PDF editing software would be my first thoughts, also. The problem is finding free software, especially for the MAC. I am sure open office would work. But maybe, once again, MAC to the rescue:
http://www.lps.org/post/detail.cfm?id=2062

 

I found a free online pdf editor: http://www.nitropdf.com/free/hammer/index.htm#
I've tested it and it works for deleting pages.

 

i downloaded cute pdf and go to the print menu and i am getting an error sayin printer is not activated. what did i or am i doin wrong?

 

I was reading rcgroups a few days ago and someone found some new free programs. Looks like we have a real good solution now, that takes care of the unwanted borders and blank pages. Basically, print a single sheet full size pdf from sketchup. If it wasn't setup right them use the Cropper program to crop away the empty space. Then use the tile program to tile the pdf. Even has the option to add the registration marks and an overview sheet of how the tiles are layed out. I started a mini-tutorial thread at the rcgroups CAD/CAM section, with many pictures: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthre ... p=14468022 I am using the surfer dude plans as demo, since that's what I wrestled with when I tried out 3DMON's tutorial. And I think, I really got it figured out now.

-Kwok

 

3DMON, you are right. I just tried the cropper program with like a 51" square sheet instead of a 41" square sheet. The same surfer dude plans and it hardly took any off. Way less than an inch. It should have taken it down to ~41". Looks like you still have to do your cropping in sketchup. But I think, I got that part figured out. Zoom in as close as you can, and don't keep "Use model extents" checked. You still have to click it to get 1:1 or whatever(get the full sheet size maybe), but click it back off. And enter very close to what the full size sheet dimensions are into cutepdf custom page size.

-Kwok

 

I figured out the cropping thing and also found another program that will crop. Both the crop programs work. I've updated that rcgroups thread. Basically, anything viewable on the sketchup screen, at the time you print, can't be cropped away. Even the blank space, is someting physical in the pdf. -Kwok

 

7up, nothing wrong with your method. But, I suspect you lose alot of quality from scaling up an image. Another note, the "Govert pdf tools", you can simply be downloaded. They can rescale and tile, too. And if you don't crop, I don't think you need anything besides .net.

Well, I got more to figure out about pdf cropping and sketchup. philba @ rcgroups, saids he can still crop even if he zooms out his sketchup window. Which is something, I can't do. Wonder if there is some texture or hidden watermark in my template?

-Kwok

 

Mark, that's interesting to know. Looks like it can output vector pdfs, too, which is the solution to the cropping problems I have been having. Derfy @ rcgroups, came up with the idea that sketchup print to pdf was outputing a raster image and you can't crop more than the original image. I tried it with a vector format pdf from sketchup pro and there was zero white space left around a test square. Cool, problem solved! -Kwok

Attached files

 

I have some great news. Free version of sketchup can print out in vector format! :mrgreen: Here is my quote from my rcgroups thread:

 

Hi All, its my first post here.

I have a question about tiled pdf output. I'm using MAC, and I know that button "save as PDF". But I dont know how to save it 1:1 scale (tiled). There is no option for that.
Can some one who using mac share the way to save tiled PDF's ?

thanx guys !

 

I don't have a mac. But the lastest method I use, involved a 3rd part software to do the tiling. What about this: http://www.mindcad.com/tiler.html

 

hey, thanx for help.
kyyu - thanx for the link. Now I need to know how to save 1:1 scale only

 

I have Adobe reader x.When I finished the tutorial I tried it.Did not work.
When I clicked on the print button,the Adobe reader would not respond.