Kinkos CAD printing.

Kinkos CAD printing.
View related threads: (in this forum | in all forums)

Logged in as Guest

Users viewing this topic: none

Printable Version

Mud Duck MkII Plans set
Seller: Mud Duck Aviation
Details: $35.00 | 12/19/2008 | Classified Ad
We will rotate YOUR AD in this spot if you select "Forum Featured" when placing or editing your ad!

All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD >> Kinkos CAD printing.

Page: [1]

Login

Message

<< Older Topic Newer Topic >>

Kinkos CAD printing. - 11/29/2002 7:29:44 PM

DICKEYBIRD

Posts: 2675
Joined: 4/8/2002
From: Collierville, TN, USA
Status: offline

I just had a great experience with Kinkos printing a CAD plan for me. Go to http://www.kinkos.com/ and download (free) their "File Prep Tool." This installs on your computer and your CAD program print list. You load your drawing, then print using the "Kinkos File Prep Tool" from your printer list. This will regenerate your .dxf (or .dwg, or TurboCAD .tcw for that matter) as a Kinkos ".kdf" file which can be saved on a floppy to take in to Kinkos where they can print it out on 36" wide paper for $2.50 to $5.00 plus tax, depending on length, at least here locally. I had an ANSI E size BEAUTIFILLY printed and it was $5.00 + tax! You also get a proper .pdf file on your floppy when they're finished with it.

The beauty of it is that you can view your CAD file onscreen from within the "Prep Tool" and see if there are any font, curve or other weird issues in the .dxf file to correct before taking it in to Kinko's for printing. I had to trace quite a few filets and circles with line segments to get them to work but I think that's because I use an old version of TurboCAD....otherwise it was perfect!

Post #: 1

Kinkos CAD printing. - 11/30/2002 11:23:11 PM

Ron S

Posts: 1097
Joined: 12/12/2001
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Status: offline

Thanks for the tip. I've downloaded the Kinkos software, but haven't tried it yet. I was not looking forward to printing out, cutting, and taping 30+ 8.5x11's! I'm also using TurboCad.

So you're saying prepare to redo any circles and arcs, huh?

_____________________________

-Ron S.

(in reply to DICKEYBIRD)

Post #: 2

Kinkos CAD printing. - 12/2/2002 6:49:19 PM

DICKEYBIRD

Posts: 2675
Joined: 4/8/2002
From: Collierville, TN, USA
Status: offline

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Ron S
So you're saying prepare to redo any circles and arcs, huh? [/QUOTE]
I certainly had some problems with them but it's wierd, it was only about 10% of them...the rest were perfect! Let me know how yours comes out. I'm thinking some of my problems were due to the older 3.01 version of TurboCAD that I'm using.

(in reply to DICKEYBIRD)

Post #: 3

Kinkos CAD printing. - 12/2/2002 7:31:07 PM

Ron S

Posts: 1097
Joined: 12/12/2001
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Status: offline

I think I'm using version 7 or so. A new version comes out early next year, I think, But I'll probably skip on it for now. The new versions typically cost $150 or so, but you could easily upgrade for under 60 bux by picking up a copy at CompUSA, or another computer store. They usually have versions that are one or two behind the current, at a pretty reasonable price. Thanks for the help!

_____________________________

-Ron S.

(in reply to DICKEYBIRD)

Post #: 4

Cheap TurboCAD - 12/2/2002 11:27:17 PM

TomJacoby

Posts: 44
Joined: 11/25/2002
From: Tularosa, NM, USA
Status: offline

No need to spend $60! Softwareoutlet.com lists TurboCAD 7.1 at $14.99. I bought my TurboCAD Designer 7.0 for $14.98 at Half Price Books.

(in reply to DICKEYBIRD)

Post #: 5

Kinkos CAD printing. - 12/3/2002 12:51:13 AM

gfinan

Posts: 233
Joined: 10/17/2002
From: WARNER ROBINS, GA, USA
Status: offline

CompUSA has Turbocad v 8 for $29.95 for full version, I think it's time to buy.

(in reply to DICKEYBIRD)

Post #: 6

RE: Kinkos CAD printing. - 4/5/2008 6:05:09 PM

Skinny Bob

Posts: 497
Joined: 10/19/2002
From: Auburn, KY, USA
Status: offline

I downloaded the program, but it would not install. Setup could not find the print driver.

I have emailed Kinko's support for help, will post the fix when we get it worked out. Someone else might have the same problem.

_____________________________

Skinny Bob - AMA 713081
WACO Brotherhood #10

(in reply to DICKEYBIRD)

Post #: 7

RE: Kinkos CAD printing. - 4/5/2008 10:22:57 PM

patternwannabee

Posts: 244
Joined: 10/8/2002
From: Mars, PA, USA
Status: offline

Skinny Bob,

Try CutePDF instead. The CutePDF Writer is freeware.

This produces a PDF directly from your CAD program (or any program for that matter), and now you can use any print shop, not just Kinko's.

It works the same way as the Kinko's File Prep Tool.

Just run the installation, then next time you print a document (or a plan from your CAD prog), the CutePDF printer will be available from your printer list.

In your CAD program, do a Print Setup from the file menu, select the CutePDF printer then select the size of the paper you want to use. It lists sizes up to 36 x 108. After selecting CutePDF and paper size, you can do a print preview in your program to see what the PDF will look like.

When you perform the print, it will ask the name of the file you want to save, and that's your PDF.

A word of warning... not all wide format printers are calibrated accurately. The same 60" PDF printed on two different printers differed by more than 1/4". It would be a good idea to include a drawing of a ruler in your plan, and to check it against an accurate tape measure at the store.

At worst, you can always scale your drawing so that the printer will produce a correctly sized plan.

(in reply to Skinny Bob)

Post #: 8

RE: Kinkos CAD printing. - 4/6/2008 1:04:33 PM

Skinny Bob

Posts: 497
Joined: 10/19/2002
From: Auburn, KY, USA
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: patternwannabee

Skinny Bob,

Try CutePDF instead. The CutePDF Writer is freeware.

This produces a PDF directly from your CAD program (or any program for that matter), and now you can use any print shop, not just Kinko's.

It works the same way as the Kinko's File Prep Tool.

Just run the installation, then next time you print a document (or a plan from your CAD prog), the CutePDF printer will be available from your printer list.

In your CAD program, do a Print Setup from the file menu, select the CutePDF printer then select the size of the paper you want to use. It lists sizes up to 36 x 108. After selecting CutePDF and paper size, you can do a print preview in your program to see what the PDF will look like.

When you perform the print, it will ask the name of the file you want to save, and that's your PDF.

A word of warning... not all wide format printers are calibrated accurately. The same 60" PDF printed on two different printers differed by more than 1/4". It would be a good idea to include a drawing of a ruler in your plan, and to check it against an accurate tape measure at the store.

At worst, you can always scale your drawing so that the printer will produce a correctly sized plan.

Thanks, I had CutePDF installed on my computer at one time. Had forgotten about it

_____________________________

Skinny Bob - AMA 713081
WACO Brotherhood #10

(in reply to patternwannabee)

Post #: 9

RE: Kinkos CAD printing. - 4/6/2008 2:28:44 PM

Messerschmitt

Posts: 288
Joined: 6/19/2004
From: Pelham, AL, USA
Status: offline

If you need more options, you can buy PDF Exchange. It interfaces perfectly with AutoCAD (well, all cad software). You can plot your file to PDF, password protect it, set printng rights, digitaly sign it, etc....

It's great software, I use it all the time.

_____________________________

www.mtplans.com
Semper Fi

(in reply to Skinny Bob)

Post #: 10

RE: Kinkos CAD printing. - 4/6/2008 2:34:34 PM

digital_trucker

Posts: 1318
Joined: 2/4/2006
From: Dorr, MI, USA
Status: offline

I talked to my local Kinkos guy, and he said I could just email him the file as an attachment and he'd print it up and have it ready to go when I get there

_____________________________

I feel I can speak for 90% of humanity when I say 'durrrr'
Skype digital_trucker

(in reply to Messerschmitt)

Post #: 11

RE: Kinkos CAD printing. - 4/7/2008 12:46:02 AM

Skinny Bob

Posts: 497
Joined: 10/19/2002
From: Auburn, KY, USA
Status: offline

That sounds good except, it seems most Kinko's locations can't print large format. I can print my own plans, parts etc. on my cutter/plotter, but they are in .cdr format which most people don't trust. So it is nice to be able to convert to PDF and send to whom ever, a format that can be used by all.

_____________________________

Skinny Bob - AMA 713081
WACO Brotherhood #10

(in reply to digital_trucker)

Post #: 12

RE: Kinkos CAD printing. - 4/7/2008 3:47:01 AM

CoosBayLumber

Posts: 3103
Joined: 1/20/2002
From: San Bernardino Calif
Status: offline

Not only that Bob, but the price noted is very osolete now. Try plotting at about three times that figure locally.

Owning your own plotter solves many things, but creates a sence of value in that let's hold off making a plot until ALL of the work is then done. Save a buck there too.

Wm.

_____________________________

www.mybloo.com/coosbay/laser/laser.html
Thousands of Laser Cut parts, thousands

(in reply to Skinny Bob)

Post #: 13

Page: [1]

All Forums >> RC Airplanes >> Scratch Building, Aircraft Design, 3D/CAD >> Kinkos CAD printing.
Page: [1]

Jump to: