For those people that are getting full size plans scanned, where are you doing it? I would love to scan my plans before using them to allow me to print out multiple copies of templates for ribs, formers, etc. and to let me work from a copy without damaging the original plan set.


Thanks,
Mark

Any copy store with the equipment ---- for me the closest is Kinkos.

I've done this for some time but recently their prices have doubled so I'll be moving on to another location for the next set.

Check the yellow pages for Copying/Reproduction of Engineering drawings.

I do not know about your area, but many of the local blueprint shops now use an OCE' machine. This scans your plan then makes numerous B&W copies. You only need to have the first step completed. Just get on the telephone, and ask those in the yellow pages, as to if they have an OCE' machine or not.

There are several now around here, but is one particular place about three miles from here with an OCE' machine. I just haul about five plans over to them at one time, they scan it while I wait, then I give them a CD-ROM disk to write information to.

The firm charges about $5 each, if I bring my own disk. Otherwise they add on $10 to the cost for one of theirs. They are famous for saying my disk is No Good. Try again, OK? They often tend to try using the wrong software.

They like to scan in a compressed TIF format. Not many home computers have the software to disolve this format. So state what format you expect to receive the files in. Otherwise it may be in a format to which you cannot use.

Local Kinkos will not scan to file. Only local blueprint shops will now.

And, if you are using Windows, remember the default limitations.

Wm.

Hi Mark,

I have to agree with CoosBayLumber, I'm fortunate to live near Houston, and there are Reprographic company's at every corner. I have bought several plan sets in the last few months and I have had some "Blown UP" because I wanted a Larger Scale, and I have had some "Reduced" for the same reasons. I always have them save the scans to a file on Disc, then I can print out the various formers, ribs etc.. At home on my computer so I'm not destroying my originals. I normally use "Butcher Paper" tracings to build over as I use my building table as a JIG for any parts which are built like the Fuse Sides, Horizontal and vertical Stabs which are flat. Wings, I build using aluminum arrow shafts for built up wings so no need for plans on them and with all our old traditional Foam Wings just use the shucks.

The company I use has been very reasonable in doing this service for me and I have them saved in .pdf format as you can 'SeLect' any portion of the plans you want to work with and then send it over to your printer. I recently took a set of plans too them had them "Enlarged so I could build a larger version of a very nice aircraft. I might ad that you can check to see if they have email and you can get in touch with them via the internet.

I will give AeroTech down in Florida a plug here as they offer a Scanning service as well. Jon is very affable, and has lots of experience.

http://www.aerotech-rcmodels.com/

You can go to the website and see Jon's ad for his Custom Scanning Service.

HTH'

Tony
Boling, TX

Thanks for the info, gentlemen. I will look through the Yellow Pages here and phone around. There are a couple of repro shops I have dealt with in town for large format copying, they may be able to help me out here. PDF would probably be my first choice, as CoosBayLumber notes, large tif and jpeg formats will not open in Windows while even very large pdfs will work fine.


Mark

Mark,

I'm using Kinkos here in Durham.. and they will scan to file... but... as the others have said.. watch out for the limitations. Got to go there and get a copy of the T2 40 plans for you tomorrow... take care,

Dan

A point with Windows home operations. If you are lucky, and can find software that will run in Win 95 (Yes correct) there were zero limitations as to overall view and printing. If the CAD, TIF or other format plan were about 165 inches long, then it would compile and run off one long sheet of paper. You can see it, and you may be able to press the PRINT button, but you get a drawing with anything past the limitation- blank.

However, since Win 98, Microsoft put a default into teh software. Yes you can look at a huge sheet, but that same one won't come off as a whole sheet via any plotter or printer. I think the limit for 98 was set at Max of 120 inches. For ME is got shorter to about 100 or in the 90's. And for software running in XP is is down into the high 60's for home edition. Bigger for Professional.

Thus, you can plot or print to your heart's content, in portions or until the Max length default is reached. As most engineering and graphics firms usually work well within this limitation, it doesn't bother but 1% of the remainder.

Did you ever wonder why those early editions of CorelDraw and Autocad command the high dollars? Here is one reason.

Wm.

Thanks for the info, CBL.

The length issue was one that I have not come across yet, but I have only plotted up to around 80" on one sheet before. I will have to keep that in mind if I get to plotting big aircraft chunks. Shouldn't be a problem for the foreseeable future, as I simply can't transport anything much bigger than a 2M pattern plane at the moment.


Mark