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How to Set Limits in AutoCAD?

Published in AutoCAD Limits 2 mins read

To set limits in AutoCAD, you use the LIMITS command to define the lower-left and upper-right corners of the drawing area or grid display.

Setting Your Drawing Limits

Setting limits in AutoCAD helps you define a specific rectangular area for your drawing or grid. This can guide your work area and control the visible portion of the grid.

Here's how to set drawing limits using the command line, directly incorporating the method from the reference:

  1. Start the Command: At the Command prompt, enter limits. Press Enter.
  2. Specify Lower-Left Corner: You will be prompted to "Specify lower-left corner or [ON/OFF] <0,0>:". Enter the coordinates for a point at the lower-left corner of the grid limits. For example, you might type 0,0 to set the corner at the origin point. Press Enter.
  3. Specify Upper-Right Corner: You will then be prompted to "Specify upper-right corner :". Enter the coordinates for a point at the upper-right corner of the grid limits. For instance, if you want a drawing area 100 units wide and 50 units high starting from 0,0, you would type 100,50. Press Enter.

Practical Tips for Setting Limits

  • Units: Ensure you are aware of your drawing units (e.g., inches, millimeters) when entering coordinates.
  • Grid Display: Setting limits primarily affects the display area of the grid. Use the GRIDDISPLAY system variable (set to 1) to ensure the grid only shows within the defined limits.
  • Zoom: After setting limits, you can use the ZOOM command with the All or Limits option to display the entire defined limits area.
  • Limit Checking: The LIMITS command also has ON/OFF options. When ON (set during step 2), AutoCAD can prevent you from drawing outside the defined limits, though this feature is often turned off by default as it can be restrictive.

Here's a quick overview:

Step Action Command Input Example
1. Initiate Command Enter limits limits
2. Lower-Left Enter coordinates for LL corner 0,0
3. Upper-Right Enter coordinates for UR corner 100,50

By following these steps, you can effectively define the drawing limits in your AutoCAD project.

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