheet when I select print preview but no success there.
What can I do next?
Many thanks in advance!
Attachments
howDoIAddView-t1.dxf
(165.55 KiB) Downloaded 337 times
Comments based on Version: 3.26.2 unless otherwise noted.

turtle
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Re: print combinations of layers and scales as different pages

Post by turtle » Mon Apr 20, 2020 1:26 am

Update well I am making progress, I leafed thru the qcad book some more and did not find anything on viewports.
I had to go to drawing preferences and MultiPages -> Columns 1 Rows 3
I had to go to print preview first so i could see where I am pasting the viewport on the page.
Then I did as you said draw->viewport->addviewport
Then I had to select the + Free 'SF' tool to paste the viewport on the page.
So now I made two and can see them immediately after.
HowDoIPrintViewports1.png
GotViewport
HowDoIPrintViewports1.png (43.06 KiB) Viewed 5328 times
However when I go back to the main drawing.
Edit something then go back to print preview the viewports are gone.
HowDoIPrintViewports2.png
After
HowDoIPrintViewports2.png (63.23 KiB) Viewed 5328 times
Is this expected? a Bug?
Please advise.
Attachments
howDoIAddView-t1.dxf
(175.41 KiB) Downloaded 336 times
Comments based on Version: 3.26.2 unless otherwise noted.

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Husky
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Re: print combinations of layers and scales as different pages

Post by Husky » Mon Apr 20, 2020 2:57 am

Please wait a bit! .... I think this needs more explanation.

Before I go a bit deeper into the details let me ask you:
Is the "Block List" Widget visible? If not please launch it below Menu / View / Block List.
Dock it on your GUI where ever it suits your needs best.

Now you can see in the Block List a Layout Block named "Layout1 (Paper_Space).
In this Block are your Viewports stored.

To edit and print you have just to select that block Layout1 and click of the icon in the Block List "Edit contents of selected block". Same happens with the shortcut BE.

Now you are in an edit mode and you will see the placed Viewports. The print options are automatically launched too. That is all what you need for printing - you don't need to launch the "Print Previews" separately!

To leave the edit mode click on the [X] in the icon bar or double click on the Model_Space block.

When you are with me - give me a honk. :wink:
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turtle
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Re: print combinations of layers and scales as different pages

Post by turtle » Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:48 am

Ahh that makes sense now thanks Husky!
Got it, model_space and paper_space.
I was looking at the 'View List' GV everywhere but there.
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Husky
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Re: print combinations of layers and scales as different pages

Post by Husky » Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:35 am

Great news!

Ok, now I have a logical, mathematical question for you and I'm pretty sure you will hate me for that ... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Your example drawing has a Viewport which is called "ViewPort 1, Kitchen Lighting, Scale 1/2" = 1FT" but the scale shown in the Property Editor tells me it is 1"=1".

Additional your print scale for the Paper_Space is set to 1:20.

My question is: What is then the final scale on paper? And will the expected scale match with a physical taken measurement?
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turtle
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Re: print combinations of layers and scales as different pages

Post by turtle » Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:53 pm

Husky wrote:
Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:35 am
Great news!

Ok, now I have a logical, mathematical question for you and I'm pretty sure you will hate me for that ... :lol: :lol: :lol:
Never thats my job, electrical calculations. e_geek
As long as I don't need to do arithmetic without a calculator were good. :oops:
Husky wrote:
Mon Apr 20, 2020 4:35 am
Your example drawing has a Viewport which is called "ViewPort 1, Kitchen Lighting, Scale 1/2" = 1FT" but the scale shown in the Property Editor tells me it is 1"=1".
Additional your print scale for the Paper_Space is set to 1:20.
My question is: What is then the final scale on paper? And will the expected scale match with a physical taken measurement?
Well my intention was for each viewport to be a a 11X17 sheet and my paper_space should be 1/4" = 1FT so I think that should be 1:48. Not sure how I got 1:20 sometimes my scroll wheel on the mouse starts moving drop-down menus on me that I did not intend.
The for the viewports I would like to make a zoomed in scale, like for ViewPort 1, Kitchen Lighting, Scale 1/2" = 1FT.
So I'll reset Paper_Space to 1/4 IN = 1 FT.
Ideally yes physical taken measurement would work, I should be providing that.
The times I have done it in the field I realised the printer did not get the sacle right so i would have to mess around with the large format printer, which I don't have easy access to (yet).
And field workers that read the plans don't often do that, perhaps never do that, as I provide lots of dimensions for them.
But in theory yes.
Thanks for your continued help!
Comments based on Version: 3.26.2 unless otherwise noted.

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Husky
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Re: print combinations of layers and scales as different pages

Post by Husky » Mon Apr 20, 2020 9:26 pm

turtle wrote:
Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:53 pm
As long as I don't need to do arithmetic without a calculator were good. :oops:
Ok, we are on the same track. :wink:
turtle wrote:
Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:53 pm
So I'll reset Paper_Space to 1/4 IN = 1 FT.
Nope. e_surprised
Logically it has to be 1:1. Try to think about it this way: If you scale the Viewports there is no need to scale also the Paper_Space sheet. If you would do that you will deal with a scaled view on a scaled piece of paper. Yes, it can work but it's a recipe for disaster ...
turtle wrote:
Mon Apr 20, 2020 3:53 pm
Ideally yes physical taken measurement would work, I should be providing that.
If you put an annotation on a view with a scale statement then everybody has to "trust" your statement. If he/she needs to use an Architect Scale Ruler in the field for additional info then the reading has to be trustworthy ...



This said I recommend a little make over on that drawing to get it lined up in an easy and proper working fashion. You are already very close to the finish line! :wink:
To see if you agree with my suggestion or not work on a copy of this drawing.
1. delete all Viewports,
2. open the Paper_Space (Edit mode), set the Paper size to ANSI B (Ledger, Tabloid), Chose how many Sheets you need (3?), set the scale for the print to 1:1.

Husky-2020.04.20-02.png
Husky-2020.04.20-02.png (116.34 KiB) Viewed 5282 times
3. go back to Model_Space
4. create new Viewports (Menu / Draw / Viewport
5. chose a scale for the Viewport (maybe 3/4" = 1') what would be 1/16 and place it on the Paper_Space.
Note the option bar during this task shows two scales:

Husky-2020.04.20-05.png
Husky-2020.04.20-05.png (22.15 KiB) Viewed 5282 times

#1 (on the left side is for the Paper_Space. Keep it always to 1:1.
#2 is for the actual Viewport - adjust it to what ever you need.
6. repeat for every additional needed Viewport.
7. if you are ready to print - print directly out of the edit mode for the Paper_Space. Click on icon "Print" ... :wink:
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."

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