CAD tip # 9348:

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How to add custom paper format to AutoCAD? (grayed)

Your "Plotter Configuration Editor" may display the "Add" option for "Custom Paper Sizes" as inactive (grayed, disabled) and you cannot add your own new custom paper sizes. This is caused by using a system printer or by insufficient access (edit) rights on the curent .PC3, resp. .PMP file.

Adding custom paper sizes inside AutoCAD is supported only on AutoCAD printer drivers (e.g. for PDF, raster images...), not on system printers. Most modern plotter drivers (e.g. HP Designjet) are in fact AutoCAD-optimized system printers. Their settings (incl. adding paper sizes) have to be performed in Windows Control Panels.

The "Device settings" dialog in AutoCAD prompts to use this way. The disabled (inactive) button "Add" displays a note to use "Custom properties":

Use the "Custom properties" button in the Custom Properties branch:

With it you launch the settings dialog of your specific Windows printer driver (as from Control Panels). Here you can add (e.g. with the Custom button) all required custom paper formats. The number of formats is usually not limited - specific procedures, functions and limitations depend on the provider and version of the respective print driver.

All newly added and named paper sizes are immediately avaialable also in the AutoCAD PLOT dialog options.

ACADACLTADTCivilACADMMapDWG

*CAD

19.7.2013 45569×

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this tip shared by ARKANCE experts applies to: AutoCAD · AutoCAD LT · AutoCAD Architecture · Civil 3D · AutoCAD Mechanical · AutoCAD Map 3D · DWG ·

See also:
Tip 14776:	I cannot select duplex printing, copies or a specific printer tray in AutoCAD.
Tip 13773:	What is the maximum paper size when plotting from AutoCAD?
Tip 10556:	AutoCAD 2015 and 2016 do not allow to select paper size for Designjet T120/T520.
Tip 9123:	Maximum resolution for printing from AutoCAD to TIFF files.
Tip 8642:	Setting scale for documentation views in AutoCAD.

Selected tip: How to uninstall a specific AutoCAD or Inventor Service Pack?

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