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AutoCAD Self-paced Learning Modules
®

AutoCAD 2D
Module 39
Layouts and Plotting - Part 1

Learning Outcomes:
When you have completed this module, you will be able to:

1. Describe a layout and how to create and modify them.

2. Describe the two different working spaces, model and paper and how to use them in an
AutoCAD drawing.
3. Describe viewports and explain how to create and edit them.
4. Describe and apply the command LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW.

Layouts
Creating, modifying, configuring and plotting layouts is a large and important part of working in
AutoCAD. In this module and Module 40, you will be learning the basic principles of creating,
editing and configuring layouts. The advanced features of layouts and view definition will be
covered in the AutoCAD 3D Modules.
Model Space Vs Paper Space
Up to this point in the modules, you have been drawing everything in model space. This is not
the ideal way to use AutoCAD to its potential or as an efficient productive design and drafting
tool. These modules were written this way to keep things simple to help the student learn the
basic principles of drawing in a CAD software. It is now time to move on to the next level.
In an ideal world, the object(s) you are drawing are drawn in model space and everything that is
part of the plotted paper is drawn in paper space. They are two completely different drawing
areas. Only one can be current at a time.
Model Space
Model space is a limitless three dimensional space where the real object(s) of your model are
drawn. For example, if you are drawing a house, everything that is part of the house such as
the walls, windows, doors, etc. are drawn in model space. The units you might use to draw the
house are feet and inches. All parts of the house would be drawn at full scale or full size,
exactly as they exist in real life.
Paper Space
Paper space is a virtual two-dimensional space where all objects related to the piece of paper
you are plotting your drawing on, are drawn. Objects drawn in paper space are things like the
titleblock, borders, dimensions, notes, labels and bills of material. Paper space is also drawn at
full size but the units are usually inches or millimeters. These units can be different than the
ones used in model space in the same drawing file. Objects can only be modified in the
drawing space they were created in.

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Model and Layout Tabs

Along the bottom of the graphic window you will see the Model
and Layout tabs as shown in Figure 39-1 and 39-2. If you cannot
see these tabs, read the User Tip below. There is only one
Model tab in each AutoCAD drawing but there can be many Figure 39-1
Layout tabs. Layout tabs can be created by the user as you will Model Tab
learn later in this module. When the Model tab is current as
shown in Figure 39-1, you are working in model space.
When one of the Layout tabs is current, as shown in Figure 39-2,
the layout drawing will be displayed. In a layout tab, you can
work in either paper space or model space. The name of the Figure 39-2
layout can be changed.
Layout Tab
Moving between Model and Paper Space
The current space, which is either model or paper,
is called the working space. When the Model tab is
the current tab, the working space can only be Figure 39-3
model but when a Layout tab is the current tab, the Model Space is Current
working space can be either model or paper. When
a Layout tab is the current tab, you can change the
working space back and forth between model or
paper space toggling the PAPER/MODEL icons in the Figure 39-4
status bar. See Figures 39-3 and 39-4. Click Paper Space is Current
MODEL to change to PAPER and PAPER to change
to MODEL.

If the Model and Layout tabs do not display along the bottom of the graphic
window, enter the OPTIONS command and from the Display tab, enable
the Display Layout and Model tabs in the Layout elements box as shown
below.

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The Paper Space Icon

The paper space icon, as shown in Figure 39-5, will appear whenever the
working space is paper space. When it displays, you know that you are in
paper space and you can only insert or edit paper space objects.
If this icon does not display when you are in paper space, read the User Tip
below. The status bar will display the current working space.
Figure 39-5
The Paper
Space Icon

If the paper
space icon
does not
display when
you are in paper space,
enable it using the View pull-
down menu as shown on the
right. You will have to set
each layout tab
independently.

Creating and Editing Layouts

A layout is the graphical representation of the piece of paper that is configured to plot your
drawing. What you see on the layout is what will plot on the plotter. You can create and
configure as many layouts as you wish for each drawing. Each layout can be configured to a
different paper size or different plotter. On each layout, one or more views of the object can be
displayed, each at the desired scale.
Paper Space Geometry
In each layout, you can add paper space geometry for example a titleblock, drawing border,
dimensions, bill of material, notes and other related geometry.
Model Space Geometry
You can also create as many viewports as you wish to display the model space object(s) you
created in the model space. Each viewport can be configured to display the model space
object(s) at a specified scale or area to display.
By default, a new drawing starts with two layout tabs, Layout1 and Layout2. You can create a
new layout from scratch, use the Create Layout wizard or import a layout from an existing
template drawing. In this module, you will learn how to create them from scratch.

AutoCAD Command: LAYOUT

The LAYOUT command is used to create, modify, or edit the current layout.
Shortcut: none

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There are two completely different spaces to work in when you are drawing
in AutoCAD. They are model space and paper space.
The real object(s) that you are drawing should be drawn in model space
and all other objects that are part of the description of the object, are drawn
in paper space.
Objects created in model space can only be modified in model space and should alway be
drawn at full size using the appropriate model drawing units. Objects drawn in paper space
can only be modified in paper space and are drawn at full size. The paper units may differ
from the model units.

AutoCAD Command: MVIEW

The MVIEW command is used to create a model space view in paper space. It is a paper space
command.
Shortcut: MV

AutoCAD Command: PAGESETUP

The PAGESETUP command is used to configure the
piece of paper to be plotted for the current layout.
Shortcut: Right click the layout name, the pop up
menu will display as shown below.

Viewports
A viewport is a rectangular or square hole cut
through a sheet of drawing paper (layout) so that the
model the can be viewed at a specified scale and
orientation. A layout can have an unlimited number
of viewports cut through it all viewing the same
model at different scales and orientations.
The viewport will display all visible objects that exist
in model space. If the model is changed after the Figure 39-6
viewport is created, the viewport will automatically
A Layout with Three Viewports
display the changes since it is merely viewing the
model. The orientation and scale of the viewport can be adjusted. When you have a viewport
set, you can lock the display so that it cannot be accidentally changed. If you want to make
changes, simply unlock it. It is best to insert the viewport on its own layer and turn the layer off
before you plot the drawing to avoid plotting the viewport rectangle.
Paper space objects, like dimensions, crosshatching, note, titleblocks, borders, text etc are
then added or drawn in paper space at full scale on the drawing.

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands 2005-2008

For AutoCAD 2005-2008 users only. If you are using AutoCAD 2000-2004,
skip to page 39-10)

Step 1 Open drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 25-1

that you constructed in Module 25.
Step 2 Using the SAVEAS command, save the
drawing with the name AutoCAD 2D Workalong
39-1.
Step 3 Delete the titleblock, the titleblock text
and the border. Your drawing should now Figure Step 3
appear as shown in Figure Step 3.
Step 4 Using the PURGE command, purge the layers Titleblock and Titleblock Text.

Step 5 Create layer Viewport as

shown in Figure Step 5.
Step 6 Enter the OPTIONS command.
In the Display tab, set the Layout
Elements settings to match Figure
Step 6.
Figure Step 5

Step 7 Enable the Layout 1 tab. To do that,

click it with the left mouse button. It will
display white. With the cursor on Layout 1,
right click the mouse. In the right-click menu,
click Rename as shown in Figure Step 7

Figure Step 7
Figure Step 6
...continued on page 39-6

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands 2005-2008 - Continued

Step 8 In the Rename
Layout dialogue box, enter
the new name Drawing Size
A as shown in Figure Step 8.

Figure Step 8
Step 9 Repeat the same for Layout 2 naming
Figure Step 9 it Drawing Size B. Your Model/Layout tabs
should now appear as shown in Figure Step 9.
Step 10 Enable the Drawing Size A layout
as shown in Figure Step 10. Note how the
paper space icon will display as shown in
Figure Step 10. If it does not display, see the
User Tip on page 39-3.

Figure Step 10

Figure Step 11

Step 11 With the layout Drawing Size

A enabled, right-click it. In the right-
click menu, click Page Setup Manager
as shown in Figure Step 11. This will
open the Page Setup Manager
dialogue box.
Step 12 In the Page Setup Manager
dialogue box, select Drawing Size A.
When it highlights, click the Modify
button. See Figure Step 12A and 12B.
Figure Step 12A
This will open the Page Setup dialogue
box for Drawing Size A as shown in Figure Step 12C.

Figure
...continued on page 39-7 Step 12B

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands 2005-2008 - Continued

Figure Step 12C

Step 13 In the Printer/plotter area, pull

down the list of plotters and printers
available. The list on your computer will
differ from the figure. Select None as shown
in Figure Step 13.
Authors Comments:
None is used for the plotter/printer in the lab
exercises in these modules. The reason for Figure Step 13
this is to standardize the procedure for all
students. There are merely hundreds of different printers and plotters available to the
AutoCAD User. After you successfully complete the modules and are actually printing or
plotting your drawings on paper, you would select the applicable printer/plotter available to
your computer.
Step 14 In the Paper size box, pull
down the list of available paper sizes
and select ANSI A (8.50 x11.00
Inches) as shown in Figure Step 14.
Figure Step 14 ...continued on page 39-8

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands 2005-2008 - Continued

Authors Comments:
Be careful when are selecting the paper
size. In most cases, there are usually two
selections for each paper size. For
example, an 8.5 x 11.0 is the same size as
an 11 X 8.5. The only difference would be Figure Step 15A
its orientation, either portrait or landscape.
Step 15 In the Drawing orientation box, Figure Step 15A, select Figure Step 15B
Portrait since we want the 8.5X11 paper orientated vertically. The
selected paper size is shown
in the graphic. See Figure
Step 15B.
Step 16 In the Plot area and
the Plot Scale area, set your
settings to match Figure Step
16A. When your dialogue box
matches Figure Step 16B,
click OK. Figure Step 16A

Figure Step 16B

...continued on page 39-9

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands 2005-2008 - Continued

Step 17 Your graphic window in the layout
Drawing Size A should now appear similar to
Figure Step 17.

Step 18 Using what you just learned, edit the

Page Setup dialogue box for Drawing Size B
layout as shown in Figure Step 18.
Figure Step 17

Figure Step 18

...continued on page 39-10

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands 2000-2004

For AutoCAD 2000-2004 users only. If you are using AutoCAD 2005-2008,
skip to page 39-15)

Step 1 Open drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 25-1

that you constructed in Module 25.
Step 2 Using the SAVEAS command, save the
drawing with the name AutoCAD 2D Workalong
39-1.
Step 3 Delete the titleblock, the titleblock text
and the border. Your drawing should now Figure Step 3
appears as shown in Figure Step 3.
Step 4 Using the PURGE command, purge layers Titleblock and Titleblock Text.

Step 5 Create layer Viewport as

shown in Figure Step 5.
Step 6 Enter the OPTIONS command.
In the Display tab, set the Layout
Elements settings to match Figure
Step 6.
Figure Step 5

Step 7 Enable the Layout 1 tab. To do that,

click it with the left mouse button. It will display
white. With the cursor on Layout 1, right click
the mouse. In the right-click menu, click
Rename as shown in Figure Step 7.

Figure Step 7

...continued on page 39-11 Figure Step 6

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands 2000-2004 - Continued

Step 8 In the Rename
Layout dialogue box, enter
the new name Drawing Size
A as shown in Figure Step 8.

Figure Step 8
Step 9 Repeat the same
for Layout 2 naming it Drawing Size B. Your
Model/Layout tabs should now appear as shown in
Figure Step 9. Figure Step 9

Figure Step 10
Figure Step 11A
Step 10 Enable the Drawing Size A layout as shown in Figure Step 10. Note how the
paper space icon will display as shown in Figure Step 10. If it does not display, see the
User Tip on page 39-3.

Step 11 With the

layout Drawing Size
A enabled, right-
click it. In the right-
click menu, click
Page Setup as
shown in Figure
Step 11A. This will
open the Page
Setup dialogue box
for layout Drawing
Size A as shown in
Figure Step 11B

Figure Step 11B

...continued on page 39-12

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands 2000-2004 - Continued

Step 12 Enable the
Plot Device tab as
shown in Figure Step
12A. In the Plotter
configuration area,
pull down the list of
plotters and printers Figure Step 12A
available. The list on
your computer will differ from
the figure. Select None as
shown in Figure Step 12B.

Figure Step 12B

Authors Comments:
None is used for the plotter/printer in the lab exercises in these modules. The reason for
this is to standardize the procedure for all users. There are merely hundreds of different
printers and plotters available to the AutoCAD User. After you successfully complete the
modules and are actually printing or plotting your drawings on paper, you would select the
applicable printer/plotter available to your computer.

Step 13 Enable the

Layout Settings tab
as shown in Figure
Step13.

Figure Step 13

Step 14 In the Paper size box, pull

down the list of available paper sizes
and select ANSI A (8.50 x11.00 Inches)
as shown in Figure Step 14.

Figure Step 14
Authors Comments:
Be careful when are selecting the paper size. In most cases, there are usually two
selections for each paper size. For example, an 8.5 x 11.0 is the same size as an 11 X 8.5.
The only difference would be its orientation, either portrait or landscape.

...continued on page 39-13

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands 2000-2004 - Continued

Step 15 In the Drawing orientation box select Portrait since
we want the 8.5X11 paper orientated vertically. You can see the
way the paper will be orientated by the small graphic. See
Figure Step 15.

Step 16 In the Plot area and the Plot Scale areas, set your Figure Step 15
settings to match Figure Step 16A. When your dialogue box matches Figure Step 16B,
click OK.

Figure Step 16A

Figure Step 16B

...continued on page 39-14

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands 2000-2004 - Continued

Step 17 Your graphic window in the layout
Drawing Size A should now appear similar to
Figure Step 17.

Figure Step 17

Step 18 Using what you just learned, edit the Page Setup dialogue box for Drawing Size
B layout as shown in Figure Step 18. Ensure you set the plotter to None.

Figure Step 18

...continued on page 39-15

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands - Continued

Step 19 Your graphic window in the layout
Drawing Size B should now appear similar to
Figure Step 19.
Authors Comments:
The next step is to use the MVIEW command
to create a viewport(s) on the drawing sheet.
A viewport is simply a rectangular or square
hole cut through the drawing paper. After the
hole is cut, you will be able to see the model.
It will show all visible model space objects if
the view is zoomed to the extents. Remember
you can cut as many holes as you required but
in this workalong, you will be only be cutting Figure Step 19
one viewport (hole) in the drawing.
Step 20 In paper space, enable layout Drawing Size A. Set
layer Viewport as the current layer. Enter the MVIEW
command as shown below to cut a viewport through the
paper layout.
Command: MV
Specify corner of viewport or
[ON/OFF/Fit/Shadeplot/Lock/Object/Polygonal/Restore/2/3/4] <Fit>:
Specify opposite corner:
(Using a window select two opposite corner to define the location
and size of the view port. Try to create the same size and location
of the window as shown In Figure Step 20.)
Regenerating model.

Figure Step 20
Figure Step 21A Figure Step 21B

Step 21 Change to model space. You can do that by

clicking the PAPER icon in the status bar as shown in
Figure Step 21A. When you are in model space, the
MODEL icon will replace the PAPER icon. See Figures 21A
and 21B. Execute the ZOOM - Extents command so you
can see everything in the model. Your viewport will display
all visible objects In the model as shown in Figure Step
21C.
Command: Z
Specify corner of window, enter a scale factor (nX or nXP), or
[All/Center/Dynamic/Extents/Previous/Scale/Window/Object] <real
time>: E

Figure Step 21C ...continued on page 39-16

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands - Continued

Step 22 While still on model space, use the wheel on
the mouse to zoom and pan the model in the viewport to
appear similar to Figure Step 22.

Figure Step 23

Step 23 Change to paper space. You can do this by

clicking the MODEL icon in the status bar. It will now
change to the PAPER icon as shown in Figure Step 23.
Step 24 Open the Properties window and then without
entering a command, select the viewport. See Figure Figure Step 22
Step 24.

Figure Step 24

Authors Comments:
A viewport is a paper space object. That is why it is
essential that paper space be the working space to
allow you to select it and change its properties.

Step 25 While the viewport is selected, set the

Custom scale property to 1.5. What that means is that
if the layout was plotted on paper, the model would be
1.5 times larger then it actually is in real life. The actual
scale is 1:1.5.
Figure Step 25

...continued on page 39-17

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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands - Continued

Step 26 Set the Display locked properties to Yes as

shown in Figure Step 26. When the viewport display
is locked, you cannot change the scale or the
orientation of the viewport. Once the view is set to
the correct scale and orientation, always lock it to
protect it from accidentally being adjusted.

Figure Step 26

Step 27 Using what you just

learned, create the viewport and
set the layout for Drawing Size B
as shown in Figure Step 27.

Step 28 Set the Standard Scale

to 1:1 by selecting it from the pull-
down list. See Figure Step 28.
Lock the display.

Figure Step 27

Figure Step 28

...continued on page 39-18

Layouts and Plotting - Part 1 The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 – 2007 Module 39
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Using the LAYOUT, PAGESETUP and MVIEW Commands - Continued

Step 29 Turn layer Viewport off. Your layouts should appear as shown in Figure Step 29.

Figure Step 29
Step 30 Save and close the drawing.

When you use the

MVIEW command
to create a
viewport in the
drawing, you
should always execute the ZOOM
- Extents command immediately
after. Before you enter the
command, change the working
space to model. After executing
the command, you will be able to
see all the visible model objects in
the viewport. You can then zoom View zoomed and Panned
and pan the view to set the Zoom to the Extents
desired view.

The Key Principles in Module 39

1. The real objects you are drawing are drawn in model space and everything that is part of
the plotted paper is drawn in paper space. They are two completely different drawing
areas. Only one can be current at a time.

2. A viewport is a rectangular or square hole cut through a sheet of drawing paper (layout)
so that the model can be viewed at a specified scale and orientation.

Layouts and Plotting - Part 1 The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 – 2007 Module 39
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Lab Exercise 39-1 Time Allowed: 40 Min.

Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
AutoCAD 2D Lab 39-1 N/A Inches N/A N/A
Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all ByLayer unless otherwise instructed.
Layering Scheme
Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight
Viewports Viewport Green Continuous N/A
Instructions:
1. Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 22-1.
2. Save the drawing with the name AutoCAD 2D Lab 39-1.
3. Delete the titleblock, titleblock text and the border. Figure Step 5
4. Purge layer Titleblock and Titleblock Text.
5. Create the layer Viewport as shown above.
6. Rename the Layout1 tab to A SIZE and Layout2 tab to C SIZE. See Figure Step 5.
7. For layout tab A SIZE set the following:
a) Plotter: None
b) Paper Size: 8.5X11 Portrait
c) On layer Viewport, create one viewport using most of the sheet. Set the scale to
1:1, center the model and lock the display.
8. For layout tab C SIZE set the following:
a) Plotter: None
b) Paper Size: 17X22 - Landscape
c) On layer Viewport, create one viewport using most of the sheet. Set the scale to
1.4:1, center the model and lock the display.
9. Turn layer Viewport off.

A SIZE C SIZE

Layouts and Plotting - Part 1 The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 – 2007 Module 39
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Lab Exercise 39-2 Time Allowed: 40 Min.

Drawing Specifications
Name Template Units Text Style Font
AutoCAD 2D Lab 39-2 N/A Inches N/A N/A
Note: Color, Linetype, and Lineweight are all ByLayer unless otherwise instructed.
Layering Scheme
Objects on Layer Name Color Linetype Lineweight
Viewports Viewport Green Continuous N/A
Instructions:
1. Open the drawing AutoCAD 2D Lab 27-3.
2. Save the drawing with the name AutoCAD 2D Lab 39-2.
3. Delete the titleblock, titleblock text and the border.
4. Purge layer Titleblock and Titleblock Text. Figure Step 5
5. Add layer Viewport as shown above.
6. Rename the Layout1 tab to E SIZE and Layout2 tab to B SIZE. See Figure Step 5.
7. For layout tab E SIZE, set the following:
a) Plotter: None
b) Paper Size: ANSI E 34X44 - Landscape
c) On layer Viewport, create one viewport using most of the sheet. Set the scale to
3/4"=1'-0" (1:16), center the model and lock the display.
8. For layout tab B SIZE, set the following:
a) Plotter: None
b) Paper Size: ANSI B 11X17 - Landscape
c) On layer Viewport, create one viewport using most of sheet. Set the scale to
1/4" = 1'-0" (1:48), center the model and lock the display.
9. Turn layer Viewport off.

Layout E SIZE Layout B SIZE

Layouts and Plotting - Part 1 The CAD Guys Ltd. Copyright © 1993 – 2007 Module 39