To insert a viewport in Civil 3D, follow these steps:
-
Switch to a Layout Tab: Ensure you're working in a layout tab, not the model tab. If necessary, click on a layout tab at the bottom of the Civil 3D interface.
-
Set the Current Layer: It's recommended to set the current layer to one specifically reserved for layout viewports. This helps with organization and control over viewport visibility. You can do this in the Layer Properties Manager.
-
Access the Insert Viewport Command: Navigate to the "Layout" tab on the ribbon. Then, in the "Layout Viewports" panel, click "Insert View."
-
Specify the Viewport Type and Extents: Now you have several options for creating your viewport. You might be prompted with different options depending on your Civil 3D setup:
- From Model Space: You can define the viewport extents by clicking two points in the layout to create a rectangular viewport that shows the model space.
- Named View: Insert a viewport that displays a previously saved named view.
- Object: Convert a closed object, like a circle or polygon, into a viewport.
- New: Create a new rectangular viewport.
-
Choose a Scale: After defining the viewport, right-click your mouse. A list of predefined scales will appear. Select the desired scale for the content displayed within the viewport. This scale determines the relationship between the model space units and the paper space units. You can also type in a custom scale (e.g.,
1:50).
Alternative Method: Using the MVIEW Command
You can also create viewports using the MVIEW command. Type MVIEW in the command line and press Enter. Then, you'll have similar options to those described above for defining the viewport.
Tips for Working with Viewports:
- Locking Viewports: After setting the scale, consider locking the viewport to prevent accidental zooming or panning within the viewport, which can change the scale. You can lock/unlock a viewport through the Display Locked property in the Properties palette or by clicking the viewport lock icon on the viewport's scale control.
- Viewport Layers: Remember to control the visibility of objects within the viewport using layer visibility settings. You can freeze layers within a specific viewport without affecting their visibility in other viewports or the model space. This allows you to customize the display in each viewport.
- Clipping Viewports: You can clip a viewport to a specific shape, ensuring only the content within that shape is visible.
