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How to Find Layout Tools in AutoCAD?

Published in AutoCAD Layouts 2 mins read

The layout tabs in AutoCAD are located at the bottom left of the screen, allowing you to access paper space for plotting.

Typically, you'll see default layout tabs like "Layout1" and "Layout2" (sometimes named "A-Sized" and "D-Sized," depending on your template). These represent pre-configured sheets of paper with defined dimensions (e.g., A-Size or D-Size).

Here's how to find and work with layout tools:

1. Locate the Layout Tabs:

  • Look at the bottom-left corner of the AutoCAD interface. You'll find tabs labeled "Model" (representing model space) and then "Layout1," "Layout2," or similarly named tabs.

2. Activate a Layout Tab:

  • Click on the desired layout tab (e.g., "Layout1"). This will switch you from model space to paper space. You'll see a representation of your sheet of paper.

3. Access Layout-Related Commands:

  • Ribbon Interface: Once you're in a layout, the ribbon will display tools related to paper space, viewports, annotations, and plotting. Look for tabs like "Layout" or "Output".
  • Command Line: You can also use commands like LAYOUT to create, copy, rename, or delete layouts. Type LAYOUT in the command line and press Enter.

4. Working with Viewports:

  • Layouts primarily involve working with viewports. Viewports are essentially "windows" that display views from model space onto your paper space layout.
  • To create a viewport, use the MVIEW command. Type MVIEW in the command line, press Enter, and then define the rectangular area for your viewport.
  • Double-click inside a viewport to activate it and pan/zoom within model space to adjust the view displayed. Double-click outside the viewport to return to paper space.
  • You can adjust the viewport scale to control the size of objects displayed within the viewport relative to the paper size.

Example:

Let's say you want to plot your drawing on a D-Size sheet (36x24 inches).

  1. Click on the "D-Sized" or appropriate layout tab.
  2. Adjust the viewport scale so your drawing fits nicely within the paper space.
  3. Add any annotations (title block, notes, etc.) directly in paper space.
  4. Plot your layout to a printer or PDF.

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