Hello,
HP came through for me, and I'd like to share, probably there are others w/ the same issue. This was the third call to HP for this problem. Thankfully, Mr. Ranullo was able to figure it out. Quite simple actually.

So, if you have an HP Officejet 7500A Wide Format printer, and are trying to print onto the full 13x19" sheet of paper-you might be having a problem. If so, here's what to do:

-get into file you want to print, have it on the screen in the perspective, etc, and zoom in on how much ever you want your drawing to take up of your printed page. What you see in the window (choose small margin if desired) is what you will print, up to the margin.

-go to File
-go to Export
-choose 2D Graphic
-the Export 2D Graphic screen will come up
-at the top "save in" choose where you want to save your file
-of course, you can alter the name at this point
-in the very bottom box "Export type" choose JPEG
-hit Export
-go to wherever you saved it-desktop, etc
-click on the icon, name, etc
-your drawing will come up

If you want to cancel out the greenish/grey background, or color anything else, choose paint and dump white paint on the background

To print, go into the print screen,
-go to options
-go to printer properties
-go to paper size
-choose "Super B" (small margin is also there)
-hit Print.

I am so pleased that I can finally print on wide format, now if I spent time learning Sketchup, I'd be in business.....This group of folks, especially Dave R has been very giving and kind to me in the past. Thanks much.

Hi, I posted earlier about my HP 7500A Inkjet using Windows 7. Does anyone use and have success getting a drawing filling up a 13x19 page? With any printer? The OfficeMax-where I got my HP-has been #1 Excellent to me. The other Wide Format printers they carry are HP7000, Epson WF series, and a couple of others. I would like a drawing to blow up to fill the 13 x 19 paper-is this possible in the $3-400 budget? HP help line was, unfortunatly, not helpful. Thanks, Dave

Hello,
I have an HP 7500A wide format printer. Two problems The first minor one is that I have to take out and replace the black ink cartridge every 3 weeks or so (20-40 pages) cause it prints like running out of ink. Just take out cartridge, put it back-works fine. This was initially worked through w/ HP help line.
The other, more significant problem is that the printer, which I special ordered this 13" x 19" paper for the wide format, only prints to maximum dimensions of about 8.5" x 12-13". My laptop is a Dell Inspiron w Windows 7, bout 18 months old. HP help line was not able to help me. We went into all special sub-menus, selecting paper size "Super B", etc. Disappointing.

Would appreciate any help. Thanks.

Do I get extra points for being able to laugh at myself?

Hi

I'm glad that horsing around is allowed on this forum.

OK--Isn't it true that to begin the "saving" process that I have to FIRST do the "Save As..."? Just like a regular document?

Then, while I am occassionally hitting the "Save" button, the program is doing an "Autosave" for me?

And, I can create a file anywhere to "save" my work/document, but the "autosave" is always in the same pre-destined place?

Are cynicism and sarcasm allowed on the forum?

Thanks, ocd

Dave R, a Global Moderator, is The Man. Thanks, Dave, for the lesson-he is truly a generous person.

Here's what "we" did. Went to Control Panel, then to Folder Options, then View, then unchecked the box that said "hide known folder extensions". Seems like Windows 7 automatically hides folder extensions. With that done, my problem was solved. I still had a couple of things happen that I don't understand, but I'm sure they fall under "operator error".

I appreciate everyone's responses-the folks on this forum are really great.

ocd

Hello,

Maybe I ought to change my name to "green"

I was saving my files in the "save as" manner. Is the skb from the auto backup?

I dug up this from Google (below):
This person proposes a permanent fix, option #3. But, I don't understand what he is doing, would you mind explaining what I need to do to effect #3? And, this manuever has to be done with every file, right? Thanks very much for your patience, ocd

Here it is:
xxxxx.skb is just a backup for an skp file. The skb may not be the
latest version you want? Several things you can do; 1) Look for the
file you saved by the same name except the skp extension;2) drag and
drop the skb file on the SU icon and it should open;3) Change the file
association ( PC) and associate an xxxx.skb file to open with SU;4)
change the file name to xxxxx.skp. The best fix is #3 so you will not
have this problem again.

Hi,
I am really green. I have spent many hours working through Lang's DVD (it's all I had). Still, I feel really frustrated.

When in a drawing, and I make a component(s), then when I shut down, the computer wants to save my work. Great. When I come back, I can't find my "document", or the computer can't find it, or it has been converted to an "skb" file, that the computer can't open. I spent hours making a bookshelf for my niece, and now it has disappeared. Please help, or tell me where to go (for help). How does saving work? Is there a sure-fire way to save my work? Once I save my work, aren't all the components saved within the main "document"?

Hello,

How is is possible, when indicating the dimensions of a piece, to indicate the radius of an arc?

Thanks, ocd

Thanks, I just looked them up on Google. Is there a need to convert them to "skp" or should I get used to going to the "All files" tab at the bottom of the window? What about a skb to skp converter, if yes to that, which one?

Hello,

I did a search for the meaning of "skb" files. No results. What's the deal with them? I mean-why do my drawings "convert" to skb? Is this good/bad? Should I attempt to change them to "skp"?, etc.

Thanks, ocd

I would like to report to the group that some light bulbs have turned on, and with the help of Dave R, I have progressed past groveling in the dark. Haven't really drawn any original work yet, but have feet on the ground. I am pretty sure now I did the right thing by giving my niece all my drafting stuff and using SketchUp instead. Certainly freed up room in my small shop. I will be back on this Forum, and wanted to give an update. Sincere Thanks for your help. ocd.

Just watching the Swamp Road video at lunchtime here. If you'd like to call, please use our back line. Thanks, David

I tried it after watching your video and it worked the second time. There's obviously something that I'm not doing correctly....

That number is the back line at our office. It's no big deal. How do I send a private message?

I been using the above link to the Swamp Road guy. I like the lengthy explanations that he gives. The Follow Me tool is just giving me such a hard time, especially, for instance, around cabinet tops as crown molding. I'm sure I'll get it in time. I am making progress and not as discouraged, but mildly burned out. Thanks everyone. ocd

Thanks, I just bought it and am waiting for the link to download. Good thing I love books...

ocd

Why am I trying to find it-good question. I can't help myself sometimes, that's why I'm ocd.

I take it from the reply I got on another topic that I will be able to create "blueprint"-like drawings eventually. I haven't seen this addressed in my books and that's why I'm going through all this....I just packed up all my drafting equipment, and started doing Sketchup. Fortunately a friend gave me the Pro version for my birthday My wife says I'm obssesed about\by it. I say-so what?

ocd

I have read some of the 2009 posts on layout. I wanted to ask a question that may have already been addressed, if I may. I was given Version 8 Pro, and my goal is to create working drawings of woodworking projects, like "exploded versions" with the dimensioning lines and all that, so I can take the printout to the shop and make whatever. I have some books and don't really see this "blueprint" approach addressed.

Is it possible to create such a drawing with what I have?

If I buy Bonnie's "Lay Out 3" do I need to buy Lay Out 1 & 2 first? I have her Recipes book and find it well written.

Thanks, ocd.

What's confusing is that we are looking for a physical icon and window that "is" the clipboard. But, from what I gather, the clipboard is out there in the ether somewhere and doesn't actually come up on the screen, but remembers when we cut, copy, etc. Is that right?

Thanks, ocd

Hi,

I had a problem with general frustration that the Woodworker folks helped me out with. I found a book "The Missing Manual" to be very helpful in walking me through.

Now, I can't find the "clipboard" that things are copied to. I have a computer guy with me today, and he can't find it either. Please-what simple thing are we overlooking on SketchUp 8 Pro?

Thanks, ocd