Base Plate Generator — 1:1 Drilling Templates

Enter your base plate dimensions and hole pattern, then download an exact, full-scale drilling template as PDF or SVG — ready to print on adhesive paper and use directly on the steel.

Step 1 - Plate dimensions.

Plate

Step 2 - Material. Descriptive only: it is printed on the title block and never changes the geometry or assumes mechanical properties.

Material

Step 3 - Hole pattern.

Hole pattern

2 / 6 / 8 / circular patterns coming soon

Drilling RPM →

Looks up wrench/socket info only - it never changes the hole diameter by itself.

Step 4 - Drawing info (title block / cajetin). Nothing here is required - saved in this browser only, so you don't have to retype it next time.

Drawing data

Step 5 - Company logo (optional). Kept in this browser only (never uploaded until you generate a file) and converted automatically so it fits cleanly in the title block without distortion.

Logo

Step 6 - Preview. Check the live 1:1 preview on the right - it updates automatically as you edit any step. Use the zoom controls to inspect details; this never changes the exported file’s real-world size.

Plate weight →

Step 7 - Export.

IMPORTANT: print at 100%. Turn off "Fit to page", "Shrink/Enlarge" or any automatic scaling.

PDF export

SVG is always exported as a single vector file at true 1:1 size (tiling applies to printed PDF pages only).

SCALE 1:1
Fill in the form and click Generate template to see a live 1:1 preview here.

Zooming and panning only affect this on-screen preview. Downloaded files always keep exact real-world dimensions.

How it works

  1. Enter plate dimensions.
  2. Define hole pattern.
  3. Generate template.
  4. Download PDF/SVG.
  5. Print at 100%.

Features

Frequently asked questions

What is a base plate?

A base plate is a flat steel plate, usually welded to the bottom of a column, post or piece of equipment, that distributes load into a foundation and is fixed down with anchor bolts through a pattern of drilled holes.

How do I create a base plate drilling template?

Enter the plate width, length and thickness, choose a hole pattern (centered or measured from the edges), set the hole diameter and spacing, then generate the template. The tool validates the geometry and produces a 1:1 scale PDF and SVG you can print or send to a fabricator.

How do I print a template at 1:1 scale?

Open the downloaded PDF and, in your print dialog, choose "Actual size" or "100%" and make sure "Fit to page" or "Scale to fit" is turned OFF. Any automatic scaling will change the physical dimensions of the printed template.

What does "print at 100%" mean?

It means the printer reproduces the PDF page exactly as sized, with no scaling applied. Most PDF viewers scale documents to fit the page by default, which would make a base plate template physically inaccurate.

How do I verify the printed scale?

Every generated template includes a calibration line labeled "100 mm". After printing, measure that line with a ruler. If it reads exactly 100 mm, the page was printed at true 1:1 scale.

Can I generate anchor bolt patterns?

The current version supports a 4-hole rectangular pattern, centered or defined from the plate edges, which covers common anchor bolt layouts. Additional patterns (6, 8 holes, circular bolt circles, custom XY coordinates) are planned for future versions.

Can I export SVG?

Yes. Every template can be downloaded as a vector SVG using physical millimetre units, in addition to the 1:1 PDF.

Can I use the template for steel fabrication?

The template is designed to be printed and used as a physical marking/drilling guide, or as a reference for a fabricator. It generates geometry only - it does not perform structural design, load calculations, or replace engineering review where that is required.