Dumbest question ever, how do you print images in the gallery in correct scale?

[grindell]

There's a bionix expandora layout in the gallery, but how do I get it to the correct scale to print?

[Taylor]

Make sure you have page scaling off, of course, but assuming you did that and tried printing and it didn't print to size, what I do is edit in Photoshop.

Using the measure tool, I measure the width of an IC in the layout from center of pin 1 to center of pin 8. This should measure .300". Let's say it measures .54" instead.

.54 / .3 = 1.8

So then I go to image size, and change the length of the image to

(current length) / 1.8

Then I measure the width between 2 opposite pins again, and it should come out to .3" if I didn't mess up any of the math. This sounds a lot more complicated than it really is. It takes me like 20 seconds.

If the layout doesn't have any ICs or onboard pots, switches, or jacks, it often doesn't really matter at what size you print it.

[rousejeremy]

What should the distance between transistor legs be?

[Taylor]

That doesn't really matter, since transistor legs are easily bent to fit whatever spacing. If a layout has ICs, and you scale it to fit the ICs properly, everything else will fit properly. If there aren't any ICs, you can pretty much scale it however you want.

But something like .3" from outer leg to the other out leg should be good if you really need a number. 

[Top Top]

I find that most of them print out the correct size when you scale them to either 33% or 25%... but I can't remember off hand. I should write it down because I usually end up printing out the wrong one and then having to print out another at the correct size.

I THINK it is 33% but maybe that is what I always think when I print it out the first time

I sometimes just print out the layout and tape it to a piece of thin cardboard and punch holes through both and build right on that... I know it would make many forum members cringe 

[grindell]

Would it be rude if I asked the poster of the jpg if he has a copy of the actual pic he used to etch his board?  I'm trying to etch this for a buddy, this isn't for me or to etch and sell or anything....

I tried downsizing the pic and finally got it pretty close, but it turned out all fuzzy and grainy....

[Processaurus]

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=47890.0

Here's a thing I wrote up a while ago about sizing layouts in photoshop, maybe part of it can help.  Sizing electronic stuff got way easier when after years I finally learned that 100 mil spacing, and fractions of that, are the main standard.  Perfboard has holes that are 100mils apart, hence IC's fit right in them.

I tried downsizing the pic and finally got it pretty close, but it turned out all fuzzy and grainy....

In photoshop, if that's what you're using, when you resize the image, under Image>Image Size, uncheck "resample image".  That keeps the original resolution, but changes the size it will print at.

[darron]

that's not a dumb question. i had to go through heaps of printers before i found one that matched in scale to the gallery. i ended up with an hp and it's about 10% out maybe.

[grindell]

Thanks for the help, guys!