How Do You Select a Viewport in AutoCAD?

Selecting a viewport in AutoCAD is a common task, often needed to modify its properties or scale. One efficient way to select one or more viewports, especially when they are difficult to isolate visually or you need to select specific types, is by using the Quick Select command.

The most direct method to select a viewport, particularly multiple viewports based on criteria, involves using the Quick Select tool.

Using the Quick Select (QSELECT) Command

As referenced, a powerful way to select viewports is through the Quick Select feature:

1. On the command line type QSELECT.
2. The Quick Select dialog box will appear.
3. Under the "Object type" drop-down list, select 'Viewports'.
4. Define any additional criteria if needed (e.g., selecting viewports on a specific layer or with a certain scale), or leave default to select all viewports.
5. Click 'Ok'.

All viewports matching your criteria will be selected. This method is particularly useful in complex layouts with many objects or when you want to select multiple viewports simultaneously based on common properties.

• Reference Information Included: The steps utilizing the QSELECT command and selecting 'Viewports' from the drop-down list, followed by clicking 'Ok', are directly included from the provided reference dated 25-Oct-2024.

Alternative Selection Methods

While Quick Select is excellent for targeted selection, you can also select viewports using standard AutoCAD selection tools:

• Clicking Directly: If the viewport boundary is visible and accessible, you can simply click on its edge to select it. You may need to zoom in or adjust the drawing order to access it.
• Window or Crossing Selection: If multiple viewports are in a clear area, you can drag a window (selects objects entirely within the window) or a crossing window (selects objects within or touching the window) around them.
• Layer Isolation: Viewports are often placed on a specific layer. You can isolate that layer to make selection easier, or use Quick Select to select viewports specifically on that layer.

Why Select a Viewport?

Selecting a viewport allows you to:

• Modify its boundary shape or size.
• Change its display properties (e.g., layer visibility within the viewport).
• Adjust the annotative scale or standard scale displayed within the viewport.
• Lock or unlock the viewport display.
• Move or copy the viewport.
• Delete the viewport.

Understanding how to efficiently select viewports is key to managing your drawing layouts in Paper Space. Using the QSELECT command, as described, provides a robust method for targeting viewports accurately.