Size does matter

How do you find the true, actual size of a plot area BEFORE it prints?

We have 2005 versions of Acad, LDD, Civil and Map. We plot to a HP 750c and have set up a proper PC3 to plot custom sized paper. We window an area, set a scale, and then set a paper size. In R14 you would see a listing (to two decimal places!) of "paper size" and "plotted area." You could then adjust your paper size and not have to trim any excess paper, no guesswork involved.

But this doesn't seem to be possible with 2005. Setting an accurate paper size is a series of trial-and-error attempts involving new custom sizes. Either that or you go ahead and print the first one, cut it to proper size, measure it, then go back and reset to the necessary paper size.

I searched this forum and found a similar post done in 2001, but no suitable answer was given. So, has anyone written a LSP routine or discovered a hidden Autodesk command that quickly reveals the exact size of the plot area after a windowed area and scale have been set?