How do I specify a large custom paper size?

[API Docs]

I'm using Visio Professional 2003, SP-1, on Windows XP.

I am creating a large drawing, which is meant to be printed on large-format
printers using rolled paper. This means the drawing can be as long as needed
(in this case, it's 34" x 54"), and doesn't have to conform to, say "E-size"
paper.

Darned if I can figure out how to convince Visio that there is such a thing
as rolled paper, though! Whatever I try, when I save it as a PDF, my long
drawing invariably comes through as two pages.

I can see a "custom paper size" option for printing, but can't see how to
tell it the "custom" size is anything but 8.5 x 11.

Banging my head on my desk over this one... Help, help!

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

Try File > Page Setup > Page Size tab, Custom size.

 

[API Docs]

Thank you for the reply. Let me clarify my question...

I have a drawing that currently has a page size (set as you suggested) of
34" high x 54" wide. I can view it in Visio as one big drawing, as it should
be.

The problem isn't the drawing size, it's the paper size. I can choose from
dozens of paper sizes (in File > Page Setup > Print Setup > Printer Paper) -
but only up to E-size paper. My drawing is bigger than that.

I need to send it to a printer, who will be printing it on a large-format
printer that uses rolled paper. I also need to publish it as a PDF file (for
distribution via a web site) that a user could take to their local Kinko's
and have printed on a large format printer.

Everything I've tried so far only lets me specify the standard paper sizes,
which results in my drawing spanning 2-20 sheets, depending on what I specify.

Can you tell me how to specify a custom paper size? Thanks.

 

[API Docs]

I figured it out! Here's the answer, in case anyone else looks this up.
There may be other ways, and some of these may be "superstitious behaviors"
(i.e. unnecessary), but this way worked for me.

Again, I'm using Windows XP, Visio Pro 2003, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.


From Start > Settings > Printers and Faxes, set Adobe PDF as the Default
Printer.
Right-click on Adobe PDF, go to the Adobe PDF Settings tab, and click the
Add Custom Page button.
Create the page size you need. Call it something obvious <My Big Drawing>.
Now go to your diagram in Visio.
Go to File > Page Setup > Print Setup tab.
Under Printer paper you should now find your <My Big Drawing> paper size
listed in the pull-down. Select it.
Click OK.
Now, when you look at a Print Preview, or print to a PDF file, it will use
the correct paper size.

Woohoo!

 

[Mark Nelson [MS]]

I don't know of a way to do this. Generally, we query the printer to find
out what sizes are available and list those sizes in the dropdown. In your
case, the printer you may be connected to is not the printer you want to
use.

--
Mark Nelson
Microsoft Corporation

This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[John Marshall, MVP]

You can connect a printer drive without having the printer physically
attavhed to the machine.

John... Visio MVP

Need stencils or ideas? http://www.mvps.org/visio/3rdparty.htm
Need VBA examples? http://www.mvps.org/visio/VBA.htm
Common Visio Questions http://www.mvps.org/visio/common_questions.htm

 

[API Docs]

Thanks, Gentlemen.

It did turn out (see my earlier post) to be a printer driver paper sizing
thing. The "printer" was Adobe Acrobat. Once I created a custom paper size
in Acrobat, I was able to "print" to it from Visio.