(SOLVED)2 identical drawings of different scales

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Graham
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(SOLVED)2 identical drawings of different scales

Post by Graham » Thu Mar 24, 2022 6:37 pm

Is it possible to open both and changes to either are reflected in the other at the correct scale.

Or do I have to open make the mods change the scale on the open one and save it as the other THEN DO VICE VERSA to finish up with two identical drawing but with different scales.

I sometimes confuse myself!!!

Graham
Last edited by Graham on Sat Mar 26, 2022 11:19 am, edited 1 time in total.

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andrew
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Re: 2 identical drawings of different scales

Post by andrew » Thu Mar 24, 2022 7:41 pm

My recommendation would be to only create one drawing at scale 1:1 (real life scale).

You can then create two layout blocks with viewports at different scales:
https://www.qcad.org/en/tutorial-workin ... -viewports

Your main drawing should always be in real size.

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Husky
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Re: 2 IDENTICAL DRAWINGS OF DIFFERENT SCALES

Post by Husky » Thu Mar 24, 2022 7:45 pm

Graham wrote:
Thu Mar 24, 2022 6:37 pm
I sometimes confuse myself!!!
If you are trying to confuse us too then you are on the right track ... :lol: :lol: :lol:

Scale? We are talking about the print scale? Two identical drawings? Why do you need two identical drawings for two different scales ...?

Whats about 1 drawing, two layout blocks, on each layout block place a Viewport in the particular scale - done.

https://qcad.org/en/tutorial-working-wi ... -viewports

Edit: As always - Andrew was faster ... :wink:
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Graham
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Re: 2 identical drawings of different scales

Post by Graham » Fri Mar 25, 2022 12:44 pm

HOW I GOT TO THIS STAGE OF AFFAIRS
I am a retired and now a model making engineer.
I have scanned 10 drawings in A4 sections making 180 pieces.
The 180 scans were imported into QCAD and realigned up to make the original 10 drawings.
They were then all rescaled to actual inch dimensions shown on the drawings.
They could all then be retraced to the actual dimensions shown on the drawings and any errors rectified.(they are old drawings)

Now I had all the drawings on my computer but they were drawn at 2 inch per foot.
I wanted 1.5 inch per foot so there was a second rescale and
save as
with a new name.
The scaling was undone and the drawing saved to its original name.
That Is how I finished up with two identical drawings except for scale and the reason for my question.

Viewport seems to be about printing unless I am mistaken and several changes have occurred that is making keeping them both the same
difficult.
Hence the original question.
Graham

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andrew
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Re: 2 identical drawings of different scales

Post by andrew » Fri Mar 25, 2022 12:50 pm

If I understand that situation correctly, you have two different drawings at two different scales and you somehow want to keep them in sync automatically. I'm afraid there is no way of doing this.

Have you considered keeping both scales of the drawing in one drawing file? This way you could work with blocks (create blocks for your pieces and insert them at different scales).

Graham
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Re: 2 identical drawings of different scales

Post by Graham » Fri Mar 25, 2022 1:15 pm

Andrew
You are correct in your assumptions they should be the same except for scale.
I will experiment more with viewports.

Could I change one and save it.
Reopen it change the scale, use save as to the other then close it and discard the changes.
Graham

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Husky
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Re: 2 identical drawings of different scales

Post by Husky » Fri Mar 25, 2022 7:03 pm

@Graham
Graham wrote:
Fri Mar 25, 2022 12:44 pm
They were then all rescaled to actual inch dimensions shown on the drawings.
They could all then be retraced to the actual dimensions shown on the drawings and any errors rectified ...
Ok, that sounds good to me. Common praxis in CAD is to draw everything in 1:1.
Graham wrote:
Fri Mar 25, 2022 12:44 pm
Now I had all the drawings on my computer but they were drawn at 2 inch per foot.
I wanted 1.5 inch per foot so there was a second rescale and ...
This is what I still don't understand. Why was the 1"=1" drawing suddenly in 2" = 1'? That doesn't happens per accident!

Did you scale the drawing for Printing purposes? I wouldn't do that ...
Graham wrote:
Fri Mar 25, 2022 1:15 pm
I will experiment more with viewports.
I recommend to create a test case. Take the drawing which needs to be in 1:1 and save it us testdrawing.dxf (or what ever name). Then play around with Viewports. Everything should be done in ONE drawing - don't save it under different names. :wink:


A note to Viewports: Common praxis would be to have the drawing in 1:1 and scale the Viewports accordingly to your needs.
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Graham
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Re: 2 identical drawings of different scales

Post by Graham » Fri Mar 25, 2022 9:30 pm

Husky
The original paper drawings I scanned were drawn to a 2inch to the foot scale.
I saved them as PNG scans and when I imported them I drew a line between the longest dimension on the imported PNG and measured it using QCAD.
A 4 inch line would say be several feet so I calculated the new scale so that the PMG imported drawing and anything I traced agreed and fitted the PNG outline and dimensions.
Once traced and debugged I then scaled it to 1.5 inch to the foot and saved it as another name so QCAD would now read 3inch for the original 4inch QCAD drawn line.
I wanted 1.5 inch to the foot so that it would be the same scale as my Allchin Traction Engine.

Graham
Rather convoluted but I got what I wanted but on two drawings hence the original question.

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Husky
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Re: 2 identical drawings of different scales

Post by Husky » Sat Mar 26, 2022 2:08 am

Graham,

thanks for the explanation. I've to admit it took me a while to understand what you are trying to do but now I understand. I learned that scaled or 1:1 is a question of perception. :roll:
Graham wrote:
Fri Mar 25, 2022 9:30 pm
Rather convoluted but I got what I wanted but on two drawings hence the original question.
Great you sorted it out - have fun with your model project!
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Graham
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Re:(SOLVED) 2 identical drawings of different scales

Post by Graham » Sat Mar 26, 2022 10:55 am

Husky
Thank you for your help and insight.
I learn something every day even at 82
I tried view port but it slowed my computer down to a snails pace and the scale conversion was not right for my use.
It seems I was best using save as to keep the two drgs, in line.

Again thank you
Graham

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