Printing BOM patterns in Windows 8

[Constance G.]

I have a new HP ENVYm4 computer that has the Windows 8 operating system. This is the first month that I have printed BOM patterns using it, and I can't find a print control for scaling. My test squares are about 1/16" too small. Can any of you other Windows 8 users set me straight? I'm sure that there is a control out there, but I just don't seem to be able to find it. :?

[Rita C.]

Connie, I don't have Windows 8 but on my MacBook I have to click 'fit to page' when I have clicked the 'print' button.

[Margo C.]

Connie, look to see if you can find a tab for "properties". Your scaling options should be there somewhere. It may be just a matter of trial and error until you decide what works with your combination of computer/printer.

Try this: From the BOM page learn/all-boms RIGHT CLICK on the text that says to DOWNLOAD THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THIS BLOCK.
Select SAVE LINK AS:
Navigate to the place on your computer where you want to save the file. (I keep all of my files in a folder labeled 2013 BOM on the My Pictures page)
Click SAVE which will save the PDF to your computer.
In Windows 7, the file is now available at the lower left side of my desktop but I don't know about Windows 8.
You can click on it there, or locate the file you just saved in your folder.
Click on it to open the PDF file.
At the top of the page there is an icon of a printer. Click on that and see if your printer offers the option to select a size to print.

Hope some of that helps.

Does anyone else use Windows 8????

[Andree B.]

Connie,

I found this free-program:

http://www.win8pdf.com/pdf-to-printer.html

It seems to allow for different settings, including "no scalling". Let us know if you try it.

Andrée

[Susan B.]

Andree beat me to my answer, sort of. My Big Brother says Windows 8 is App based, so if you don't have what you want in your particular printer App, you might consider finding another App that does.

[Margo C.]

Thanks ladies! This stuff is all way over my head....all I can report is what works for me!

[Jeannine K.]

I am printing mine in windows 7 , having the same problem, I am using the same printer settings as last month, but the 1" square is smaller than 1". I guess I will have to scale it up through trial and error. I was wondering if the pdf is incorrect?

[Jeannine K.]

My bad, it turns out I was trying to print from the server, needed to download first....once downloaded and choosing actual size in print window, printed perfectly. Perhaps this is your issue in Windows 8??

[Jeannine K.]

My DH bought me a Windows 8 laptop for Christmas. I have worked on it for a full two months and have to say that I have never been so frustrated in my life. DD spent hours this weekend trying to get it to take a password and was as frustrated as I. I have finally got it to a place that I can get online but I am not able to post a blog on this site. I haven't tried printing anything to size yet using it so I will be watching to see how this thread progresses.

[Constance G.]

Connie,

I found this free-program:

http://www.win8pdf.com/pdf-to-printer.html

It seems to allow for different settings, including "no scalling". Let us know if you try it.

Andrée

Andree, thank you SO much!!! This free download did the trick! Oddly, though, I can only get it to work when I print directly from the webpage. (When I download the file, then open it, it doesn't come up.) The controls I see are not nearly as extensive as at the webpage you posted, but there is a checkbox for "fit to page" that you can uncheck. My test page then printed perfectly!

Margo, my experience on Windows 8 is limited (obviously!) but my impression is that the user controls have been really "dumbed-down". The right click of the mouse that used to get you to menus doesn't work in many areas. The menus that you can get have very limited controls and almost no submenus.

If it weren't for the fact that my old computer (with Windows XP) was on life support, I would not have gotten a new one. I predict a l-o-n-g learning curve for me and Windows 8! Ahhhh, "progress". :roll:

[Andree B.]

Connie,

I found this free-program:

http://www.win8pdf.com/pdf-to-printer.html

It seems to allow for different settings, including "no scalling". Let us know if you try it.

Andrée

Andree, thank you SO much!!! This free download did the trick! Oddly, though, I can only get it to work when I print directly from the webpage. (When I download the file, then open it, it doesn't come up.) The controls I see are not nearly as extensive as at the webpage you posted, but there is a checkbox for "fit to page" that you can uncheck. My test page then printed perfectly!

Margo, my experience on Windows 8 is limited (obviously!) but my impression is that the user controls have been really "dumbed-down". The right click of the mouse that used to get you to menus doesn't work in many areas. The menus that you can get have very limited controls and almost no submenus.

If it weren't for the fact that my old computer (with Windows XP) was on life support, I would not have gotten a new one. I predict a l-o-n-g learning curve for me and Windows 8! Ahhhh, "progress". :roll:

Yes... Progress on "Windows" sometimes makes us want to switch to Mac... :? :roll:
I'm glad it worked.
Andrée

[Margo C.]

I'm also glad you got it to work. Rest assured that you are not the only person around here dealing with Windows8 issues!!

I'm just hoping that my old laptop holds out long enough that some of my friends will be able to help me when I do have to get a new computer! :roll: