Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
for creating the two different types of viewports. For this chapter, make sure that
you're in paper space when you create viewports.
Paper space viewports are assigned drawing scales, and you can have multiple view-
ports with different scales on the same layout. For example, one viewport can show the
floor plan of an exhibit space at 1/4" to one foot, and another viewport can show an en-
larged view of a display cabinet at 1"=1'. Because the individual viewports are scaled,
the entire layout can be plotted at 1:1.
The Create Layout Wizard is fine when you're starting out, but most real drawings have
unique,
non
-standardized arrangements of viewports. When creating layouts, it's often
easiest to create viewports from scratch. The following procedure explains how:
1. Using one of the techniques described in the “Creating a layout” section, earlier
in this chapter, create a new layout in your drawing.
For example, click Quick View Layouts to display the preview images, and then
right-click any of the images and choose New Layout. A new layout is added to the
end of the image strip.
2. Click the image for the new layout to open it.
A new layout appears in the drawing window, showing the default sheet area and a
single rectangular viewport centered on the sheet. You aren't going to use this view-
port.
3. Move the crosshairs over the viewport boundary and click to select it. Press the
Delete key.
Although they don't behave like other drawing objects, viewports
are
objects, just
like lines or circles. And like any other drawing objects, they can be selected and
moved, copied, arrayed — or deleted.
4. On the Ribbon, click the View tab; then, in the Viewports panel, choose Rectan-
gular.
AutoCAD prompts you to pick the first corner for the new viewport.
You must be in paper space for these steps to work as described. If the
Rectangular button (I know, they're
all
rectangular — I mean the one that says
“Rectangular”) is grayed out, you're still in model space.
5. Pick a point somewhere on the blank page to locate the first corner of the new
viewport.
AutoCAD prompts you to pick the second corner.
6. Pick another point to place the second corner of the new viewport.
