Learning AutoCad / Model Space vs Layout

[corvette63]

I am just learning Cad and using the 2000 version. I am working towards being able to do grading permits for individual lots. My plans will have the house and the necessary improvements as well as a lot of notes, standard details etc.
I am struggling with understanding model space vs the layouts. Is it correct to draw the house and improvements in model space? If so, how do I get the correct scale? a 100' property line is longer then the visible area on the screen.

Is it correct to have all the notes and standard details in layout? I can paste them on a standard template easily. Anu help or reference would be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[IFRs]

In model space draw house and improvements - all "objects" that will exist in real life. Draw them 1:1 scale - ie pick a unit (inch, feet, yards, etc) and draw in that unit. If you pick inches, then 100 feet is drawn as 1200 inches. A 100 foot long line may go from 0,0 to 1200,0. Use "zoom" "Extents" to change the view scale on your monitor.

Use paper space to represent the output paper. It will be 24" x 36" or whatever your output paper is. Use Mview to make a viewport into model space. Put all your dimensions and notes in paper space.

 

[born2drill]

Like IFRs said, model space is infinitely large, and all your "real world" objects should go there. You only need to zoom in/out to see what you need. Viewports in paper space are like little "windows" into model space. You can set the scale factor of the viewport by going to its properties and changing the "Standard Scale" option.

However, if you're working in feet & inches, go the Format menu, click on Units, and pick Architectural. Format your dimensions the same way. You're not going to want to sit there all day with a calculator converting feet to inches and nobody is going to have any point of reference as to what 1200 inches means on a site drawing anyway.

I would disagree with putting dimensions & leaders in paper space. I've never seen a civil/site drawing done that way. As for where notes & details go, that's a question with no real correct answer. Both methods are used, and your way is as good as anybody else's.

Have you previously been drafting by hand, or is this your first foray into any drawing at all? If it's your first time, I'd suggest finding a course/seminar on drafting (not CAD operation). It took me only a couple weeks of looking at old files and playing with AutoCAD to learn the majority of what I needed to know about using the program. It took me much much longer to understand how to really draw.

 

[jjeng2]

I began using model and paper space and layouts in ACAD 2000. I think they had paper space before that but I never bothered. ACAD 2000 had so many plotting improvements that I decided to learn. It took me forever to get it. I think I spent a full weeks time trying to get things to plot right. The best way I can describe it and the thing that got me to understand it is as follows. Model space is the real world. Paper space and layouts are like looking at model space with a camera. You can set them up in so many different ways and arrangements(a good thing) but they are all just snapshots of model space. All your work should be in model space. Layouts are just a way to set up your sheets with one or multiple "snapshots" of your model.