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Printing Schematics

Personally I cannot repair stuff working with schematics on pc screens. I can only use bits of paper where a physical magnifying glass actually works, unlike the usual PDF/virtual, joke magnifying glasses. Other than magnifying the perfectly readable pc image before printing off on laser printer,is there any other way of getting a printed image to be as (almost) clear as the PC screen image ? Say a schematic original is 4 A4 sheets then scanned in 1 to 1 (about, so to allow some overlap) , in 4 sections, it needs printing off on 16 sheets to get anywhere near to the original in resolution. Assuming a decent GIF image rather than the usual joke PDF, better-than-nothing, stuff.

Update on previous thread on copying old brown paper schematics, the simple way to increase the contrast was to scan in and just select "reduce colour depth" in viewer, to just 2 colours and save as .gif , but then comes the usual printing off problem.

-- Diverse Devices, Southampton, England electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on

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Reply to
n cook
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I've had the same issue. I download schematics in PDF and try to follow the circuit by magnifying and scrolling. It's pretty daunting. I've compensated somewhat by having a PC with a good monitor right at the workbench. It seems as if I don't have enough hands to scroll the diagram while simultaneously tracing the physical circuit on the device itself.

I suspect that it is an acquired skill.

If you have something like a Kinko's (full service copying/printing business graphics facility...they're everywhere here in the States) across the Pond, you can have full-sized (or larger) paper prints made of your PDF's.

I'm gonna try this as a stopgap while I practice doing it electronically.

jak

Reply to
jakdedert

This might sound stupid, but have you considered using a trackball instead of a mouse? Seems like it'd make it a lot easier to scroll around the schematic.

Just a thought...

Reply to
Mr. Land

Never tried to convert PDF to CAD (dwg/dxf) format ( google for pdf/dgw converter) and then open it with a very common and free program like i.e.

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? You can scale it as you prefer and print it as you prefer.

Reply to
Fastvale

I think that would be nice, but a scrolling mouse is allready like a track ball in the vertical direction. I usually look through the pdf's and then print the current view, than go over to the equipment. Sometimes I tape sections together. I worked on much equipment from old faxes, that it was a miracle I could do anything with it. I sometimes convert autocad to pdf. same viewing result. I have not tried converting clipboard to gif. and Jpeg, forget it.

Reply to
szekeres

You have to put the file on a CD disk, and go to a professional printing place to print it right, or spend some big dollars on a proper printer. Some of the service centres have a professional printer for printing schematics. Many are also starting to use 25 inch and larger LCD screens for the computers in their technical areas.

--

JANA _____

Update on previous thread on copying old brown paper schematics, the simple way to increase the contrast was to scan in and just select "reduce colour depth" in viewer, to just 2 colours and save as .gif , but then comes the usual printing off problem.

-- Diverse Devices, Southampton, England electronic hints and repair briefs , schematics/manuals list on

formatting link

Reply to
JANA

I have three 11" * 17" printers which are nice for size "B" (17" *

22") schematics. Size "C" (22" * 34") is just two size "B" pages, which is easier that trying to align four pieces of paper. I have a size "B" scanner, but I'm still looking for a size "B" laser printer. 
--
Service to my country? Been there, Done that, and I've got my DD214 to
prove it.
Member of DAV #85.

Michael A. Terrell
Central Florida
Reply to
Michael A. Terrell

Hi Michael,

May I ask what kind of large format scanner you have? I have been looking for an affordable unit for my own needs at home, but so far, they've been too expensive for my bank account. As for a large printer, I've considered a used "C" or "D" size inkjet plotter from ebay. Not a laser printer, for sure, but it should certainly do the job. Thanks,

--
Dave M
MasonDG44 at comcast dot net  (Just substitute the appropriate characters in the 
address)

Never take a laxative and a sleeping pill at the same time!!
Reply to
DaveM

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