How to Open a New Page in AutoCAD

Opening a new page in AutoCAD can refer to creating either a completely new drawing file or a new layout within your current drawing.

Understanding "New Page" in AutoCAD

In AutoCAD, the term "page" can be interpreted in a couple of ways:

• A New Drawing File (.dwg): This is like starting fresh with a blank canvas (or template). You get an entirely new file separate from the one you're currently working on.
• A New Layout: Within a single drawing file, you have Model Space (where you draw your designs at full scale) and one or more Layouts (sometimes called Paper Space). Layouts represent sheets of paper where you arrange views of your model, add dimensions, title blocks, etc., for plotting or publishing. Creating a new layout adds another "page" or sheet within that same drawing file.

Let's look at how to achieve both.

Opening a New Drawing File

To start a completely new drawing file in AutoCAD, you typically use a drawing template. Templates (.dwt files) contain predefined settings like units, layers, dimension styles, and layouts.

Here's how to open a new drawing:

1. Access the New Drawing Command:
   • Click on the Application Menu (the big 'A' in the top-left corner).
   • Select "New" from the menu.
   • Alternatively, type NEW in the command line and press Enter.
2. Select a Template: A dialog box titled "Select Template" will appear. This box lists available drawing templates.
3. Choose Your Template: Browse the list of templates. A common template for 2D drawing is acad.dwt. As shown in the reference, you would click on the dropdown (or the template list itself) and select a template like acad.dwt and allow it to load.
4. Open: Click the "Open" button.

AutoCAD will then open a new drawing file based on the settings stored in the template you selected.

Creating a New Layout (Page) in an Existing Drawing

If you want to add another sheet or "page" within your current drawing file for plotting, you'll create a new layout tab.

Here are the steps to add a new layout:

1. Locate Layout Tabs: Look at the bottom-left corner of your drawing window. You'll see tabs labeled "Model," and typically "Layout1," "Layout2," etc.
2. Add a New Layout:
   • Click the "+" button: There is usually a "+" button next to the last layout tab. Clicking this will instantly create a new layout with default settings.
   • Right-click an existing tab: Right-click on an existing Layout tab (e.g., "Layout1").
   • Select "New Layout": Choose "New Layout" from the context menu that appears.
3. New Layout Appears: A new tab, such as "Layout3" (or the next available number), will appear next to the existing layout tabs. You can double-click the tab name to rename it.

Each layout tab functions as a separate sheet within your drawing, allowing you to prepare multiple drawings or details from your model for plotting.

Choosing the Right Method

• Choose "New Drawing" when you want to start a completely separate project or design.
• Choose "New Layout" when you need another sheet within your current project to arrange views of your existing model for plotting.

Understanding the distinction between a new drawing file and a new layout within a drawing is key to effectively managing your projects in AutoCAD.