10 Reasons to Use AutoCAD LayoutBY EDWIN PRAKOSO | LAST UPDATED: NOVEMBER 12, 2012

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I use AutoCAD since R14. It already has paperspace (old term for old people like me, AutoCAD

layout to younger you), but using model space is still very common. And it looks like my tutor was

too lazy to teach me how to use paperspace. So I’m quite familiar with modelspace until I decided to

use AutoCAD layout. AutoCAD layout today is very simple and very powerful to use. I wish we

had this in early 90’s. It makes setting up plot easy. And there are many advanced features we can

use with layout.

I’m not sure why today people still prefer to set their drawing border and title block in model space. I

can understand if you are a veteran AutoCAD ninja who already comfortable with it. And I do know

some drawings don’t need to use layout, especially schematic drawings.

But for the younger users, I expect them to start using layout. There are many advantages of using

layout. These are 10 advantages I can find.

SIMPLIFY DRAWINGS

First, using AutoCAD layout will simplify the drawing. Below we have several drawings with different

scales. How do we do it in model space? We were actually draw them in different scales. If you have

a detailed view, then you have to copy and scale that part of your drawing. When we need to change

it, then we have to update them all manually.

Using layout will give us several advantages below.

1. We Always Draw in Full Scale

It doesn’t matter if you have 2, 4, or 10 different scales in your sheet later. We can always draw in

full scale 1:1. Even for beginners can easily complete the drawing without having to think how they

need to scale the drawing, creating different dimension styles, etc.

2. Show Different Area of One Model

Even we only draw once with full scale, we can represent the model many times. We can represent

the drawing with several viewports, showing different area of the model. Sometimes we simply need

it because the model is too large for one sheet. And sometimes, we need it to show it in different

scales for detailed drawings.

Because we only draw in one model, we only need to update the modelspace. Other viewports will

automatically updated. We don’t have to update each drawing separately.

3. Less Styles to Manage

Let’s see image below. We have a stair section and create a detail from it. When we need to add

dimension to both drawing, we have to create two dimension styles. They have different scales, so

we need to create another dimension and control the dimension value by changing the scale factor.

If you scale it 4x, then you need another dimension style with scale factor 1/4. You can override the

properties manually, but it will take more time.

If you don’t understand, it’s OK. It can’t be explained in a paragraph or two. That’s what nice about

layout: less confusion.

You have to switch between dimension styles and can bring unnecessary mistakes. What if you

have 3 or 4 different scales? What if in your model space you have more than one sheet with more

different scales? You will have many styles!

4. Easy to Control Drawing Scale

Another good thing about layout is it’s easy to control the drawing scale. As we discussed in no.1,

we only need to draw in full scale. We can arrange them easily in layout.

It’s not so easy to explain how to apply scale, drawing border, and placing title block in model space

to a new user. Using viewport, it’s easier to explain.

You can create a viewport, select it, and change the scale using viewport scale at the right bottom of

your screen.

In the past, we have to use zoom scale. But today, it’s very easy after AutoCAD has scale list

feature. You can see how it work in YouTube video, go to this viewport tips to see it.

ONE MODEL, MULTIPLE REPRESENTATIONS

If we work with modelspace, we treat it like drawing manually in a paper. When you need to

represent a drawing several times, then you need to copy it to show each instance. Layout allows

you to draw one model, and represent it several times. In no.2, we already discussed how we can

show different areas with different scales. But there are more.

5. Different Drawing Orientation

Each viewport can be configured to have different angle orientation. I don’t explain much about it

here, but you can do it with single drawing in model space too. For example you want to show a site

plan with true north orientation. But you also want to show a building plan in the site plan with

different orientation. It’s quite easy to do it with layout.

6. Different Drawing Representation with Layer Properties per-Viewport

Since AutoCAD 2008, we have ‘layer properties per-viewport’. We can set the layer properties for

each viewport independently. For example, you can turn on hatch layer for detailed drawing, but turn

it off for larger scales. You can show detailed objects for some viewports, and hide it for the others.

You can also read how I use it with layer states.

7. Get the Advantages of Annotation Scaling

Another great feature that has been added to AutoCAD is annotation scaling. We can use it in model

space, however, we can get the benefits mostly in layout.

Previously, we discussed how we need only to create one drawing and we can represent it in

different scales. Annotation scale allow us to do it with annotation, ensuring our annotation readable

in different scales. And because we only create one annotation for all scales, any changes will

reflected to all of your viewports.

If annotation scaling doesn’t not suite your needs, you can annotate your drawings in layout. It’s

probably the most comfortable way for many users. Each of them has it’s own benefits. Either way,

they are easier to manage than setting your sheets in modelspace.

MANAGE AND AUTOMATE

Another good thing about layout is we tell AutoCAD to recognize the sheets. It allow us to use other

features that relate to layout to manage and automate several processes. What are they?

8. Control Printing Preferences Easily

Printing preferences are very easy to set when you use layout. If you are not familiar with setting up

sheet in modelspace, remember that we draw in full scale. Then we add a border and title block to

include the drawing. We need to calculate the scale in plot scale below.

With layout you simply select the paper size, and always use 1:1 full scale. Plot margin will be shown

in dashed lines. You can also use page setup to quickly apply your settings.

It is very easy to comprehend, even if you don’t use AutoCAD intensively. If your company already

has a template, it will be easier for you.

9. Sheet Set Manager Advantages

Sheet set is a good tool to manage your drawings in a project. If you are not familiar with it, you can

try to download these white papers or take a look to our e-book: document management with

AutoCAD Sheet Set.

In short, we can manage the sheets so we can easily access them. After we have a drawing set, we

can eTransmit and pack the whole project files as one zip file, ready to send along with dependent

files. We can also plot them all at once with publish command.

Other advantage you can get is sheet set fields. Sheet set has it’s own fields, you can show the

sheet number, project name, and so on. You can also create sheet list automatically. Sheet Set

takes it further!

10. Batch Plot

You can plot many drawings at once with sheet set’s publish. However, if you don’t use sheet set,

you can also use publish manually and add layouts from many layouts. You can plot many layouts at

once, even send them to different plotters!

Can we use batch plot if we set the drawings in modelspace. Yes, but it means you have to create

saved views, and create a page setup for each saved views.

10 Features to Boost Your AutoCAD ProductivityBY EDWIN PRAKOSO | LAST UPDATED: FEBRUARY 21, 2011

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AutoCAD has been a very popular CAD application

for decades. Many AutoCAD users learn using it by learning it themselves or by reading a book. Or

byreading AutoCAD productivity tips like we have here.

Not that it’s wrong. Learning AutoCAD by yourself can have advantages. Mistakes make you

remember. Learning from your friends or books can be better. But your friend might teach you by his

behavior, by his workflow. It might be not suitable for you. Especially if you work in different industry.

Books? I don’t know if you can find good books in your area. But in here, I don’t think we can find a

good book easily. Not in our language. Many writers still writing the same material as our ‘good old

version of AutoCAD’. Just change the screenshot, change the book cover, add one or two chapter…

and… he’s written a new book! I don’t think using AutoCAD 2010 as AutoCAD R14 is wise. A lot of

new features, and using them in a proper workflow can actually boost your productivity.

In this list, I write 10 cool AutoCAD features that many people don’t use. You might already use

them, but I know a lot of people don’t.

Standards

1. Define and Using AutoCAD Template

Have you define and use your own AutoCAD template? Or every time you start your drawing with an

empty template provided… then define your styles, layers, layouts, etc? You should try defining your

own template! Using template can increase your productivity significantly.

Using template will save you some time. And helps you to maintain a drawing standard. Templates

is very useful, not only in AutoCAD but in every application.

2. CAD Standard

Using standard in drawing is important. It won’t looks good if your company release drawings that

looks different, using different dimension styles, fonts, line weight, etc. And having the same

standard in your company will be easier for your draftsman. Doesn’t matter who draw it, he always

know where he should be looking for, what to edit. And if a new draftsman came, he can easily

adapt. You can maintain your standard in AutoCAD drawing using cad standard. Defining company

standard drawing is a start to drawing productivity.

Saving your drawing template to a drawing standard can help your draftsman to work within your

standard. Any violation? A balloon will pop up immediately to warn him that he is violating standard!

Cool isn’t it?

Drawing Management

3. Use AutoCAD Sheet set

Sheet set is a feature to manage your projects. It’s like windows explorer, but simpler and better for

drawing management.

You can also create a drawing list automatically, pack all your files in a sheet set (or sub set) to a

transmittal package only with a few clicks. Oh yes, includes plot many sheets at once! If you want to

read about Sheet Set in details, check our Sheet Set e-book here.

If your company use data management like Vault, it’s probably the best choice. But Sheet Set is

good start to manage your drawing.

4. Layer Tools

Using layers is very useful managing complex drawing. Drawing all your objects in layer 0 is a no-no.

I’m sure a lot of you know that. There are a lot of layer tools that you can use to manage your

drawings. Layer walk and layer isolate for example. You can quickly change the drawing

representation by changing layer properties using layer states. And more: you canrepresent your

drawing differently in each viewport using   layer properties per-viewport !

5. External Reference

If you work your design with multiple users, this is a must use feature. You can work together at

once on a project. If not, using reference file (XREF) is still a good practice. It will keep your file

simple and well managed. Simple means you can avoid your files to become corrupt. Well managed,

you can use typical design several times in your design. One change will reflect on the other.

“So what if I use block? I can edit one block, and all of the blocks will be updated”

Honestly, I don’t think this is what blocks are for. Blocks are used for library, standard symbols,

parts, landscape, furniture, etc that you use as library. Not for objects you change many times during

the design process. I don’t think using block for that purpose is good. See more about block vs xref

here.

Automation

6. Text field

Have you use text field? If you have a lot of text that should be modified regularly, text field can be

very useful. Let’s say you have to change these value in your title block: drawn by, last modify, file

name, or any object properties such as: perimeter, area, etc. Text field can update those value

automatically. Just define them once, save it to your template. Field will be automatically updated

when you regen, save, or plot your drawing.

7. Dynamic Blocks

Honestly, first time I saw dynamic block, I hate it. I don’t think having different blocks with the same

name is a good idea. It’s confusing, mess our standards, and might cause errors in reporting. But

then I found that dynamic block can be very useful. It’s very useful for visualization. And some

actions can be useful for block placement (align, flip). But I think we should be careful with this

feature. Especially if you use blocks with data extraction. You might have a report saying you have 5

instance of the same type of door, but actually you placed 2 different types of door with the same

name!

If you are interested to learn about dynamic block, see this dynamic block tutorial.

8. Annotation Scaling

This feature is one of my favorite in AutoCAD 2008. This feature will help you a lot when you work

with different scales. It’s very easy to arrange them all in layout later. You don’t have to think how big

your annotation should be in your model. Just define the size you want when it’s plotted! Start

AutoCAD annotation scaling tutorial here.

9. Tool Palettes

Tool palettes can provide a lot of tools. Not only blocks, but also drawing tools. What’s the different

with using toolbar?

If you use line tool from toolbar, then the line will be drawn in active layer. If you define a line with

certain layer and properties, you don’t have to worry about changing layers anymore. See this image

below. They all lines, but will create lines in different layers.

Read more about tool palette here.

10. Block Attributes

Block attributes is a feature to give your objects an ID and other attributes. Let’s say doors will have

type, manufacturer, accessories such as door closer, locks, etc . By defining block attributes, you

can make block annotations standard. And the best of all, you can extract all the attributes to a table

as a report! A drawing schedule (or bill of quantity/bill of material) will be automatically generated

using data extraction.