I am struggling with configuring AutoCAD 2005 products to allow metric printing using english paper. I have been using the same pagesetups all looking at specific PC3 and CTB files for many releases (ever since the last time Autodesk overhaul their printing methods). My problem is that they have removed the units ratio buttons from the plot box. I believe I will work out a new way to achieve what I need to do but not sure why they have made such a change. The paper size and units must now be called out in the PC3 file (before just paper size was). This makes you produce a separate PC3 file for metric and english for all plotters! This worked well for my plotter but for my laser printers there is no way to make the driver apply metric units to and english paper size (the PC3 files were using system printers). I believe I can do it using the AutoCAD drivers when making the PC3 files. I asked about this thru Autodesk web base support. Wanted to share what kind of response I got (basically I feel that I got blow off). Below is the message thread from my support request: Todd Hudgins For years I have used a set of pagesetups for all of our plotters. Now it appears that you can not specify that the units are metric in the plot box! It appears that I must make a PC3 file for English and Metric Custom Paper sizes! Before I could have a PC3 file just specifing ANSI A paper size and in the plot box select metric for the units. Is this true or am I missing something? Why take away the units toggle from the plot box?" AutoDesk Yes, it is true that you need to create or edit a pc3 file. The reason for the change is that Paper sizes should determine the units used to plot. This feature is as designed. The feature is designed to reduce the time consumed to convert the units while printing. Todd Hudgins The approach of making a metric and an english PC3 worked well with my plotter (HP 1050C). I was able to define custom paper sizes that matches my previuos printable areas. However, this does not seem to be the solution for the laser printers! The is no way to make the PC3 file see the letter size paper as METRIC! You do not have the option to choose the units anywhere in the drivers for laser printers. At least not the ones I have (HP 8500 and HP 5SI). The only way to get metric units is to use a metric paper size (A4, etc). This does not match our printing since we use english paper sizes! I configure my AutoCAD plotters to use the "system printer" but the customer paper sizes are not available for the laser jets! AutoDesk We have received similar reports earlier and it was taken to our product development team. The development team is unable to address the issue. Please note that , not all issues are considered significant enough to address in their entirety; a proposed correction may create significant stability risks; some issues may be impossible to fix due to product architectural restraints. We appreciate your understanding and patience in this matter. Based on this information, your Support Request will now be closed.
