Chapter 14. Managing Paper Space Layouts

Remember that model space is the theoretically infinite 3D drawing environment where you locate most of the line work and annotation features that make up a drawing. To draw in model space, you select the Model tab at the bottom left of the drawing window as shown in Figure 14-1 to make it current.

To reiterate, paper space is the 2D environment where you lay out the drawing information created in model space for plotting/printing on the desired size of paper and at a specified scale factor. In effect, a layout represents what the drawing will look like when it is printed.

It is possible to have multiple layouts in a drawing, each one a different paper size and scale. A new AutoCAD drawing that is based on the default template file (acad.dwt) contains two generic layouts named Layout1 and Layout2.

The quickest and easiest way to switch between layouts is to select the desired layout tab on the bottom left of the drawing window shown in Figure 14-1.

The difference is that, using AutoCAD, the available paper sizes are determined by the limits of the layout’s associated plotting/printing hardware device. For instance, if you are printing on a printer whose maximum paper size capability is 8½″ × 11″ (A-size/letter), then an 8½″ × 11″ paper size is the maximum size you can specify for the layout. Applying this logic, a large-format plotter that is capable of printing up to a 36″ × 24″ drawing (D-size) has many more paper size settings available than the average 8½″ × 11″ office printer. Associating a printer/plotter with a layout and selecting the desired paper size are both controlled using the Page Setup Manager explained later in this chapter.

In Chapter 1 we used the analogy that an AutoCAD paper space layout can be thought of as a 2D sheet of paper that hovers over your 3D model space drawing information. Views of the model space information are created by cutting one or more holes referred to as layout viewports in the paper so that you can see the drawing model below. You scale the model space information displayed in the viewport by zooming in and out at a specific scale factor. It is even possible to create multiple viewports and specify a different scale factor for each individual viewport, as shown in Figure 14-4, allowing you to easily create multiscaled drawings.

Being able to create plots with differently scaled viewports is one of the primary benefits of using paper space layouts. This is something you simply can’t do in model space unless you scale the actual drawing information—which should be avoided at all costs. Remember that in AutoCAD, the key is to draw everything exactly as it exists in the real world.

You can also control the layer color, linetype, lineweight, transparency, and plot style properties per viewport using viewport layer overrides. Viewport layer overrides allow you to change the layer color, linetype, lineweight, transparency, and plot style properties in each viewport while retaining the original layer properties in model space and in the other layout viewports. Viewport layer overrides are discussed in detail later in this chapter.

When you switch to a layout for the first time, a single layout viewport is displayed on the page with a dashed line indicating the printable area as shown in Figure 14-5.

The first thing you need to do when you are setting up a layout is to specify the desired printer/plotter output device. Once you specify an output device, then you can select a paper size. Remember that the two are intimately related because the available paper sizes are determined by the capabilities of the currently associated printer/plotter. The printer/plotter, paper size, and most of the other plot settings are controlled via the page setup associated with the layout.

Page Setup Manager
Ribbon & Panel:	Output | Plot
Menu:	File | Page Setup Manager...
Command Line:	PAGESETUP
Command Alias:	None

To modify the settings for the page setup, you use the Page Setup Manager, which is explained in the next section.

• Display details of the current page setup

• Set another page setup current

• Modify an existing page setup

• Create a new page setup

• Import a page setup from another drawing

The Page Setup Manager dialog box is shown in Figure 14-6.

Current page displays the page setup that is applied to the current layout. By default it is set to <None>.

The Page setups box lists the page setups that can be modified or applied to the current layout.

By default, a page setup is automatically applied to each layout with the same name as the layout with an asterisk (*) added to the beginning and end of the layout name. For instance, the default page setups for the Layout1 and Layout2 layouts are *Layout1* and *Layout2*, respectively.

Any new or imported page setups are automatically added to the Page setups list. You can make a page setup current by double-clicking on it in the list or by highlighting the page setup and selecting the Set Current button.

The Selected page setup details area at the bottom of the dialog box displays the following information about the currently selected page setup:

• Device name Name of the plot device specified in the currently selected page setup

• Plotter Type of plot device specified in the currently selected page setup

• Plot size Plot size and orientation specified in the currently selected page setup

• Where Physical location of the output device specified in the currently selected page setup

• Description Description of the output device specified in the currently selected page setup

The Display when creating a new layout check box allows you to control whether the Page Setup Manager is displayed when a new layout tab is selected or a new layout is created.

The Page Setup dialog box is almost exactly the same as the Plot dialog box shown in Figure 14-8. In fact, the two dialog boxes control the same settings. The only differences between the two are:

• Changes made in the Page Setup dialog box are saved with the layout. Changes made in the Plot dialog box are not saved, unless you select the Apply to Layout button.

• You can plot from the Plot dialog box. You cannot plot from the Page Setup dialog box.

• The Plot dialog box can be toggled to display more plot options using the More Options arrow button at the bottom right of the dialog box as shown in Figure 14-8, or it can be set to display a limited number of options.

In this chapter, the main concern is controlling the paper size of the layout so that you can properly set up a drawing for plotting (discussed in Chapter 15). For this reason, most of the other plot-related page setup settings are mentioned only briefly. The following sections explain primarily how to associate an output device so that you can select the desired layout paper size.

Selecting a Printer/Plotter Device

The Printer/plotter area of the Page Setup dialog box allows you to specify a printer/plotter by selecting it from the Name: list box shown in Figure 14-9.

The Name: list box provides a list of the available printers/plotters you can associate with a layout. The list includes both .PC3 files and system printers that are prefixed with different icons—a plotter icon for a .PC3 file and a printer icon for a system printer.

The Properties button displays the Plotter Configuration Editor so you can view or modify the current plotter configuration.

Other information provided about the currently selected printer/plotter includes the following:

• Plotter Displays the current name

• Where Displays the physical location or port

• Description Displays a description if available

The Preview window displays the plot area relative to the paper size and the printable area.

Selecting a Paper Size

The Paper size list box displays the standard paper sizes that are available for the associated printer/plotter. Every time a different printer/plotter is selected, the Paper size list is updated with the paper sizes supported by that device. If no plotter is selected so that the Name: list box is set to None, a list of all the standard paper sizes is provided.

If you are plotting a raster image, such as a BMP or TIFF file, the size of the plot is specified in pixels, not in inches or millimeters.

Other Page Setup Settings

The following is a brief overview of a few of the other page setup settings.

The Plot area settings determine the area of the drawing to plot. The What to plot: list box provides five different options:

• Display The current screen display

• Extents The extents of the drawing

• Layout The current layout

• View A named view (must have at least one named view to be enabled)

• Window User-specified window area

The Plot area is typically set to Layout for a paper space layout. The other Plot area settings are more commonly used when plotting in model space.

The Plot offset area allows you to offset the plot area relative to the lower-left corner of the printable area or the edge of the paper.

The Plot scale area controls the ratio of the plotted units to the drawing units. Most of the standard drafting scales are listed in the Scale: list box. The default scale is 1:1 when plotting a layout.

Using named page setups also allows you to plot the same layout more than one way. You can apply different named page setups to the same layout so that there are different output results each time. For example, you might create different named page setups to plot to printers/plotters that are in different locations.

To create a new named page setup, select the New... button in the Page Setup Manager dialog box. The New Page Setup dialog box shown in Figure 14-11 is displayed.

Enter the name for the new page setup in the New page setup name: text box. The default name is Setup followed by an integer representing a sequential number (i.e., Setup1, Setup2). You should enter a descriptive name indicating the page setup’s purpose.

The Start with: list allows you to select a page setup to use as a starting point for the new page setup:

• <None> No page setup is used as a starting point.

• <Default output device> The default output device specified on the Plot and Publish tab of the Options dialog box is set as the printer in the new page setup.

• <Previous plot> The new page setup uses the settings specified in the last plot.

When you select the OK button at the bottom of the New Page Setup dialog box, the Page Setup dialog box shown earlier in Figure 14-7 is displayed using the settings saved with the selected starting point page setup. You can then modify any settings if necessary. When you exit the Page Setup dialog box, the new named page setup is displayed in the list of page setups in the Page Setup Manager as shown in Figure 14-12.

The Page setups list box lists the page setups that can be imported from the selected drawing and whether they are located in model space or paper space. The Name column lists the name of the page setup, and the Location column lists the page setup location (model or layout).

The Details area at the bottom of the dialog box displays information about the selected page setup.

• Device name The name of the plot device specified in the currently selected page setup

• Plotter The type of plot device specified in the currently selected page setup

• Plot size The plot size and orientation specified in the currently selected page setup

• Where Physical location of the output device specified in the currently selected page setup

• Description Description of the output device specified in the currently selected page setup

Select OK to import the selected page setup.

Exercise 14-1 Using the Page Setup Manager

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Open the building floor plan drawing named EX14-1 in the student data files to display the building floor plan shown in Figure 14-14.

To access student data files, go to www.pearsondesigncentral.com.

Select the Layout1 tab so that paper space is active and Layout1 is the current layout.

Use the Page Setup Manager to set the associated plotter to None and the paper size to ARCH D (36.00 × 24.00 Inches).

Select the Layout2 tab, and switch to the Layout2 layout.

Use the Page Setup Manager to set the associated plotter to None and the paper size to ANSI B (17.00 × 11.00 Inches).

Save the drawing as CH14_EXERCISE.

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A layout viewport is treated just like other basic AutoCAD drawing objects such as lines, circles, and arcs. Similar to drawing other AutoCAD objects, a new viewport assumes the current object properties such as layer, color, and linetype when it is created.

After a viewport is created, you can modify it using any of the standard modify commands (ERASE, MOVE, COPY, SCALE, etc.). You can even use grips to resize a viewport quickly using the STRETCH option.

You can create one or more layout viewports using the MVIEW, -VPORTS, or VPORTS command. Creating layout viewports using each of these commands is explained in the following sections.

Single Viewport
Ribbon & Panel:	Layout | Layout Viewports
Menu:	Views | Viewports | 1 Viewport
Command Line:	MVIEW VPORTS -VPORTS
Command Alias:	MV

When you start either command, AutoCAD prompts you to Specify corner of viewport or as shown in Figure 14-15.

Select the first corner of the viewport or enter a coordinate value at the keyboard. AutoCAD then prompts you to Specify opposite corner: as shown in Figure 14-16 so you can specify the second point.

The viewport is immediately zoomed to the extents of the model space drawing information as shown in Figure 14-17.

At this point, the viewport is not set at any standard scale. You must manually set the viewport scale factor using the techniques explained later in this chapter.

To create a polygonal viewport, start the MVIEW or -VPORTS command and select the Polygonal option. AutoCAD prompts you to Specify start point:. After selecting the first point, AutoCAD prompts you to Specify next point or so you can start selecting points and define the viewport polygon as shown in Figure 14-18.

Polygonal Viewport
Ribbon & Panel:	Layout | Layout Viewports
Menu:	Views | Viewports | Polygonal Viewport
Command Line:	MVIEW VPORTS
Command Alias:	MV

To finish the polygon viewport, you close it by selecting the Close option. The Close option draws a viewport segment from the last current point to the start point and exits the command. Similar to a rectangular viewport, a polygonal viewport is immediately zoomed to the extents of the model space drawing information as shown in Figure 14-19.

The Arc option allows you to create arc segments when you are defining a polygonal viewport. You can pick a second point to define the arc, or you can select from a number of arc suboptions. The arc creation suboptions are the same as those used with the PLINE command.

The Length option creates a viewport segment a specified length at the same angle as the previous segment. If the previous viewport segment is an arc, the new segment is drawn tangent to that arc segment.

Object
Ribbon & Panel:	Layout | Layout Viewports
Menu:	Views | Viewports | Object
Command Line:	MVIEW, VPORTS
Command Alias:	MV

The Undo option will undo the most recent viewport segment.

• Polyline

• Circle

• Ellipse

• Region

• Spline

To convert an object into a layout viewport, start the MVIEW or -VPORTS command, and select the Object option. AutoCAD prompts you to Select object to clip viewport: so you can pick the object to convert. A circle is shown converted to a viewport in Figure 14-20.

New Viewport
Ribbon & Panel:	Layout | Layout Viewports
Menu:	Views | Viewports | New Viewports...
Command Line:	VPORTS
Command Alias:	None

The Standard viewports: box on the left displays a list of standard viewport configurations that you can select. The Preview window displays a preview of the selected viewport configuration.

The Viewport Spacing: box allows you to specify the spacing you want to apply between the viewports for the selected configuration. The Preview window is updated to show the results of the spacing indicated.

The Setup: list box allows you to switch between a 2D and a 3D viewport setup. When you select 3D, standard orthogonal 3D views are applied to the selected viewport configuration. The Change view to: list box replaces the view in the selected viewport with the view you select from the list. The Visual Style: list box allows you to change the visual style used for the viewport. It should typically be set to 2D Wireframe, unless you are working in 3D.

Select OK after you have specified the desired configuration and spacing to exit the Viewports dialog box. After the dialog box is closed, AutoCAD asks you to specify the rectangular area within which to fit the viewport configuration by prompting you to pick two corner points.

Exercise 14-2 Creating Layout Viewports

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Continue from Exercise 14-1.

Select the Layout1 tab so that paper space is active and Layout1 is the current layout.

Create a new layer named Viewport, set its Plot property to No plot, and make it the current layer.

Create a rectangular viewport using the MVIEW or -VPORTS command that is the same size as the printable area. Hint: The Fit option creates a viewport the same size as the printable area.

Select the Layout2 tab and switch to the Layout2 layout.

Create a rectangular viewport using the MVIEW or -VPORTS command that is the same size as the printable area.

Save the drawing.

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• Select the PAPER button on the status bar.

• Enter the MSPACE or MS command.

• Double-click with your mouse inside a viewport.

The first two methods work best when you are working with a single layout viewport. If you have more than one viewport, you must double-click with your mouse inside the viewport you want to make current. When a viewport is current, its borderline becomes bold, and your mouse pointer changes to the cursor crosshairs mode as shown in Figure 14-22.

When a viewport is current, you can work on the model space drawing just like you are in model space—although it can be somewhat cumbersome working “through” the viewport. The ability to maximize viewports, which is discussed later in the chapter, makes this process much more user-friendly.

• Select the MODEL button on the status bar.

• Enter the PSPACE or PS command.

• Double-click with your mouse outside all viewports.

All information that is created when paper space is active and no viewports are current is added to paper space exclusively (TILEMODE = 0). In this mode, it is possible to add information (such as titles and drawing scales) directly above a viewport. This approach allows you to add information to your drawing that is displayed on the plotted drawing but does not need to be part of the model space design.

Zooming in on and out of a layout viewport to a specific scale factor is done using the XP option of the ZOOM command.

The X in the XP option represents a multiplication sign, and the P stands for paper space. The number preceding the XP is the value the view is scaled relative to the paper space scale, which is 1:1. For example, to create a viewport that is scaled at 2:1, you would enter 2XP in response to the ZOOM command. In order to create a view that is scaled 1:2, you would enter 1/2XP or .5XP.

Using the ZOOM command with the XP option to set the viewport scale is fine when you are working with simple scales such as 2:1 or 1:2. Converting standard drafting scales such as 1/4″ = 1′-0″ or 1–12″ = 1′-0″ to their equivalent scale factors takes a little more time and effort. Luckily, AutoCAD provides some easier ways to set a viewport’s scale, which are explained in the following sections.

The viewport scale is displayed on the status bar only when a viewport is current. You can make a viewport current by double-clicking in the viewport with your mouse. Select the desired scale factor from the list, and the viewport is zoomed in or out by the preestablished scale factor.

The Scale List on the left displays the list of currently defined scales. Selecting a scale from the list displays the ratio of paper units to drawing units at the bottom of the Scale List.

The Add... button allows you to add a custom scale to the list via the Add Scale dialog box shown in Figure 14-26. In this dialog box:

• The Scale name area is where you enter the descriptive or numeric name as you want it to appear in the list in the Name appearing in scale list text box.

• The Scale properties area is where you set the ratio of paper units to drawing units by entering the numeric values in the Paper units: and Drawing units: text boxes.

The Edit... button in the Edit Drawing Scales dialog box allows you to edit an existing scale via the Edit Scale dialog box shown in Figure 14-27. In this dialog box:

• The Scale name area is where you update the descriptive or numeric name as you want it to appear in the list in the Name appearing in scale list text box.

• The Scale properties area is where you change the ratio of paper units to drawing units by entering new numeric values in the Paper units: and Drawing units: text boxes.

The Move Up button in the Edit Drawing Scales dialog box moves the currently selected scale in the Scale List up one position so that it appears in that position in all scale list boxes. The Move Down button moves the currently selected scale in the Scale List down one position so that it appears in that position in all scale list boxes.

The Delete button permanently removes the currently selected scale from the Scale List. The Reset button deletes any custom scales that were added and restores the default list of standard AutoCAD scales.

• Select Lock or Unlock from the drop-down menu on the Layout Viewports panel on the Layout tab of the ribbon.

• Select viewport and right-click to display the shortcut menu and set the Display locked menu item to Yes.

• Set the Display locked property to Yes via the Properties palette.

• Use the MVIEW command’s Lock option and select the viewport.

To unlock a viewport, select the Lock/Unlock Viewport button or use any of the options listed above and set the Locked property to Off or No.

Exercise 14-3 Setting the Viewport Scale

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Continue from Exercise 14-2.

Select the Layout1 tab so that paper space is active and Layout1 is the current layout.

Make the viewport created in Exercise 14-2 the active viewport, and Zoom Extents so that the entire floor plan fills the viewport.

Set the viewport scale to 1/4″ = 1′-0″ by selecting it from the Viewport Scale list on the right side of the status bar.

Select the Lock/Unlock Viewport button to the left of the Viewport Scale list to lock the viewport.

Make paper space the active drawing environment by selecting the MODEL button on the status bar and toggling it to PAPER.

Layout1 should now look similar to Figure 14-29. It now is 1/4″ = 1′-0″ scale drawing on a D-size sheet (36″ × 24″).

Select the Layout2 tab, and switch to the Layout2 layout.

Make the viewport created in Exercise 14-2 the active viewport, and Zoom Extents so that the entire floor plan fills the viewport.

Set the viewport scale to 1/8″ = 1′-0″ by selecting it from the Viewport Scale list on the right side of the status bar.

Select the Lock/Unlock Viewport button to the left of the Viewport Scale list to lock the viewport.

Layout2 should now look similar to Figure 14-30. It is now a 1/8″ = 1′-0″ scale drawing on a B-size sheet (17″ × 11″).

Make paper space the active drawing environment by selecting the MODEL button on the status bar and toggling it to PAPER.

Save the drawing.

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The most popular viewport layer override is the ability to freeze a layer in an individual viewport. This allows you to leave all of the layers on (thawed) in model space but then freeze different layers in each viewport to create multiple views of the same model space information and create different drawings. For example, one layout could be used to display the electrical plan information, and another layout might display only the HVAC plan information. The possibilities are endless, especially when combined with the concept of external reference drawings.

There are two different ways to freeze layers per viewport: in the current viewport or in any new viewports. Freezing layers in the New VP Freeze column means that any information on the selected layers will not be displayed when you create any new layout viewports in the future.

Freezing layers in the current viewport is most common. Obviously, to freeze layers in the current viewport, you must first make the viewport current. After the viewport is current, start the LAYER command to display the Layer Properties Manager.

The viewport layer override columns are displayed at the right before the Description column as shown in Figure 14-31.

To freeze a layer in the current viewport, click on the sun icon in the VP Freeze column, and change it to a snowflake icon, just as with the regular Freeze option. The selected layer is frozen in the current viewport as shown in Figure 14-32.

The same technique can be used to override the other layer settings (color, linetype, lineweight, transparency, and plot style). Simply make the viewport current and select the desired overrides.

You can remove viewport layer overrides using the right-click menu in the Layer list in the Layer Properties Manager. The VPLAYEROVERRIDESMODE system variable allows you to temporarily turn off all viewport layer overrides.

Viewport Clip
Ribbon & Panel:	Layout | Layout Viewports
Pull-down Menu:	None
Command Line:	VPCLIP
Command Alias:	None

Using the VPCLIP command, you can either select a different object to convert into a viewport, or you can redefine the viewport using a new polygon viewport.

When you start the VPCLIP command and a viewport is not already selected, AutoCAD prompts you to Select viewport to clip: so you can select a viewport. Once a viewport is selected, AutoCAD prompts you to Select clipping object or . You can either select an object to convert into a viewport, or you can define a new polygon window by selecting the Polygon option. The options for creating a polygon viewport are the same as explained earlier in the chapter. The new viewport that is created to replace the existing viewport is referred to as a clipping boundary, as shown in Figure 14-34.

The Delete option deletes the clipping boundary of a selected viewport. The Delete option is available only if the selected viewport has already been clipped once using the VPCLIP command.

• Select the viewport, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and set the Display Viewport Objects menu item to No.

• Set the viewport’s On property to No via the Properties palette.

• Use the MVIEW command’s Off option and select the viewport.

A viewport that has been turned off is considered inactive. You can only have up to 64 viewports active at one time.

To make a viewport active again, use any of the options listed above to toggle the viewport’s Display property to On or Yes.

• Select the Maximize Viewport button on the status bar.

• Double-click on the viewport outline.

• Select the viewport, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and select the Maximize Viewport menu item.

• Type VPMAX<Enter>.

Any method enlarges the viewport to fit the drawing window display area and changes the border to a thick red hashed line (see Figure 14-35).

To pan and zoom when a viewport is maximized and not change the original viewport display when you switch back to the viewport, use the Minimize Viewport options below. When a viewport is maximized, it is almost as though you were working in model space on the Model tab.

There are four ways to restore the maximized layout viewport back to its original size and display:

• Select the Minimize Viewport button on the status bar.

• Double-click on the maximized viewport.

• Select the viewport, right-click to display the shortcut menu, and select the Minimize Viewport menu item.

• Type VPMIN<Enter>.

Exercise 14-4 Working with Multiple Annotation Scales

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Continue from Exercise 14-3.

Create a text style named Notes with the following settings:

a. Font = Simplex.shx AutoCAD font

b. Annotative should be checked

c. Paper text height = 0.125″

Create the following layer:

Select the Model tab so that model space is active.

Set the Notes text style current on the Annotation panel.

Set the A-Anno-Note layer current in the Layer list box.

Set the annotation scale to 1/8″ = 1′-0″ by selecting it from the Annotation Scale list on the status bar.

Create the text shown in Figure 14-36 using the Center justification option.

Select the Add scales to annotative objects when the annotation scale changes icon on the left of the Annotation Scale button on the status bar so it is on.

Set the annotation scale to 1/4″ = 1′-0″ by selecting it from the list on the status bar. All text in the drawing should scale down by 1/2.

Center the 1/4″ = 1′-0″ text in each room by using the upper left grip to move each piece of text individually of its 1/8″ = 1′-0″ scale representation as shown in Figure 14-37.

Select the Layout1 tab so that paper space is active and Layout1 is the current layout. Only the 1/4″ = 1′-0″ text is visible.

Select the Layout2 tab, and switch to the Layout2 layout. Only the 1/8″ = 1′-0″ text is visible.

Make paper space the active drawing environment by double-clicking outside the viewport.

Save the drawing.

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• Create a new layout

• Rename a layout

• Move or copy a layout

• Delete a layout

One of the easiest ways to accomplish any of these tasks is to rely on the layout’s right-click shortcut menu. Right-clicking with your mouse on any layout tab displays the shortcut menu shown in Figure 14-38.

New Layout
Ribbon & Panel:	None
Menu:	Insert | Layout | Layout from Template
Command Line:	LAYOUT
Command Alias:	LO

The LAYOUT command also provides most of the same functionality, but as you might expect, it’s not quite as user-friendly. Emphasis is placed on using the right-click menu where appropriate in the following sections.

• Add a new generic layout tab with the default settings so that the settings must be updated via the Page Setup Manager.

• Import a layout from an existing drawing file (DWG), drawing template file (DWT), or design exchange format file (DXF).

• Use the Create Layout wizard that steps you through the layout setup.

• Copy an existing layout tab in the current drawing file and rename it.

The first three methods are described in the following sections. Copying a layout is covered a little later.

You can add a generic layout by selecting the Layout tab on the right with the plus “+” icon, by right-clicking and selecting New Layout from the shortcut menu, or by using the New option of the LAYOUT command.

AutoCAD prompts you to Enter new Layout name <Layout3>: if you add a new layout via the Insert menu or the LAYOUT command. The default layout name is “Layout” followed by an integer representing the layout number in the sequence.

When you select New Layout from the right-click shortcut menu, a layout is added with the default name, and you must rename it. Renaming layouts is covered later in this chapter.

Layout From Template
Ribbon & Panel:	None
Menu:	Insert | Layout | Layout from Template
Command Line:	LAYOUT
Command Alias:	LO

You can import a layout by selecting Layout from Template... from the Layout cascade menu on the Insert menu, by right-clicking and selecting From template... from the shortcut menu, or by using the Template option of the LAYOUT command.

AutoCAD displays the Select Template From File standard file dialog box so you can select the file from which you want to import the layout. Selecting the Open button gets a list of the layouts in the selected file and displays them in the Insert Layout(s) dialog box shown in Figure 14-39.

Select one or more layouts you want to import in the Layout name(s): list box and select OK. The selected layout(s) are imported with all their settings and drawing information and added to the right end of the layout tabs at the bottom of the drawing window.

Create Layout Wizard
Ribbon & Panel:	None
Menu:	Insert | Layout | Create Layout Wizard
Command Line:	LAYOUTWIZARD
Command Alias:	None

You can start the Create Layout wizard by selecting Create Layout Wizard from the Layout cascade menu on the Insert menu or by using the LAYOUTWIZARD command. The Create Layout dialog box is displayed with the Begin step displayed as shown in Figure 14-40.

The steps that the wizard will take you through are listed on the left in sequence from top to bottom with the arrow to the left indicating the current step. Select the Next button to continue to the next step or the Back button to return to a previous step if you want to verify or change anything. The setup steps and options are as follows:

• Begin Allows you to enter the desired name for the new layout

• Printer Allows you to select a system printer/plotter output device

• Paper Size Allows you to specify a paper size based on the printer selected in the previous step and switch drawing units between millimeters and inches

• Orientation Allows you to switch between the portrait and landscape paper orientation modes

• Title Block Allows you to insert a predefined title block in the layout as a block or an xref. The title block drawings listed are located in the default AutoCAD Template folder

• Define Viewports Allows you to select a layout viewport configuration and set the viewport scale from a list of predefined standard scales

• Pick Location Allows you to define the area to fill with the viewport configuration selected in the previous step by picking two corner points. If no location is selected, AutoCAD uses the layout’s printable area

• Finish Exits the Create Layout wizard and creates the new layout with the selected settings

You can also rename a layout using the Rename option of the LAYOUT command. Using the LAYOUT command requires that you enter the layout to change in response to Enter layout to rename <Layout1>: where the current layout is the default name. AutoCAD then prompts you to Enter new layout name: so you can enter the new name.

Select the layout from the list in the Before layout: list box that you want to locate the current layout before. When you select OK, the layout will be moved or copied so it appears as the layout tab directly preceding, or to the left of, the selected tab.

If you want to make a copy of a layout and move it at the same time, select the Create a copy check box on the bottom of the dialog box. AutoCAD creates a copy of the layout with the same name as the current layout with a numerical suffix representing the sequence appended in parentheses. For instance, Layout1 becomes Layout1(2).

You can also delete a layout using the Delete option of the LAYOUT command. Using the LAYOUT command requires that you enter the layout to delete in response to Enter name of layout to delete <Layout1>: where the current layout is the default name.

Exercise 14-5 Managing Layouts

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Continue from Exercise 14-4.

Right-click on a layout tab, and select the From template... menu item on the Layout right-click menu in order to insert a new Architectural D-Size layout from an existing AutoCAD drawing template file.

To access student data files, go to www.pearsondesigncentral.com.

Select the Architectural D-Size.dwt template file in the student data files in the Select Template From File dialog box and the Open button to display the Insert Layout(s) dialog box.

Select the Architectural Title Block layout, and select the OK button to insert the layout.

Select the Architectural Title Block tab, and switch to the Architectural Title Block layout.

Set the viewport scale to 1/4″ = 1′-0″ using the techniques learned in Exercise 14-3, and center the floor plan in the viewport so it looks similar to Figure 14-43.

Rename the Architectural Title Block layout to ANSI D Title Block by right-clicking with your mouse on the Architectural Title Block tab and selecting Rename from the shortcut menu.

Rename the Layout2 layout to ANSI B Title Block by right-clicking with your mouse on the Layout2 tab and selecting Rename from the shortcut menu.

Delete the Layout1 layout by right-clicking with your mouse on the Layout1 tab and selecting Delete from the shortcut menu.

Save the drawing.

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Setting PSLTSCALE to 1 (on) tells AutoCAD to scale the linetype definitions of all the objects displayed in a viewport by the inverse of the viewport scale factor as shown in Figure 14-45.

Be aware that the global linetype scale controlled using the LTSCALE system variable is still in effect when paper space linetype scale is turned on and can have some unintended effects. Typically, the LTSCALE system variable is set to 1 when paper space linetype scale is being used (PSLTSCALE = 1).

Exercise 14-6 Paper Space Linetype Scaling

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Continue from Exercise 14-5.

Create the following layers:

Set the PSLTSCALE system variable to 1 so paper space linetype scaling is turned on.

Set the LTSCALE system variable to 1 to so that global linetype scaling is turned off.

Switch to the ANSI D Title Block layout.

Maximize the viewport using the Maximize Viewport button on the status bar so you can work in model space through the viewport.

Set the A-Roof-Otln layer current in the Layer list box.

Create the roof outline as shown in Figure 14-46. Do not draw dimensions.

Set the A-Site-Prop layer current in the Layer list box.

Create the property line as shown in Figure 14-46. Do not draw dimensions.

Switch to the ANSI B Title Block layout.

The roof outline and property line should also appear scaled correctly in the 1/8″ = 1′-0″ viewport.

Save the drawing.

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As you found out in this chapter, using paper space to lay out a drawing is the industry standard for good reason. Using the techniques and methods you learned in this chapter will enable you to take advantage of benefits that include:

• Creating multiple layouts that are different sheet sizes

• Associating multiple printer/plotter devices to create different output results

• Setting up layouts with multiple scale views

• Controlling layer visibility individually per layout viewport

• Modifying viewports using grips and standard AutoCAD commands

In addition, we learned how to solve the problem of displaying noncontinuous linetypes (i.e., Hidden, Dashed, Center) at different scale factors on the same drawing using the paper space linetype scaling feature. When the PSLTSCALE system variable is set to 1 and paper space linetype scaling is on, noncontinuous lines appear exactly the same in different scale viewports.

1. Most of a drawing’s line work and annotation features are drawn in:

a. Paper space

b. Model space

c. Drawing space

d. None of the above

2. The paper size of a layout is controlled via its:

a. Drawing limits

b. Associated plotting device

c. b and d

d. Page setup

3. The user-defined window created in a paper space layout that allows you to view and scale information in model space is referred to as a:

a. Layout portal

b. Layout viewport

c. Layout window

d. Layout aperture

4. The printable area of a layout is represented by:

a. Shadow

b. Edge of the layout

c. Dashed line

d. Drawing limits

5. The command used to create a layout viewport is:

a. MVIEW

b. VPORTS

c. -VPORTS

d. All of the above

6. The layout viewport creation option that creates a viewport the same size as a layout’s printable area is:

a. Polygonal

b. Object

c. Fit

d. Restore

7. To make a layout viewport current:

a. Double-click with the mouse inside the viewport

b. Type MS<Enter>

c. Type PS<Enter>

d. a and b

8. The scale of a layout viewport can be set using:

a. The Viewport Scale list on the status bar

b. The ZOOM command to specify a zoom scale factor

c. The Properties palette

d. All of the above

9. To prevent a viewport scale from changing accidentally, it is best to:

a. Turn the viewport off

b. Work only in model space

c. Freeze the viewport layer

d. Lock the viewport display

10. The system variable used to control whether paper space linetype scaling is on or off is:

a. PSLTSCALE

b. LTSCALE

c. PAPERSCALE

d. All of the above

1. True or False: Most drawing line work and annotation features are drawn in model space.

2. True or False: You cannot locate any drawing information in a paper space layout.

3. True or False: The associated printer/plotter device determines what paper sizes are available.

4. True or False: Layout viewport scale is controlled by zooming in and out in a viewport.

5. True or False: Setting the associated plot device to None allows you select any standard paper size.

6. True or False: A layout viewport is treated like most other AutoCAD drawing objects (lines, circles, etc.).

7. True or False: It is not possible to create circular viewports.

8. True or False: It is possible to add your own custom scales to the AutoCAD standard Scale List.

9. True or False: It is possible to freeze and thaw layer information in each individual viewport.

10. True or False: The shape of a viewport cannot be changed; it must be deleted and then re-created in the new shape.

1. Open drawing P13-1 from Chapter 13.

2. Right-click on a layout tab and select From template... from the shortcut menu to import a layout.

3. Open the Architectural D-Size.dwt drawing template in the student data files, and import the Architectural Title Block layout from the template.

To access student data files, go to www.pearsondesigncentral.com.

4. Select the Architectural Title Block layout to set it current. There is a single viewport in this layout. Make the viewport current by double-clicking inside the viewport boundary.

5. Zoom Extents so the drawing fills the viewport, and set the Viewport Scale to 1/2″ = 1′-0″. Position the drawing within the viewport so it matches Figure 14-47.

6. Switch back to paper space by double-clicking outside the viewport.

7. Delete the Layout1 and Layout2 layouts.

8. Save the drawing as P14-1.

Project 14-2: B-Size Mechanical Border, continued from Chapter 13 [INTERMEDIATE]

1. Open template file Mechanical B-Size.DWT from Chapter 13.

2. Press the <Ctrl>+A keyboard combination to select everything in the drawing.

3. Press the <Ctrl>+<Shift>+C keyboard combination, and specify 0,0 as the base point.

4. Press the <Del> key or use the ERASE command to delete all the selected objects.

5. Select the Layout1 tab to switch to paper space.

6. Erase the existing default viewport.

7. Use the Page Setup Manager to set the associated plotter to None and the paper size to ANSI B (17.00 × 11.00 Inches).

8. Press the <Ctrl>+V keyboard combination and enter –.25,–.75 when AutoCAD prompts you to Specify insertion point: to paste the title border in paper space.

9. Create a polygonal viewport on layer Viewport at the inside border edges as shown in Figure 14-48.

10. Rename the Layout1 layout to Mechanical B-Size and delete the Layout2 layout.

11. Save the drawing as a template file named Mechanical B-Size.DWT.

Project 14-3: Architectural D-Size Border, continued from Chapter 13 [ADVANCED]

1. Open template file Architectural D-Size.DWT from Chapter 13.

2. Press the <Ctrl>+A keyboard combination to select everything in the drawing.

3. Press the <Ctrl>+<Shift>+C keyboard combination, and select the bottom left corner of the border corner tick marks using the Endpoint object snap.

4. Press the <Del> key or use the ERASE command to delete all the selected objects.

5. Select the Layout1 tab to switch to paper space.

6. Erase the existing default viewport.

7. Use the Page Setup Manager to set the associated plotter to None and the paper size to ARCH D (36.00 × 24.00 Inches).

8. Press the <Ctrl>+V keyboard combination and enter –.25, –.75 when AutoCAD prompts you to Specify insertion point: to paste the title border in paper space.

9. Create a rectangular viewport on layer A-Anno-Vprt at the inside border edges as shown in Figure 14-49.

10. Rename the Layout1 layout to Architectural D-Size, and delete the Layout2 layout.

11. Make sure that paper space is the current drawing environment by double-clicking outside the viewport.

12. Save the drawing to a template file as Architectural D-Size.DWT.

Project 14-4: Optical Mount—English Units, continued from Chapter 13 [INTERMEDIATE]

1. Open drawing P13-4 from Chapter 13.

2. Select From template... from the Layout right-click menu to import a layout.

3. Import the Mechanical B-Size layout and border from the Mechanical B-Size.dwt template file created in Project 14-2.

4. Select the Mechanical B-Size layout to make it current.

5. Set the viewport scale to 2:1 and center the view as shown in Figure 14-50.

6. Lock the viewport display so the view scale doesn’t change.

7. Delete the Layout1 and Layout2 layouts.

8. Save the drawing as P14-4.

Project 14-5: Residential Architectural Plan, continued from Chapter 13 [ADVANCED]

1. Open drawing P13-5 from Chapter 13.

2. Select From template... from the Layout right-click menu to import a layout.

3. Import the Architectural D-Size layout and border from the Architectural D-Size.dwt template file created in Project 14-3.

4. Select the Architectural D-Size layout to make it current.

5. Set the viewport scale to 1/4″ = 1′-0″ and center the view as shown in Figure 14-51.

6. Lock the viewport display so the view scale doesn’t change.

7. Delete the Layout1 and Layout2 layouts.

8. Save the drawing as P14-5.