Configuring Revu to be a true 1:1 ratio to paper

Applies to:

  • Revu 20 & below

You may have noticed that documents on your monitor are not displayed at their “real world” size even when the zoom level is set to 100%. This article explains how you can calibrate Revu so that the onscreen PDF is the same size as it would on the printed page.

What you’ll need

  • A measuring device, such as a ruler or tape measure.
  • A calculator.

Calibrating the Revu display scale

This calibration is achieved by measuring the size of the Revu onscreen rulers. This lets you calculate the current Resolution of your monitor in pixels per inch (ppi), and enter it in the Resolution setting within the Bluebeam Revu Preferences:

  1. Open any PDF in Revu.
  2. Turn on the onscreen rulers by clicking View > Rulers or pressing Ctrl+R.
  3. Set the zoom level to 100% by clicking View > Actual Size or pressing Ctrl+8.
    The rulers will only be actual size at this zoom level.
  4. Use a ruler or tape measure to find the “Measured Distance” from the zero mark on the Revu ruler to another point along it. For example, 8 inches or 200 mm, which we’ll call the “Revu Ruler Distance.”
  5. Click Revu > Preferences or press Ctrl+K.
  6. In the Preferences dialog box, select Advanced > 2D Rendering and look for the Resolution setting near the bottom of the page.
    If this is the first time this calibration is being done, the default System Resolution of 96 ppi will be selected. However, if a custom calibration has previously been set, the Custom option will already be enabled, with a custom Resolution value in the ppi box.
  7. Click the Custom radio button and enter the result of the following formula in the Custom ppi field:

(Revu Ruler Distance ÷ Measured Distance) x the Current Resolution PPI

For Example:
(Revu Ruler Distance ÷ Measured Distance)xCurrent Resolution PPI=New Custom PPI
(8 in ÷ 8.25 in)x96=93.09
(200 mm ÷ 216 mm)x96=88.89

The Custom value cannot be set lower than 50 pixels per inch, which means calibration of some large screens isn’t possible. Below are the largest screens that can be configured, based on resolution.

  • Standard HD (1920×1080): 44 inches or 112 cm
  • WQHD or QHD (2560×1440): 58 inches or 147 cm
  • 4K or UHD (3840×2160): 88 inches or 224 cm

How-To

Revu 2019

Measurement

Revu 20

This article explains how you can calibrate Revu so that the onscreen PDF is the same size as it would on the printed page.

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