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Managing Print Configurations

You can define print configurations to apply them as printing defaults for the Model and for Sheets.

A print configuration contains the settings for the printer, paper size, print scale and range, orientation, margin offsets, and other options such as the PrintStyle.

When using the Print command, you can select a print configuration.

You can also associate print configurations to Sheet tab names. Any drawings that use the same Sheet tab name have the same print configurations automatically associated (unless you disable this automatism).

Print configuration management uses two types of configuration files:

  • Each print configuration is stored in an individual file with a .cfg extension.
  • The mapping of print configurations to the Model or to Sheet tab names is stored in a config.map file.

Both kinds of files are stored in the user's Print Settings application data roaming folder for the system.

To open the Print Configuration Manager dialog box:

  • Do one of the following:
    • On the Application Menu, click File > Print Configuration Manager.
    • On the menu, click File > Print Configuration Manager.
    • Type PrintConfiguration at the command prompt.

    The dialog box displays the user-defined print configurations which you can associate with the Model or the active Sheet.

    The Settings section displays printer related information about the selected print configuration.

    The top of the dialog box displays the name of the active print configuration for the current Sheet.

    At the bottom of the dialog box, Show dialog box on creation of new sheets lets you determine whether you want the Print Configuration Manager dialog box to open automatically when you create a new Sheet.

    By default, previously defined mappings of Sheet tab names to specific print configurations apply when you create new Sheets or new drawings. Select Do not associate sheets of the same name with configurations to disable this automatism for new Sheets and new drawings. Associations with print configurations for existing Sheets are maintained. The option setting is preserved over application sessions until you reset it.

    The Printing Options button provides quick access to the printing options of the Options dialog box. In the Options dialog box, the System Options page opens and Printing > General Options expands.

To create a new print configuration:

  1. In the Print Configuration Manager dialog box, click New.
  2. In the New Print Configuration dialog box:
    1. In Based on, select an existing print configuration. The new print configuration is based on the selection.
    2. Click OK.
  3. In the file specification dialog box:
    1. Type a file name for the new print configuration (file of type .cfg).
    2. Click Save.
  4. In the Print Configuration dialog box:
    1. Set the printer or plotter, select a paper size, specify print scale, print range, orientation, offset, and set additional options.

      For detailed information about the Print Configuration dialog box, see Setting up Print Configurations.

    2. Click Save.
  5. Click Close.

To edit a print configuration:

  1. In the Print Configuration Manager dialog box, select a print configuration.
  2. Click Edit.
  3. In the Print Configuration dialog box:
    1. Set the printer or plotter, select a paper size, specify print scale, print range, orientation, offset, and set additional options.

      For detailed information about the Print Configuration dialog box, see Setting up Print Configurations.

    2. Click OK.
  4. Click Close.

To activate a print configuration:

  1. In the Print Configuration Manager dialog box, select the print configuration that you want to use for the current Sheet.
  2. Click Activate.
  3. Click Close.

To import a print configuration for another drawing file:

  1. In the Print Configuration Manager dialog box, click Import to load print configurations contained in other drawing files (.dwg), drawing exchange files (.dxf), drawing template files (.dwt), or print configuration files (.cfg).
  2. In the Open dialog box, select the file name that contains the print configuration(s) you want to import and click Open.
  3. In the Import Print Configuration dialog box, select a print configuration name.

    The print configuration is added to the print configurations.

  4. Click OK.
  5. Click Close.

To assign a print configuration to one or more Sheets:

  1. In the Print Configuration Manager dialog box, click Assign to to associate Sheets with print configurations.
  2. In the Assign Print Configuration dialog box:
    1. In the Configuration list, select a print configuration.
    2. Select the corresponding check boxes to assign Sheets to the selected print configuration.
    3. Click Apply.
  3. Click Close.

Access

Command: PrintConfiguration

Application Menu: Print > Print Configuration Manager

Menu: File > Print Configuration Manager

Shortcut: Right-click the Model or a Sheet tab and select Print Configuration Manager.



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