Custom Scale

Custom Scale
In some cases, you may need to set up a nonstandard scale to plot your drawing. If you can’t find
the scale you want in the Scale drop-down list, you can select Custom from this list and then enter
custom values in the Inches = and Units input boxes.
Through these input boxes, you can indicate how the drawing units in your drawing relate to
the final plotted distance in inches or millimeters. For example, if your drawing is of a scale factor
of 96, follow these steps:
1.
Double-click the Inches = input box, enter
1
, and press the Tab key.
2.
Double-click the Units input box, enter
96
, and press the Tab key.
Metric users who want to plot to a scale of 1:10 should enter
1
in the MM input box and
10
in the Units input box.
If you’re more used to the Architectural unit style in the Imperial measurement system, you can
enter a scale as a fraction. For example, for a
1
⁄
8
´ scale drawing:
1.
Double-click the Inches = input box, enter
1
⁄
8
, and press the Tab key.
2.
Double-click the Units input box, enter
12
, and press the Tab key.
If you specify a different scale than the one you chose while setting up your drawing, AutoCAD
plots your drawing to that scale. You aren’t restricted in any way as to scale, but entering the correct
scale is important: If it’s too large, AutoCAD will think your drawing is too large to fit on the sheet,
although it will attempt to plot your drawing anyway. See Chapter 3 for a discussion of unit styles
and scale factors.
TIP
If you plot to a scale that is different from the scale you originally intended, objects and text
appear smaller or larger than is appropriate for your plot. You’ll need to edit your text size to
match the new scale. You can do so by using the Properties palette. Select the text whose height
you want to change, click the Properties tool on the Standard toolbar, and then change the
Height setting in the Properties palette.

Adding a Custom Scale to the Scale Drop-Down List
If you use a custom scale frequently, you may find it annoying to have to input the scale every time
you plot. AutoCAD offers the ability to add your custom scale to the Scale drop-down list shown
earlier. You can then easily select your custom scale from the list instead of entering it through the
text box.
Here are the steps you use to add a custom scale to the Scale drop-down list:
1.
Choose Tools 
Options to open the Options dialog box.
2.
Select the User Preferences tab, and then click the Edit Scale List button at the bottom of the
dialog box.



3.
In the Edit Scale List dialog box, click the Add button.


4.
In the Add Scale dialog box, enter a name for your custom scale in the Name Appearing In
Scale List text box, and then enter the appropriate values in the Scale Properties text boxes.


5.
Click OK in each dialog box to close it.
There are several options besides Add in the Edit Scale List dialog box. Clicking the Edit button
lets you edit an existing scale in the list. Clicking the Move Up and Move Down buttons lets you
change the location of an item in the list. Clicking Delete deletes an item or a set of items from the
list. Clicking the Reset button restores the list to its default condition and removes any custom items
you may have added.
TIP
Instead of opening the Options dialog box and clicking Edit Scale List on the User Preferences tab,
you can enter
Scalelistedit
↵
at the Command prompt to open the Edit Scale List dialog box directly.