Page Setup

Now reading version 18.0. For the latest, read: Page Setup for version 22
Applies to Altium Designer versions: 18.0, 18.1, 19.0, 19.1, 20.0, 20.1 and 20.2

Two variations of the Page Setup dialog    Two variations of the Page Setup dialog

Summary

This dialog provides controls to configure the printout in terms of paper, scaling, and color settings.

While the controls of the dialog remain the same, the actual use of the dialog and its banner text will vary depending on the type of document being printed.

Access

The dialog can be accessed in the following ways:

  • From the schematic or PCB editor, click File » Page Setup.
  • Right-click on a document entry in the Projects panel then click Page Setup (when available).
  • Right-click in the Print Preview dialog then select Page Setup.
  • Select an entry on the Default Prints tab of the Project Options dialog then click Page Setup.

Options/Controls

Printer Paper

  • Size - select a paper size from the drop-down. The drop-down populates with all paper sizes supported by the printing device chosen in the Printer Configuration for dialog.
  • Portrait/Landscape - select one to determine the orientation of the printed output.

Offset

  • Horizontal - use to manually adjust the position of the printed content on the page in the horizontal plane. Enter a positive value to shift the printed content to the right on the page or a negative value to shift it left. If the field is set to zero, the minimum horizontal left-hand margin required by the printer is used. Enable the Center option to automatically position the printed content so that it is centered horizontally on the page.
  • Vertical - use to manually adjust the position of the printed content on the page in the vertical plane. Enter a positive value to shift the printed content upward on the page or a negative value to shift it downward. If the field is set to zero, the minimum vertical bottom margin required by the printer is used. Enable the Center option to automatically position the printed content so that it is centered vertically on the page.
It is a good idea to show the printable region in the Print Preview dialog (right-click then select Show Print Region). This will enable you to see how manual adjustments to the offsets effect the printed content in relation to the area of the page that your printer can actually print.
The units of measurement are imperial or metric. This is determined in the Units region of the Schematic - General page of the Preferences dialog.

Scaling

  • Scale Mode - use the drop down to select the mode of scaling desired. Choose from Fit Document On Page or Scaled Print.
  • Scale - this field is available when Scale Mode is set to Scaled Print. Use it to define how much the document is scaled. Entering a value greater than 1 will essentially enlarge the print (a zoomed-in effect), while entering a value less than 1 will shrink it (a zoomed-out effect).
Where the print is enlarged, the true content of the original page is still printed, it will just be divided over a number of pages. These pages, when printed and placed together, will show the enlarged original printed content.

Corrections

  • X/Y - these fields is available when Scale Mode is set to Scaled Print. Use these settings to adjust the printout in the horizontal and vertical planes, respectively, for scaling errors in the printer.

Color Set

Use these options to choose which color set you want to use for the printed output. Available color sets are:

  • Mono - select to use the monochrome color set; the printout will be in black and white only.
  • Color - select to use the full color set; the printout will include all colors available to the printing device.
  • Gray - select to use the gray scale color set; the printout will be in shades of gray only.

Additional Controls

  • Print - click to print the required content. The Printer Configuration for dialog will appear for confirmation of what is to be printed and to which printing device.
  • Preview - click to access the Print Preview dialog with the page(s) to be printed loaded and in accordance with the defined page setup and printer configuration. Use the preview to ensure the resulting print looks exactly as desired prior to generating the actual print(s).
  • Advanced - click this button to access an additional properties dialog with printing options in relation to content included in the print. The actual dialog accessed and the options it provides depends on the document type from which you are trying to print:
  • Printer Setup - click this button to access the Printer Configuration for dialog in which you can define what is to be printed and to which printing device it is sent.
Note

The features available depend on your level of Altium Designer Software Subscription.