Paper Space/Model Space help 6

Hi there,
An easy way to look at this is to imagine the Title block/border is a window frame, and the model space is the view through the window. If you have been used to using Model Space before then you proberly have your title blocks there. When in Model Space, copy this (useing menu>edit>copy) and then click on the layout tab at the bottom of AutoCAD. Paste the Title block into the Layout Tab, and then make sure(resize it) it is the same size as the printable area of what ever printer/paper is being used (1:1 scale). Within the layout view there should be a rectangle. Drag and resize this to the inner dims of your drawing title/border. If you double click in this area, you will be in Model space where you can draw the components or assemblies.

It would help a lot to find someone in your company to help explain this- a lot of it isn't that complicated, but trying to describe stuff in text leaves something to be desired- which is why the Help files aren't help you much.

I'm seeing a lot of people starting to use paper space for the first time and the results are sometimes frustrating to other users.

One of the real beauties of splitting the model from the printout is that it is trivial to print a detail from a complex drawing at a different scale. I got some drawings from an old-time draftsman who had built all of a site-drawing except for the dimensions and text in model space. Then he went to a layout in paper space and did his diminsion (with the text override feature to turn 1.5 inches into 160 ft on the dimension). It looked pretty good on paper, but it was a real hassel for him to do the overrides and for me to add a pump and tank to the drawing. I went into model space and replaced the dimensions and labels and sent it back to him to see an easier way--the next drawing I got from him was done with the dimension overrides again. It is a hard topic to internalize, but it is well worth the work.

Remember, you can have as many layouts as you need. It is very easy to build a Letter-size, Tabloid-size, and "D"-size version of the same model. This powerful stuff.

David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

The harder I work, the luckier I seem

The key to paper space is understand that it is a huge sheet of paper that you use to difine how it is seen by your printer.

In the layer manager ,add a layer and call it " viewport", This will be the edge of your Viewport border( viewable area on the paper) . Make it your current layer then go to: Insert-layout,new layout wizard.follow the steps .

After you have done that click on the viewport border look at the scale on your viewport tool bar. Notice the drop down menu , now you can select a, different scale from the drop down menu Also from the tool bar menu you can select a differnt view and change the scale .
Try the web site Happy paper space

What I like about paper space is if you have just the model in model space and all borders, titles blocks, text, notes, dimensions, etc in paper space then when you insert the drawing into another (I use XRef), all you get is the model. Great for building complex assemblies.

WOW! I really appreciate all the responses. I'm overwhelmed. One of the responders mentioned asking for help within the company - that it's easier to show someone how to do it than it is for someone to try to follow written instructions. HOW TRUE! I wish I could ask for help within the company, but I'm it. I work in the power/electrical industry for a specific client that doesn't use it. Now, we have a new client that does. So, I have no one to ask at work and it's not exactly appropriate to ask the client for help. That's why I turned to this forum. I truly appreciate all the responses. I'm 36 so, maybe I'm not too old to be taught a new trick or two in paper space. :~/

I used to hate using paper space, and I've been drawing since the mid-80's. After having finally mastered it, I can't imagine how I got by without it now. Very powerful tool, indeed. Good luck with it, and don't let it kick your butt. You'll be so glad to learned it.

Today is the first day...and, it's kicking my butt.

Hang in there. It took me quite a while to get used to it. Chin up!! and stay with it.

Thanks! I think I can ...I think I can....

Remember - only the model goes in model space. NOTHING else, EVER.

"Remember - only the model goes in model space. NOTHING else, EVER."

I find it convenient to put dimension & text in model space (this on 2-D drawings)- easier to fit things in that way, at least for me. If I have 2 or 3 details of different scale, I just define additional dim styles for those scales.

What version of ACAD are you using? It's hard to believe that after all of these years since r2000, that anyone is still using model space only. 2002 made things so much easier for paper space.
I agree with the "model goes in model space. NOTHING else, EVER".

Flores

I think I'm going to like this paper space stuff. It's like a whole new world of doing cad has opened up.After all these years....you can teach an old dog new tricks.
Oh, one responder mentioned that they couldn't believe that there's people not using paper space in today's cad world. I've worked for four different engineering firms over the last 16 years (for the one I'm currently working for five years) and NONE have used paper space. Some industry is stuck in place. Glad I'm getting un-stuck! and learning more!

Glad you're unstuck Is 3D next on you're list? When you start working in 3D you'll be like "Why didn't I do this before"... then parametric 3D...

Flores

CadPrincess: Are you using 2002 or later version? After r 14, paperspace became much simpler to work with.

I've had the same experience... most "legacy" ACAD users have never migrated to paperspace. Their loss, I say. Since 2000, I can't imagne why anybody would not use paperspace except out of stubborness or simply too time-crunched to learn it.

Question: Being in electrical/power, are most of your drawings schematics, PIDs, etc?

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Bring back the HP-15
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Hi all here is a few tips on how 2 work out paper space. say u have a drawing on paper then u place a sheet of plain glass over the top it( the glass is now the paper space )what makes paperspace good is now u can add dimms and text 2 the paperspace and not the model( therefore u dont have 2 keep turning on and off layers in modelspace.the same if u r working in 3d , look out of your window see that car outside thats the model your making, and the window your looking out of is the paperspace the window will not move it stays where it is BUT the car can move, infact even out view in or out, paperstace also benifits from (in newer version )assositave dimensions, now this is fantastic add your dims in paperspace and there like a magnet they will follow round AND update as your model updates ( add them 2 a layer and turn them on and off as you go.
there u go i hope this help out old and new users of autocad. regards kev

Response to Beggar:
I use Release 2004. As for the drawings, I work on substation/switch yard scale drawings for a large utilities company in the south. It services many states. I don't work on non-scale elec schematics, one-lines, or diagrams.
My drawings involve placement of large pieces of equipment such as breakers and transformers. I can already see how paper space is going to make my life easier.
Though I've been doing cad for years, one can always learn something new.

One thing that tripped me occasionally during my early forays into 2002 paperspace: the variable DIMSCALE. I don't remember right off what the different values relate to but I know one of them sets it so your dimensions are in 1:1 with paperspace so they don't scale to model space. I believe you have to set DIMSCALE=2 in order to have them scale.

Another little tidbit: Check the viewport properties and note the difference between "Viewport locked" = yes vs no. If yes, you can go into model space from your viewport (see the little "model" or "paper" button at the bottom of your screen?) and zoom/pan and not destroy your layout. With "no", zooming destroys your scale.



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Bring back the HP-15
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