Tile Mode

Printing to Scale on Multiple Pages first created 24/09/07 - last modified 26/02/12 Page Author: Ty Harness

There are several methods for making a full scale or 1:1 pattern and one of the most popular techniques is to centre dot through a paper template onto some thin gauge sheet material or hardboard (more durable than paper). In some instances paper templates are preferable as shown in figure 1 where Stephen Darby is centre dotting the cut line before flame cutting the pipe holes and grinding back to the centre dotted line.

Figure 1 - Stephen Darby centre dotting through the paper template.

But you will need a plotter that can handle a full size pattern and most printers are A4 (or Letter dimensions) only so some form of multiple page printing will be required.

Multiple Page Tilemode Support

For the Non CAD user or layman then multiple sheet support has just been added to the Ty Harness Sheet Metal Software applications for revision 1.3beta and above.

From the PaperSheet Menu choose Multiple Page setup. You can select how many sheets of paper along the horizontal (or columns) and vertical directions (or rows) and then choose the paper size for example A4 and also if you prefer portrait or landscape. You'll see the multiple pages previewed on the drawing canvas where you can then scale and pan the drawing as required and then press print complex as normal. Most people will use the tile mode because they wish to plot 1:1 but model makers often use the real dimensions in the interface and print at a certain scale. Take for instance this Saturn V rocket at 1:50)

Figure 2 - Multiple Paper Sheet Landscape mode .
2a - 6 A4 directly printed from a Samsung ML1510

From figure 2 you can see that A4 Landscape paper has been chosen and with the drawing scaled to 1:1 6 sheets of A4 are printed as shown in figure 2a. Each sheet is labeled column,row but turning on the pattern layer numbering may be useful when joining sheets together. Using a PDF printer such as DeskPDF(TM) you send the multiple pages to a PDF file. You can download the example PDF below which shows the graphics to the edge of the paper which is an indirect way of sending a client or fabrication shop the pattern but you must tell Adobe Reader not to shrink to the margins (i.e. no page scaling) before printing from the reader. Unlike the PDF driver, is that every printer has margins in which the printer will not plot beyond so a lapped tile function is currently being developed with alignment marks and a key page.

tilemodetest.pdf (not lapped) - Use Right Button Save As

Figure 3a - Multi paper support portrait mode
b - A4 HP(TM) C3180 output.

Note when assembling the paper plots the joint is the edge of the paper as shown in figure 3b only if you've printed out on the correct size paper and that the paper was correct dimensions and squareness to start with. UK users don't assume that the US Letter is the same as A4; it's close but not the same. The key is to measure any known dimensions and then multiply by the scale factor to check you've joined the paper plots up correctly. I'm working on a grid feature to help with the assembly and any calibration issues.

multiexample2.pdf (not lapped) - Use Right Button Save As

What about the sheetmetal applications that don't have the multi-page print options?

TyGraphs2.X is available to registered members. You can import a DXF and from there use the multipage printing function. Figure 4 shows 4 A3 pages with an imported DXF created by the TTbeta1 application. I set the scale 1:1 by right button clicking on the status bar and also engaged the scale lock to stop me catching the scroll wheel and accidentally changing the scale while positioning the drawing on the multipages.

Figure 4 - Using TyGraphs2.X to print.

TTmultipage.pdf 4 page example

Link to TyGraphs2X page.

Print - Pan - Print Method

For versions prior to 1.3 you could use a manual pan and print technique which can still be useful when you only need to print a small portion of the pattern on a couple of sheets and you can achieve as much page lap as you need.

Figure 5 - Print - Pan - Print

In Pan Mode (with tool button with 4 arrows depressed)

Perform a left mouse button down (and holding down) anywhere on the screen and then drag the mouse in the direction you wish to pan (left, right or up and down). The paper sheet won't move but the pattern will and any lines outside of the paper sheet area will not be printed. Be careful not to catch the mouse scroll wheel or the scale will change and you'll need to re-set the scale again to be consistent with all the prints.

Print Complex - Pan - Print Complex - Pan and so on.

Printing from CAD applications

Most CAD applications offer some form Tile Mode printing and full version users can export to DXF which can then be imported into your preferred CAD application. Figure 6 shows a pattern import into TurboCAD(TM) where a border and some reference dimensions have also been added.

Figure 6 - Using TurboCAD to import the DXF and tile print at 1:1

One of the main reasons why users buy the full version is the need to transfer the geometry and pattern development to CAD where a transformer may be just one small element of a job.

Tested in Firefox 2.04: FireFox homepage

Please note Ty Harness Sheet Metal Applications have no affiliation with TurboCAD and TurboCAD is trademark of IMSI.

Ty Harness Sheet Metal software has no affiliation with Adobe (TM), Samsung(TM) ,HP(TM) or DeskPDF(TM).