Best options for copying large plans?

[toolsntat]

I have recently purchased some large copies of an architects drawing.
They are both nearly the same and approximately 6` x 3`.
The paper is not the best and a certain amount of faults are present in the 2 copies.
One copy is printed well but missing a corner, the other is poorly printed but all there.
So is it possible to get something as large as this scanned and Photoshopped with the aim
of producing better quality printings?
Cheers
Andy

 

[MrTeroo]

These people scan up to 40" wide.

You can get a quick quote on this page, they seem reasonably priced.

http://www.scanningdirect.co.uk/large_format_scanning.html#large_format_quote

 

[toolsntat]

These people scan up to 40" wide.

You can get a quick quote on this page, they seem reasonably priced.

http://www.scanningdirect.co.uk/large_format_scanning.html#large_format_quote

Yikes £120 minimum
Andy

 

[MrTeroo]

Sorry, I didn't spot the minimum.

The quick quote said £10 for 2 plans scanned.

 

[sunnybob]

If there are still copy shops around, they all have pretty big copiers.
Admittedly it was 10 years ago, but I got a scale drawing of a model boat scaled up from A3 to a metre long copy, and that cost me about £15, because it took them 3 attempts to arrive at the required finished size. And that was just an ordinary shop in a smallish town.

 

[Fitzroy]

If you can get them flat on a floor, I'm sure a digital SLR say 15+ megapixel from above would enable you to digitise them. Printing them out would then be the only issue.

F.

 

[novocaine]

light it properly and take a photograph.

yes there are large format scanners out there, but they are a rare machine and cost a bomb so not many places have them.

EDIT: beaten by seconds.

 

[bugbear]

If you can get them flat on a floor, I'm sure a digital SLR say 15+ megapixel from above would enable you to digitise them. Printing them out would then be the only issue.

F.

A big plan with fine lines might need a good deal more resolution than that.

EDIT - facts!

An 18 Megapixel camera is 5,184 × 3,456, and the plan is 6'

So, if capture a full image, we 5184 pixels covering 6' AKA 72 inches, so the resolution is 5184/72, about 72 DPI. That is
not a very high resolution scan. That's about the resolution of a 1980 dot matrix printer. The first Apple LaserWriter
was 300 DPI.

BugBear

 

[MrTeroo]

If you can get them flat on a floor, I'm sure a digital SLR say 15+ megapixel from above would enable you to digitise them. Printing them out would then be the only issue.

F.

Flat on a wall. Camera on a tripod. Photograph it in quarter sections or more. Combine them together afterwards.

 

[bugbear]

If you can get them flat on a floor, I'm sure a digital SLR say 15+ megapixel from above would enable you to digitise them. Printing them out would then be the only issue.

F.

Flat on a wall. Camera on a tripod. Photograph it in quarter sections or more. Combine them together afterwards.

Indeed. Here's the technique in more detail.

post932001.html?hilit=gigapan#p932001

BugBear

 

[Blockplane]

Re-draw it?

 

[AES]

I realise that what's "common" in my local town is not necessarily applicable in the UK, but I'm with sunnybob on this one toolsntat. Before you go to all the fairly lengthy and possibly problematic ideas above, try a "copyshop".

About 3 or 4 years ago I got my local place to do a big plan for me (it was over 5 feet "wide" as I remember) and I insisted that certain dimensions I marked on the plan had to be spot on. It took them 2 attempts, but I got just what I wanted, and on good thick paper too. I cost the equivalent of about 25 quid and Switzerland ain't cheap for anything!

So suggest you ask around at such places first. The machine at the place I used basically worked on a "continuous" roll of paper and the bloke told me that within the length of the paper roll (I think he said it was 25 metres!!!) I could have a copy as long as I wanted. The "height" of drawing available (i.e. the width of his paper roll) was about 2 metres - plenty for what I needed.

The other thought that occurs to me is what about all the adverts and special liveries one sees on buses, trains, and aeroplanes. Of course the final output is self-adhesive "vinyl" film of some sort, not what you want. But I guess the machines that produce those could also print on to mylar drawing film?

You'd need Yellow Pages or t'net to find such a place though.

But I think either/both of the above would be good places to start off at least. If I needed an ACCURATE drawing, personally I would only try DIY with cameras, etc as a last resort (i.e. can't find someone to do the job at a sensible price).

HTH

AES

 

[toolsntat]

Many thanks for your ideas.
Direct copying leaves me with the faulty corner, unless I fold it under and lay it on top
of the other.
Would the two layers go through a machine?
Redrawing would loose the "aged" effect which I'm sure would make them more saleable.
Maybe what I'm thinking of doing by selling them on is a no go if someone owns the original still.
A bit of background information to put this into context.
The plan is of The Britannia Steam Works Gainsborough former home of Marshall's who manufactured
many of today's collectable Tractors and Steam engines.
With so much of it about I'm hoping the owners would like to purchase a copy.
It would be nice to have it done digitally for storage on a memory stick.
Not sure I have the necessary ability to do the photographic idea but will look into it.
Cheers
Andy

 

[MrTeroo]

I just rang KallKwik in Birmingham. The largest scan they do is A0 (33.1in x 46.8in)

http://www.kallkwik.co.uk/birmingham/plan-printing-plan-copying/

So you could scan each of yours in two halves (with a little overlap to assist joining together)

That costs £7 + VAT per scan

Sounds better than £120

Do you have a KallKwik nearer to you?

 

[toolsntat]

I just rang KallKwik in Birmingham. The largest scan they do is A0 (33.1in x 46.8in)

http://www.kallkwik.co.uk/birmingham/plan-printing-plan-copying/

So you could scan each of yours in two halves (with a little overlap to assist joining together)

That costs £7 + VAT per scan

Sounds better than £120

Do you have a KallKwik nearer to you?

Good of you Mr Teroo, as you say, that sort of price makes things more plausible.
Not really close but seeing as they offer this I would have thought a local service could be found.
Cheers
Andy

 

[bugbear]

Are the plans in good condition? - I can't find any flatbed A0 scanners, they're
all roll fed devices.

http://www.wydos.co.uk/store/products/c ... -scanners/

I wouldn't put a precious or delicate item through them. If the plans are robust,
they'll be fine.

BugBear

 

[flying haggis]

Just remembered , when i worked for jewsons, they had a large printer which could produce building plans. I cant remember though if it could copy, but a quick call to the largest branch near you might be fruitful.

 

[Jacob]

Specialist copy shop or printer. They'll tell you where to go if they can't do it themselves.
Photograph in tiles. Best in open air but overcast dull daylight.