Chief Architect Help Database - Article Number: 768
How to Print to a PDF Document
The information in this article applies to:- Chief Architect X5
- Chief Architect X4
- Chief Architect X3
- Chief Architect X2
- Chief Architect X1
How can I create a PDF document to send to my print shop or client?
While Chief Architect programs cannot inherently export to PDF files, you can quickly and easily configure your computer to print to PDF files by installing a PDF Printer driver and converter. There are many of these programs available, such as Adobe® Acrobat®, however searching online for PDF print drivers will provide results for a number of free PDF printer drivers.
For your convenience, Chief Architect has compiled a list of some of the more popular options available. To view this list, please see our Help Database article #483: What software do I need to create a PDF file?
To print to a .pdf file in Chief Architect
- In Chief Architect, open the file that you would like to print to PDF.
- Select File> Print> Page Setup
- Click the Printer button in the top left corner of the Page Setup dialog box.
- Select your PDF print driver from the Printer Name drop down list and click OK.
For the purposes of this example, we are using the free CutePDF® Writer. - In the Page Setup dialog, set the Printer Paper Size and Orientation as desired.
- Set the Drawing Sheet Size and Orientation to match the Printer Paper size and orientation.
- Click OK to close the dialog and apply your changes.
- Click the Printer button in the top left corner of the Page Setup dialog box.
- Select File> Print> Print
- Select your desired options for the print and the click the OK button.
Do NOT check Print to File.
- Save As dialog appears on your screen.
- In the Save As dialog, choose the location on your computer where you want to save the PDF file and give it a File Name.
- Click Save.
- Select your desired options for the print and the click the OK button.
To set up your PDF Printer's properties
If you encounter difficulties selecting or printing to the desired printer paper size, specify that size in PDF's Properties dialog.
- Click the Windows Start button at the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Select Printers & Faxes (or Control Panel> Printers & Faxes) from the menu that opens.
- Locate your PDF print driver CutePDF Writer in your printers list and right-click on it.
Again, for the purposes of our example, we will select CutePDF Writer, however, these steps will likely be similar regardless of the pdf print driver that you are utilizing. - In the menu that displays, select Properties.
- On the General tab of the CutePDF Writer Properties dialog:
- Click the Printing Preferences button and select the desired page orientation.
- Click the Advanced button, then choose the desired Paper Size from the drop-down list.
- Click OK twice to return to the CutePDF Writer Properties dialog.
- Click the Printing Preferences button and select the desired page orientation.
- On the Advanced tab of the CutePDF Writer Properties dialog:
- Click the Printing Defaults button and select the desired page orientation.
- Click the Advanced button, then choose the desired Paper Size from the drop-down list.
- Click OK twice to return to the CutePDF Writer Properties dialog.
- Click the Printing Defaults button and select the desired page orientation.
- On the Device Settings tab of the CutePDF Writer Properties dialog:
- Choose the desired paper size from the OnlyOne drop-down list.
- Click OK to close the CutePDF Writer Properties dialog and apply your settings.
- Choose the desired paper size from the OnlyOne drop-down list.
- When you select return to the Page Setup dialog in Chief Architect, the page size that you specified in the CutePDF Writer Properties dialog will be available.
Last updated on: Mar 29, 2013
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