Module 18: Layouts – Part 1

Learning Outcomes

When you have completed this module, you will be able to:

  1. Describe Model space and Paper space and explain how they are used in AutoCAD.
  2. Describe a Layout and explain how they are used in an AutoCAD drawing.
  3. Apply the MSPACE and PSPACE commands to change the working space.
  4. Describe a viewport and explain how to create, edit, lock, and set the viewport scale.
  5. Apply the MVIEW command to create viewports on layout drawings.

Model and Paper Space

Up to this point in the book, you have been drawing Model space. In this module, Paper space and layouts will be introduced. The ideal way to work in AutoCAD is to draw all real objects in Model space and draw all objects that not real, in Paper space.

Model space is a limitless three-dimensional space where the real objects of the model are drawn. For example, if you are drawing a house, everything that is part of the house such as the walls, windows, doors, etc. are drawn in Model space. All parts of the house would be drawn at full scale or full size, exactly as they exist in real life.

Paper space is a virtual two-dimensional space where all objects that are related to the plotted piece of paper, called a layout, are drawn. Objects drawn in Paper space are things like the titleblock, border, dimensions, notes, labels, and bills of material. Paper space is also drawn at full size but the units are the same units as the paper, such as inches or millimeters. The Model space units and the Paper space units do not have to be the same in a drawing.

Layouts

A layout represents a sheet of paper on which one or more scaled views of the model is created complete with such thing as dimensions, notes, border, and titleblock. Layouts are drawn in Paper space. They are an important and essential AutoCAD feature and should be used to plot all AutoCAD drawings.

As many layouts as required can be created in a drawing. The AutoCAD 2D book supplies pre- drawn layouts in two template files named ‘ 2D Layout English.dwt ‘ and ‘ 2D Layout Metric.dwt ‘. You can create your own layouts and save them in a drawing or template file. Creating your own templates is taught in the AutoCAD 2D Advanced book.

Model and Layout Tabs

The Model and Layout tabs are located along the bottom of the Graphic window as shown in Figure 18-1 and 18-2. There is only one Model tab in each drawing but there can be an unlimited number of Layout tabs. You can create your own layouts tabs. This taught in the AutoCAD 2D Advanced book.

Figure 18-1
Model – Enabled
Figure 18-2
Module Layout A Layout – Enabled

When the Model tab is enabled, all drawing objects drawn by you will be Model space objects and exist in Model space. When one of the Layout tabs is enabled, as shown in Figure 18-2, the layout drawing will be displayed. In a Layout tab, you can work in either Paper space or Model space.

The Working Space

The current space, which is either Model or Paper, is called the working space. When the MODEL icon is enabled, the working space is Model and when the PAPER icon is enabled, the working space is Paper.

When a Layout tab is enabled, the working space can be changed back and forth between Model or Paper space by toggling the PAPER/MODEL icon in the Status bar. See Figures 18-3 and 18-4. Click the MODEL icon to change the working space to Paper space or click the PAPER icon to change the working space to Model space.

Figure 18-3
Model Space is Currently the Working Space
Figure 18-4
Paper Space is Currently the Working Space

The Paper Space Icon

When a Layout tab is enabled and the working space is Paper, the Paper space icon, as shown in Figure 18-5, will display. When the icon is displayed, it is indicating to you that Paper space is the working space and all objects drawn will be Paper space objects and exist in Paper space only.

If this icon does not display, even when a layout is displayed, all objects drawn will be Model space objects and exist in Model space only.

Figure 18-5 The Paper Space Icon

AutoCAD Command: MSPACE

The MSPACE command is used to change the current working space to Model space.

Shortcut: MS

AutoCAD Command: PSPACE

The PSPACE command is used to change the current working space to Paper space.

Shortcut: PS

Viewports

A viewport is a rectangular or square hole cut through the sheet of drawing paper (the layout) so that the model can be viewed through it. See Figure 18-6. It is a 2D Paper space drawing object. The view of the model can be orientated and scaled. A layout can have an unlimited number of viewports cut through it, all viewing the same model at different scales and orientations.

Each viewport will display all visible objects that exist in Model space. If the model is changed after a viewport is created, the viewport will automatically display the changes since it is merely viewing the model. The orientation and scale of a viewport can be adjusted at any time. After a viewport is set, the display can be locked so that it cannot be accidentally changed. If changes are required, the viewport display must be unlocked before they can be made. It is best to insert the viewport on its own layer and turn that layer off before the drawing is plotted to avoid plotting the viewport drawing object.

Paper space objects like dimensions, notes, titleblocks, borders, and text are then drawn in Paper space on the sheet of paper. They are drawn full size using the same units as the paper is measured.

Figure 18-6
A Viewport

AutoCAD Command: MVIEW

The MVIEW command is used to create a viewport on a layout. It is a Paper space command and the viewport it creates is a Paper space drawing object.

Shortcut: MV

WORKALONG: Working With Layouts

Step 1

Start a new drawing using the template: 2D Layout English.

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Ensure that you select the correct template. The templates that you have being using to this point in the book will not be used from this module on. The new templates that you will be using are named: 2D Layout English and 2D Layout Metric.

Step 2

Save and name the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Workalong 18-1.

Step 3

Using what you learned to this point in the book, draw the object shown in the figure on layer: Object. Draw any construction objects on layer: Construction. (Figure Step 3)

Figure Step 3

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: You will notice that the drawing already contains the layers that you require to complete the lab exercises. They were created in the template file and will save you creating most layers in the drawings in the remaining drawings in this book.

Step 4

Freeze layer: Construction. The drawing should appears as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 4)

Figure Step 4

Step 5

Enter the OPTIONS command to open the Options dialogue box. In the Display tab, compare the settings in the Layout elements area and change them, if necessary, to match the figure. Click OK to close the dialogue box. (Figure Step 5)

Figure Step 5
MUST KNOW: Model space is a limitless three-dimensional space where the real objects of the model are drawn full scale while Paper space is a virtual two-dimensional space where all objects related to the plotted paper drawing are drawn.

Step 6

Enable layout: Module Layout A by clicking it. Your Graphic window should match the figure. (Figure Step 6)

Figure Step 6
AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: A layout is a piece of paper that can be plotted. The model is located behind the paper but cannot be seen until a hole (viewport) is cut in the paper using the MVIEW command. The paper size in Module Layout A is A size or 8 1/2X11 inches.

Step 7

Paper space should be the working space. To check that, ensure that the PAPER icon is enabled on the Status bar. (Figure Step 7)

Figure Step 7

Step 8

Set layer: Viewport as the current layer. Enter the MVIEW command, as shown below, to create a viewport on the layout. (Figure Step 8)

Command: MVIEW

Specify corner of viewport or [ON/OFF/Fit/Shadeplot/Lock/Object/Polygonal/Restore/LAyer/2/3/4] <Fit>: P1

Specify opposite corner: P2

Command:

Figure Step 8

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Selecting two opposite corners in the MVIEW command creates a viewport. The locations for P1 and P2 can be selected by eye. Their exact locations are not important. Imagine the viewport as cutting a hole in the piece of paper to view the model located behind the paper. Since a viewport is a drawing object, you can delete it and recreate it if you want to change its size or location. Ensure that you are in Paper space to delete a viewport. The AutoCAD 2D Advanced book teaches you how to resize viewports.

Step 9

Change the working space to Model by clicking the PAPER icon on the Status bar. After you do that, it will display MODEL as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 9A and 9B)

Figure Step 9A
Figure Step 9B

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Note that when the working space is Model, the crosshairs will only display inside the viewport (the hole in the paper).

Step 10

Enter the ZOOM Extents command to display all model objects in the viewport. (Figure Step 10)

Figure Step 10

Step 11

Change the working space to Paper space. (Figure Step 11)

Figure Step 11

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Note that when the working space is Paper, the crosshairs will display to cover the complete Graphic window. This means that you can draw anywhere in the Graphic window. All objects drawn, while the working space is Paper, will be Paper space objects.

Step 12

Open the Properties window. Without entering a command, select the viewport. It will highlight, as shown in the figure, and grips will display on the four corners. While the viewport is selected, pull down the Standard scale property and set it to 1:2. (Figure Step 12A and 12B)

Figure Step 12A
Figure Step 12B

Step 13

While the viewport is selected, pull down the Display locked property and set it to Yes. (Figure Step 13)

Figure Step 13

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: When the Display locked property is set to Yes, the viewport cannot be altered by zooming and panning. That means that the scale cannot be changed. It is best to always lock the viewport display after it is set to protect it from accidentally being changed.

Step 14

Your completed layout should appear as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 14)

Figure Step 14

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: The model in this viewport is set to a scale of 1:2 or one-half size of the original size of the model.

Step 15

Enable the display of layout: Module Layout B. (Figure Step 15)

Figure Step 15
AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: The paper size in Module Layout B is B size or 11X17 inches.

Step 16

Using what was taught in Step 8, enter the MVIEW command, two times, to create two viewports. After creating the viewports, change the working space to Model and click inside the left viewport. Enter the ZOOM Extents command. Click inside the viewport on the right and enter the ZOOM Extents command again. Change the working space to Paper and the layout should appear similar to the figure. (Figure Step 16)\

Figure Step 16

Step 17

Using what was taught earlier in the workalong, select the viewport on the left and set the scale to 2:1. (Figure Step17)

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: Paper space must be the working space to select the viewport.

Step 18

Change the working space to Model and click inside viewport on the left. (Figure Step 18)

Figure Step 18

Step 19

Without changing the zoom, pan of the model as shown in the figure. Change to Paper space. (Figure Step 19)

Figure Step 19

Step 20

Using what was taught earlier in the workalong, use the Properties window and check to ensure that the scale is still set to 2:1. Lock the display. (Figure Step 20)

Figure Step 20
AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: The model in this layout is set to a scale of 2:1 or two times the size of the original model.

Step 21

Using what was taught earlier in the workalong, zoom and pan the model in the right viewport. Set the Custom scale to 3 and lock the display. (Figure Step 21A and 21B)

Figure Step 21A
Figure Step 21B
Figure Step 21C

 

AUTHOR’S COMMENTS: The model in this layout is set to a scale of 3:1 or three times the size of the original model.

Step 22

Turn layer: Viewport off. Your layout should appears as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 22)

Figure Step 22

Step 23

Save and close the drawing.

Figure 18-7
Layout Paper Sizes
USER TIP: Type your textbox content here.
MUST KNOW: There are two completely different spaces to work in when you are drawing in AutoCAD. They are called Model space and Paper space. The real objects that you are drawing should be drawn in Model space and all other objects that are part of the description of the object, are drawn in Paper space.Objects created in Model space can only be modified when the working space is Model and should alway be drawn at full size using the appropriate model drawing units. Objects drawn in Paper space can only be modified while the working space is Paper. The paper units may differ from the model units.

MUST KNOW: After you use the MVIEW command to create a viewport in the layout, you should always execute the ZOOM Extents command immediately after. Before you enter the ZOOM Extents command, change the working space to Model. After executing the command, you will be able to see all the visible model objects in the viewport. You can then zoom and pan the model to set the desired view.

Zoomed to the Extents
View zoomed and Panned

Key Principles

Key Principles in Module 18

  1. Model space is a limitless three-dimensional space where the real objects of the model are drawn.
  2. Paper space is a virtual two-dimensional space where all objects related to the piece of paper, called a layout, are drawn. Objects drawn in Paper space are things like the titleblock, border, dimensions, notes, labels, and bills of material.
  3. A viewport is a rectangular or square hole cut through a sheet of drawing paper (layout) so that the model can be viewed at a specified scale and orientation.
  4. The current space, which is either Model or Paper, is called the working space. Objects drawn in Model space are model space drawing objects and objects drawn in Paper space are paper space drawing objects.

Lab Exercise 18-1

Time allowed: 40 minutes.

Drawing Name Template Units
AutoCAD 2D Lab 18-1 2D Metric Millimeters
Layering Scheme
Layer Name Objects on Layer Color
Gasket All objects Red

Step 1

Draw the top view of the gasket shown in the figure using the layering scheme. (Figure Step 1A, 1B, and 1C)

Figure Step 1A
Figure Step 1B
Gasket
Figure Step 1C Completed Drawing

Step 2

Set the insertion units and check your drawing with the key. Turn layer: Key off and freeze layer: Construction.

Step 3

In layout: Module Layout A4, on layer: Viewport, create a viewport using the MVIEW command. Pan the model as shown in the figure. Set the scale to 1:1 and lock the display. (Figure Step 3)

Figure Step 3

Step 4

In layout: Module Layout A1, on layer Viewport, create three viewports using the MVIEW command. Pan the model as shown in the figure and set the custom scale of the top left viewport to 1:1, the bottom left viewport to 4:1, and the one on the right to 6:1. Lock the display of all three viewports. (Figure Step 4)

Figure Step 4

Step 5

Turn layer: Viewport off. (Figure Step 5)

Figure Step 5

AUTHOR’S HINTS: When you are setting the viewport scale and a standard scale is not available to you, simply type in the scale number in the Custom scale property as shown in the figure below. In this example the scale of 6:1 is entered as 6. If the scale you want to enter is 1:4, then you enter 0.25 (1 divided by 4). Setting custom scale is taught in a future module aand creating standard scales is taught in the AutoCAD 2D Advanced book.

Lab Exercise 18-2

Time allowed: 40 minutes.

Drawing Name Template Units
AutoCAD 2D Lab 18-2 2D Metric Millimeters
Layering Scheme
Layer Name Objects on Layer Color
Wrench All objects Blue

Step 1

Draw the top view of the wrench shown in the figure using the layering scheme. (Figure Step 1A, 1B, and 1C)

Figure Step 1A
Open End Wrench
Figure Step 1B
Figure Step 1C
Completed Drawing

Step 2

Set the insertion units and check your drawing with the key. Turn layer: Key off and freeze layer: Construction.

Step 3

In layout: Module Layout A4, on layer: Viewport, create a viewport using the MVIEW command. Pan the model as shown in the figure. Set the scale to 1:1 and lock the display. (Figure Step 3)

Figure Step 3

Step 4

In layout: Module Layout A4, on layer: Viewport, create two additional viewports using the MVIEW command. Pan the model as shown in the figure. Set the scale to 2:1 and lock the display. (Figure Step 4)

Figure Step 4
AUTHOR’S HINT: The following steps show how one end of the wrench is constructed: Use the same principles to draw the other end.

Step 1

Draw the construction lines for the circle and center lines. I am showing only one end in the following figures.

Step 2

Offset the inclined center line on each side. On the left side of the wrench the offset distance is 6.5 mm.

Step 3

Extend the top offset line to the vertical center line.

Step 4

Using the end of the line that you just extended as the center, draw a circle with radius of the small arc. On the left side of the wrench it is 13 mm. I drew it in red to help you identify it.

Step 5

Using the intersection of the circle you just drew and the inclined line as the center, draw a circle with the radius of the small arc. On the left side of the wrench it is 13 mm. I drew it in blue to help you identify it.

Step 6

Extend the bottom offset line to the circle.

Step 7

Trim the blue circle. I removed the red circle to help you. You can leave it in your drawing as a construction line.

Step 8

Finish the trim to complete the left side of the wrench.

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Introduction to Drafting and AutoCAD 2D Copyright © 2021 by Wally Baumback is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

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