The tutorial below indicates the steps within the process that exporting a 2D drafting from Rhino to PDF file. The focus of this tutorial is mainly on setting the line weights, types, hatch, page size and scale for the 2D drafting in order to export. The explanation of the difference between raster/vector is also included. This tutorial is helpful in the cases that drafting 2D graphics in Rhino and exporting into PDF files, thus the PDF files can be used in other programs such as Adobe programs.
1. How to set line weights?
1.1 Select target objects.
1.2 Under the Properties menu, change the display color for the selected objects.
1.3 The next time to select the objects in the same color, type in the command “Selcolor”, and hit enter.
1.4 Fellow the commands in the Command Bar and select target objects.
1.5 Under the Properties menu, change the print width from By Layer to a certain number.
2. How to set line types and hatch?
2.1 Build a new layer, select target object and move it to the new layer.
2.2 Under the Layers menu, click on the Continuous button under the Linetype section.
2.3 Change the linetype from Continuous to Dashed.
2.4 In order to adjust the hatch of the dashed line, select the target object, and click the Properties button under File menu.
2.5 Under Document Properties section, open all the options of Annotation, then click Linetypes button. Change the scale to a proper number to adjust the hatch of the target dashed line.
3. How to set up a page size in Rhino?
3.1 Draw a rectangle sized in 11"x17".
3.2 Select the rectangle, and type in “Scale2D” command.
3.3 The drawing will export in 1/8"=1' scale. In order to change the frame in the same scale, find the scale factor by converting 1/8"=1' scale to 1'=96' scale. Then type in the scale factor “96” in the command bar .
3.4 Move the scaled frame to the proper position.
4. How to set a scale for export?
4.1 Select all the objects to export. Under the File menu, click Export Selected button.
4.2 Among the Save as type options, choose PDF (*.pdf) option to export.
4.3 Under the Destination options, set the Page Size as 11x17, Portrait orientation, Output Type as Vector Output, Output Color as Print Color.
P.S. What’s the difference between raster/vector?
The raster graphics are formed with pixels. If the raster graphics are enlarged into certain size the pixel squares are able to be seen. While vector graphics are formed with paths. No matter how big the graphics are enlarged, no pixel is able to be seen.
4.4 Under the View and Output Scale options, set the Scale as 1/8"=1'. Choose the Window option and use the Move command to move the window to the proper position.
4.5 The example of PDF file after exported.
For more information and the video demonstration, check the YouTube link below:
