Re: [libreoffice-users] Draw printing of large plans

On 07/24/2013 06:41 AM, John R. Sowden wrote:
> We have created a floor plan, using LO Draw with a scale of 1/8" = 
> 1'.  Now we want to take it to Kinko's (Fed Ex) and have it printed 
> for about $4.00 per page.  Problem is they cannot print it.  A few 
> questions:
>
> 1) What is the standard file format (description and file type) for 
> professional drafting?
>
> 2) Does LO Draw support this format?
>
> 3)  If not, is there a work around?
>
> 4) Can I print multiple parts of the drawing onto 8.5" x 11.0" paper, 
> then tape them together for a preliminary draft?  (I know I can do the 
> taping part, its the printing that is an issue :)  )?
>
> 5)  And , finally, Does the PDF format fit into this issue at all?
>
> tia,
>
> John


How big is the floor plan - if you printed it out on one sheet of 
paper?  13 by 19 inches? More?  Less?

If you want to print it out on multiple sheets of paper, but that option 
is called "tiling".  You have to have a printer that supports that.

If you export the floor plan to a PDF file, then the "printing service" 
should be able to print it on their machines.  PDF is one of the 
standard formats they use.

To be honest, you should ask the Kinko's people what file formats they 
can use with the setup.  Some companies have a small and very specific 
specific file formats and other options.  BUT, PDF files should be on 
their list.  Sometimes they can use image files, like JPG, but not always.

The next question is how large of a sheet of paper can they print? I 
have seen places like Staples Office Center print 11 by 17 inch paper, 
but to get larger, they have to send the "job" out.  I would check out 
the different companies in your area for a service that has a 
"plotter".  That type of printer can print sheets of 3 or 4 foot wide.

So you need to look into what these print services have to offer, and 
then plan on the paper size based on their limitations.  I have tried 
using the tile printing option and then taping the sheets together.  It 
was not the easiest to do and the time it took to do all of the 
alignment and taping was enough for me to want to just go ahead and pay 
for the full size sheet printing at a service.

ALSO, you need to look at the complexity of the drawing.  I had a great 
looking old railroad map.  I exported it out to a working PDF file, but 
when the printing service tried to print it out on a 3 foot wide sheet, 
the "rendering" process from file to printer data kept failing.  There 
was just something in the file that was "too much" for the service's 
system to handle.

Now, if you had the money, I would always recommend getting a wide 
format inkjet printer.  Sometimes you can find them on sale.  Mine was 
the last one that the store had and I bought it at half price. My wide 
format printer is a HP 7000 Officejet printer and can print up to 13 by 
19 inch sheets.  I tend to keep it loaded with 11 by 17 inch "tabloid" 
paper, though.  Good quality paper at the 13 by 19 inch size could be 
costly.  My photo sheets cost $1.50 per sheet.




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