Layouts, Plotting, Printing 1
Layouts, Plotting, Printing
Sacramento City College
Engineering Design Technology
Objectives
Print and plot a drawing.
Set up layouts using title blocks and viewports.
Create new layouts.
Manage layouts.
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Objectives
Select a plotting device and modify a plotting device configuration.
Explain plot styles, plot style tables, and plot style modes.
Create and modify plot styles and plot style tables.
Objectives
Attach plot style tables to drawings and layouts.
Assign plot styles to drawings, layers, and objects.
Select plot settings.
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Objectives
Calculate scale factors based on drawing scale.
Create a plot file.
Plot a group of drawings using the Batch Plot utility.
Explain keys to efficient plotting.
Plotting Procedure
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Model Space and Paper Space
You can create plots from
The Model Tab (model space)
The Layout Tabs (paper space).
The general procedures for both cases are similar.
Terminology
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Terminology
Model space.
The drawing environment in which the drawing objects are constructed.
Model space is active when the Model tab is selected.
Model space is also activated when you double-click inside a floating viewport in a layout tab.
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Terminology
Paper space.
The drawing environment used to create plotting layouts.
Plotting layouts are arrangements of
Various objects
Floating viewports
Title blocks
Etc.
on the page to be plotted.
Terminology
Paper space.
Is active by default when a layout tab is selected.
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Terminology
Entering “Model Space from Paper Space”
(inside a Layout Tab)
If you double-click inside a floating viewport in a layout tab, the
Viewport becomes active and
model space is entered.
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Terminology
Switching back to Paper Space in a Layout Tab.
To switch back to paper space, double-click in an area outside the floating viewport.
“Double-click paper space.”
Terminology
Layout/Layout Tabs.
A layout is the manner in which a drawing is arranged in paper space.
May contain a
Title Block
One or more viewports
Text annotations.
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Terminology
Each drawing can have multiple layouts.
11 x 8.5
36 x 24
44 x 30
Each layout is shown as a tab along the bottom of the drawing area.
Terminology
Each layout can have different
page setup and
plotting settings.
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Terminology
Page setups.
Is the manner in which the drawing is
displayed on a sheet of paper in order to create a layout.
Page setups determine:
How the drawing is plotted.
The plot device.
Pen settings.
Scales.
Terminology
Page setups.
Settings can be saved in the drawing file as a named page setup
Named page setups
can be recalled each time the drawing is plotted.
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Terminology
Layout settings.
Are created in the Page Setup dialog box.
Include
Paper size and drawing units
Paper orientation
Plot area
Plot scale
Plot offset
Plot options.
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Terminology
Plotters window.
Use to
Add
Delete
Configure
Reconfigure plotters.
Terminology
Plotters window.
Accessed by
Selecting Plotter Manager... from the File pull- down menu.
When a device is configured, the settings are saved in a PC3 file.
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Terminology
Plot styles.
Contain settings that are applied to objects when they are plotted.
A “color-dependent plot style” is applied to all objects with a specific color.
A “named plot style” can be assigned to an object or layer.
Terminology
Plot style tables.
Is a collection of plot styles.
Two types of plot styles exist:
Color-dependent
Named.
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Terminology
A plot style table can only contain plot styles of a single plot style mode
Can only be either
Color-dependent or
Named.
Terminology
The Model tab and each layout tab can have a unique plot style table attached.
Only plot styles in the attached plot style table can be used within a tab.
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Terminology
Plot Styles window.
Use to manage plot style table files.
You can open and edit the plot styles within a plot style table.
You can also create new plot style tables.
Terminology
Plot settings.
Are created in the Plot dialog box
Include the same items found in the Page Setup dialog box.
Control how the drawing is printed on paper.
Plot settings can be created at the
beginning of a project and then saved to
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Terminology
Batch Plotting.
Use after drawing files have been assigned:
Layouts
Page setups
Plot parameters
Terminology
Batch Plotting can be used to configure files for:
Plot off-line
OR
In the background as a group
OR
As "batch," while the user continues with other tasks.
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Terminology
Batch plot files
Are saved with a BP3 extension.
Can be created without opening a full session of AutoCAD.
Layout Settings
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Layout Settings
A layout shows the arrangement of
objects on a sheet of paper for plotting purposes.
A layout may include
A title block
Floating viewports showing your model space drawing, and annotation.
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Layout Settings
A single drawing can have multiple layouts.
A size sheet
C size sheet, etc.
Named layouts are displayed as tabs along the bottom of the drawing area.
Each layout tab represents a different paper space configuration.
Layout Settings
Drawings have two layouts by default.
These are identified by the
Layout1 and
Layout2 tabs
below the drawing area.
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Layout Settings
When you pick a layout tab for the first time, the Page Setup dialog box for the layout appears.
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Layout Settings
Select the OK button to enter the Layout tab.
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Layout Settings
Select the OK button to enter the Layout tab.
When a layout tab is selected, an image showing a preview of the final printed drawing is shown.
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Layout Settings
The dashed line around the edge of the paper represents the page margins.
The solid lines show the outline of a floating viewport.
By default, a single viewport is created.
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Working in Layout Tabs
Working in Layout Tabs
A layout can contain
Floating viewports.
(Holes into Paper Space)
A title block.
Notes.
Assemble these items in a layout to see
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Working in Layout Tabs
Settings that affect the display of layouts are contained in the Layout elements area of the Display tab in the Options dialog
box.
Access this dialog box by
Selecting Options... from the Tools pull-down menu.
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Inserting a Title Block
Inserting a Title Block
Title blocks are saved in a template file and then inserted as a block when
needed.
It is best to insert a title block into the
layout and then save it as a template file.
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Inserting a Title Block
You can then start a new drawing based on the template,
The layout with the title block will already be created.
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Inserting a Title Block
To insert a title block,
Select Block... from the insert pull-down menu to access the Insert dialog box.
Pick the Browse... button
Select the title block drawing to be inserted.
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Inserting a Title Block
To insert a Title Block,
Select Block... from the insert pull-down menu to access the Insert dialog box.
Pick the Browse... button
Select the title block drawing to be inserted.
Working With Floating Viewports
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Working With Floating Viewports
Create a viewport in Model Space.
After the viewports are created, the
display within the viewport must be set to show the correct part of the model space drawing.
Working With Floating Viewports
Create floating viewports after the title block has been inserted.
Position the viewports so they do not interfere with the title block.
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Working With Floating Viewports
Floating viewports are created using
The Viewports dialog box (VIEWPORTS)
OR
The MVIEW and -VPORTS command.
Working With Floating Viewports
1. Create the first viewport using the Viewports dialog box.
The model space drawing is visible in the viewport.
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Working With Floating Viewports
2. Create a second viewport.
Working With Floating Viewports
3. Double-click in the new viewport to enter model space.
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Working With Floating Viewports
4. Use the XP option of the ZOOM command to scale the drawing.
Use realtime panning to display the part of interest in the drawing.
Working With Floating Viewports
5. Double-click outside of the viewports to activate paper space.
Re-size the viewports with
Grips or the
STRETCH command.
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Working With Floating Viewports
Using multiple viewports in a layout allows you to illustrate different aspects of the
drawing.
Using multiple layouts, various types of drawings can be created from a single drawing model.
Working With Floating Viewports
CAUTION !
If you use zoom to adjust the drawing inside the viewport, the drawing may no longer be to scale.
Always use the ZOOM XP option to properly scale the drawing inside the
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Managing Layouts
Managing Layouts
The LAYOUT command allows you to manage layouts.
Access this command by:
Typing LO or LAYOUT at the Command:
prompt:
Command: LO or LAYOUT
Enter layout option
[Copy/Delete/New/Template/Rename/SAveas
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Managing Layouts
Options are also available
In the Layouts toolbars
OR
The Layout cascading menu of the Insert pulldown menu.
OR
Right-click a layout tab to display the layout shortcut menu.
Setting the Current Layout
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Setting the Current Layout
The current layout is identified by the highlighted tab at the bottom of the drawing area.
To set the current layout, pick the layout tab using the cursor.
Setting the Current Layout
Make the appropriate layout set as current before selecting the command.
If you work at the Command: prompt, the current layout is the default but you can specify a different layout.
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Listing Layouts
Listing Layouts
All layout tabs may not be visible
If a drawing has several layouts
or
Layouts have long names.
Use the four buttons to the left of the tab list to view the tabs.
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Listing Layouts
The two outer arrows display the left and right ends of the tab list.
The inner arrows move the list one tab in the indicated direction.
The “current tab” remains the current tab.
Listing Layouts
Use the ? option of the LAYOUT
command to list all layouts within the drawing.
Switch to the AutoCAD Text Window to view the list.
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Creating a New Layout
Creating a New Layout
Use several methods to create new layouts.
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Creating a New Layout
1. A new layout can be created from
“scratch”.
This is similar to the default layouts created with the Start from Scratch and Use a Wizard setup options.
Creating a New Layout
2. Copy Layouts from existing drawing and template files.
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Creating a New Layout
3. Copy a layout within the drawing to create a new layout.
New Layout From Scratch
Create a new layout by:
Use the New option of the LAYOUT command to create a new layout.
OR
Select New Layout from the Layout cascading menu in the Insert pull-down menu
OR
Pick New Layout button in the Layouts toolbar
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New Layout From Scratch
Right-click on a layout tab
Select “New layout” from the layout shortcut menu.
The following prompt appears:
Enter new Layout name <Layout3>: (type a name or accept default name)
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New Layout From Scratch
The layout name appears on the layout tab.
New Layout From Template
This option creates a new layout based on a layout stored in an existing drawing or template file.
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New Layout From Template
Select this option by
Using the Template option of the LAYOUT command
OR
Selecting Layout from Template... from the Layout cascading menu in the Insert pull- down menu
OR
Picking the Layout from Template button in the Layouts toolbar.
New Layout From Template
Select this option by
OR
Right-click on a layout tab and select From template... in the layout shortcut menu.
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New Layout From Template
The Select File dialog box is displayed
The Acad2OOO\Template directory is selected by default.
Select the drawing file or template file containing the layout to be copied
Pick the Open button.
New Layout From Template
Selecting the command option from the shortcut or pull-down menu, the Insert Layout(s) dialog box appears.
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New Layout From Template
Highlight the layout(s) you want to copy
Pick the OK button.
New Layout From Template
If you select this option from the
command line or use the Layout from Template button, the Insert Layout(s) dialog box does not appear.
Instead, you are prompted to enter the name of the layout to copy.
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Copy Layout in Drawing
You can create a new layout by copying an existing layout.
Enter the name of the layout to copy
Then, enter the name for the new copy.
Copy Layout in Drawing
The current layout is the default layout to copy.
If a name for the COPY is not entered, AutoCAD uses
The current layout name plus
A number in parentheses.
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Copy Layout in Drawing
You can also copy an existing layout by selecting Move or Copy... from the layout shortcut menu.
This option provides no opportunity to change the layout to be copied.
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Copy Layout in Drawing
The Move or Copy dialog box appears.
Activate the Create a copy check box.
Select which layout the new layout tab should be to the left of.
The default name is automatically assigned to the new layout.
Use the Rename option to change it.
Renaming a Layout
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Renaming a Layout
The name of the layout appears on its tab.
Layouts created by default are named Layoutn, where n is a number.
Renaming a Layout
A layout created by copying another
layout has the same name as the initial layout, followed by a number in
parentheses.
For example, the first copy of Layout2 is named Layout2 (1).
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Renaming a Layout
Name Layouts with a descriptive name.
36x24
11x8.5
Rename layouts using the Rename option of the LAYOUT command
OR
By selecting Rename from the layout shortcut menu.
Deleting a Layout
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Deleting a Layout
Delete a layout using the Delete option of the LAYOUT command.
You can also delete the active layout by right-clicking and selecting Delete from the layout shortcut menu.
Saving a Layout
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Saving a Layout
Use the Saveas option of the LAYOUT command to save a single layout as a drawing template or drawing file.
Saving a Layout
The following is the command sequence:
Command: LO or LAYOUT
Enter layout option
[Copy/Delete/NewfTemplate/Rename/SAveas /Set/?] <set>: SA
Enter layout to save to template <current layout>:
(enter name of layout or accept default)
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Saving a Layout
The Create Drawing File dialog box appears.
Saving a Layout
Save the layout in a DWT, DWG, or DXF file.
Enter the file name and pick the SAVE button.
The layout is now saved in the new file.
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Plot Device Selection and
Management
Determining
Drawing Scale Factors
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Scale Factors
The proper scale factor is important.
Scale factor determines
Text height
Dimension values
Dimension entity sizes (arrowheads/tic marks)
Scale Factors
Scale factor is always a reciprocal of the drawing scale.
If you wish to plot a drawing at a drawing scale of 1/2” = 1” (1/2 scale), the scale
factor would be:
1/2” = 1”
0.5” = 1”
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Scale Factors
An architectural drawing that is to be
plotted at a drawing scale of 1/4” = 1’-0”
(1/48th scale), has a scale factor calculated as follows:
1/4” = 1’-0”
0.25” = 12”
12/0.25 = 48
The scale factor is 48.
Scale Factors
The scale factor for a civil engineering
drawing that has a drawing scale of 1” = 60’ (1/720th scale) is calculated as
follows:
1” = 60’-0”
1” = (60 x 12) = 720 720 / 1 = 720
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Converting to Inches from MM
Converting a drawing from millimeters to inches:
1” = 25.4 mm
Scaling The Plot
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Scaling The Plot
AutoCAD geometry is always created FULL SCALE.
The drawing is scaled down to fit on the sheet size.
Calculating The Drawing Area and
Limits
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Drawing Area / Limits
To calculate the available area on a sheet of paper at a specific scale, use this
formula.
Scale factor x media size = Limits
Drawing Area / Limits
The limits of a B-size sheet (17”x 11”) of paper at 1/2”=1”
2 x 17 = 34 (x distance)
2 x 11 = 22 (y distance)
The limits are 34,22
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Drawing Area / Limits
The limits of a C-size sheet (24”x 18”) of paper at 1/4”=1’-0”.
48 x 24 = 1152” (x distance)
1152” = 96’-0”
48 x 18 = 864” (x distance)
864” = 72’-0”
The limits are 96 feet, 72 feet.
