Re: Controlling scale of Graphics on paper
- To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
- Subject: [mg126298] Re: Controlling scale of Graphics on paper
- From: Joseph Gwinn <joegwinn at comcast.net>
- Date: Sun, 29 Apr 2012 02:11:31 -0400 (EDT)
- Delivered-to: l-mathgroup@mail-archive0.wolfram.com
- References: <jmtd9i$sim$1@smc.vnet.net> <jndtpo$jm0$1@smc.vnet.net>
In article <jndtpo$jm0$1 at smc.vnet.net>,
Szabolcs Horvát <szhorvat at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 2012.04.21. 6:32, Joseph Gwinn wrote:
> > I would like to use Mathematica to make printed templates of various
> > kinds.
> >
> > In one use, a complicated shape is generated mathematically and
> > displayed using Graphics or Show, the plot is printed on paper, the
> > paper is glued to a piece of wood, which is cut and drilled to the lines
> > and center-points. This requires the ability to control the on-paper
> > scale factor, so that a length of 1.0 in a line ends up being one inch
> > (or one centimeter) on paper.
> >
> > I assume that this is possible, but have not found anything relevant in
> > the online documentation. What I have done is used Mathematica to make
> > dolls of machine parts; in this case it was sufficient that all be in
> > the same scale, which was achieved using ImageSize->72*6 directives, but
> > ImageSize doesn't speak directly to the issue of scale on paper.
> >
> > It may be that ImageSize->{w,h} can be used, but there is some math
> > required.
> >
> > So, my question is how best to achieve a specified scale on paper.
> >
>
> You got several suggestions. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet
> is exporting to DXF.
>
> DXF is a CAD-specific format, so there's support for printing to exact
> scales. First export to DXF, then open it with a CAD program or a DXF
> viewer and print to a precise scale. I think this will fit your
> application best.
>
> If you are going to go the PDF route, this might be valuable (similar to
> other suggestions):
>
> http://mathematica.stackexchange.com/a/750/12
>
> You'll need to get rid of any PlotRangePadding and ImageMargins too, if
> you choose this route.
Hmm. I do have a CAD program (Alibre), and it does understand DXF (of
course), but that's a whole new world.
I was hoping for a simpler solution, in Mathematica only, for
non-precision and one-off applications. One would hope and assume that
Mathematica can do this natively.
But it's a good idea nonetheless, for more complex jobs.
Joe Gwinn