Defining the Drawing Sheet Setup for Printing

Reference Number: KB-00725
Last Modified: September 14, 2026

QUESTION

I want to setup my drawing sheet(s) so that I get good results when printing. How is this done? 


ANSWER

It is recommended that you setup your drawing sheet settings in both your plan and layout files. Sheet orientation, size, and scale are just a few of the setting that can be set to your liking within these files. 

Consider making drawing sheet changes in your default template files so that you don't have to make these changes in every project you create. For more information on templates, see the Related Articles section. 


To adjust the Drawing Sheet Setup in a plan file

  1. Access your desired plan file, then select File> Print> Drawing Sheet Setup .

    Note: The settings in the Drawing Sheet Setup dialog are file-specific and view-dependent when working within a plan file, allowing you to configure unique setups for floor plan views, CAD detail views, and cross section or elevation views.


  2. Set the Orientation and Size of your Drawing Sheet, then set the Drawing Scale to a value that will be most commonly used when sending views of this type to a layout file.

    The default values are 1/4 in = 1 ft for imperial plans and 1 m = 50 m for metric plans. 

    Drawing Sheet Setup dialog with Orientation, Paper Size, Drawing Scale and Drawing Margins filled in


  3. Once you have completed making any necessary changes in this dialog, click OK, then select File> Save  to save your drawing sheet information


To set the Drawing Sheet Setup in a layout file

  1. Access your desired layout file, then select File> Print> Drawing Sheet Setup from the menu.

    Drawing Sheet Setup dialog with Orientation, Size, Drawing Scale set to 1 inch equals 1 inch, and Margins all set to zero


  2. Select the Drawing Sheet Size and Orientation.


  3. If it's not already specified as such, set the Drawing Scale of 1 in = 1 in if you're using imperial units or 1 mm = 1 mm if using metric units.

    It's important to leave the drawing scale at 1 in = 1 in or 1 mm = 1 mm for layout files. This is because the drawing and/or views that are on the layout file have already been sent to the layout file at a specific scale.


  4. Click OK, then, select File> Save  to save your drawing sheet information so that it's ready for you whenever you wish to print this layout.

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