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Preliminaries

Setting up AutoCAD and IntelliCAD for maximum efficiency: loading different line type files - the ICADISO.LIN and ACADLTISO.LIN linetype definition files, loading hatch pattern files. Setting the fonts path, font definitions, fonts library, setting the path to your block library etc.

Methods for plotting CAD drawings

Examining the two methods for plotting CAD drawings - from model space or from paper space. Model space - simple plotting, plotting to a defined scale, creating and plotting details, plotting VPORTS. Paper space - plotting multiple views of the model on one sheet, plotting perspective views, enabling hidden line removal in paper space views.

Using Paper Space effectively

Presenting a design in paper space. Examining a design for a concrete slab with plinth and reinforcing rods. Calculating the scale value on the presentation sheet. using MVIEW to create a floating viewport, setting the scale in the view port with the ZOOM XP command. Moving to tiled model space & creating an appropriate dimension style (1-10). Appling dimensions and text. Checking the result in paper space. Moving to model space and creating a different dimension style for a detail. Applying the new dimension on a different layer. Returning to paper space - creating a separate view port and using the VPLAYER command to control visibility of layers in the new detail view port.

Other Paper Space Examples

Developing more designs in both model space and presenting in paper space. A bearing housing - rendering part of the design; dimensioning in model space for the presentation sheet; stretching a design in model space and automatically updating changes in paper space. The importance of associative dimensioning. The importance of the UCSICON command. A structural steel example. Some architectural examples - a shop fit out design, a slab and plan design for a community centre; a 3D model of a small building to house an instrument control room.

Passing a CAD drawing to other software for specialized rendering.

AS1100

A review of the Australian standard and international standards for technical drafting.

Creating and using text styles

Text heights in model space and paper space, the iso3098b font and ISO3098b style, SHX fonts, OpenType fonts, PostScript fonts, using CAD fonts in logos, disassembling fonts, font compilers, installing fonts.

Lines, thickness, line types and layers

Setting colour and thicknesses of lines. Mapping thickness to colour. Assigning line types, loading line types, the line type scale, paper space line type scale, creating custom lines. Line types and layers, managing layers. The layer standard of the American Institute of Architects.

Hatching and scales

Hatching scales, methods of applying hatching, hatching polylines, creating boundaries. Simplifying hatching - the brick wall problem. Using special blocks to indicate scales.

Dimension styles

Creating dimension styles. Associating dimension scales with special scale blocks. Dimensioning in model space for paper space display. Associative dimensioning. Dimensioning in paper space.

Drawing sheets

Creating a series of drawing sheets to the AS1100 drafting standard. Adding intelligence to the sheets by defining nested blocks within the sheet. using the DDATTE command to update blocks.

The ABC of plotting

Pens, paper colour line thickness pen tables, pcp files etc.

Develop a drafting standard

Drawing all the above together by developing a drafting standard.

Prototype drawing

Building a prototype drawing to suit the above - setting preferences.

Starting a new project

Whether you wish to plot from MS or PS, you need to set your drawing up correctly. Building a check list to use for all new projects. Setting appropriate LIMITS, SNAP, GRID, creating named VIEWS, creating a DEFPOINTS layer, inserting title block drawings, creating floating viewports, testing scaling in paper space (ZOOM XP), setting appropriate text and dimensioning styles.  Developing a check list to use on each and every project.

Revising model space 

Details of the old way of doing things, scaling dimlfac etc. Before using paper space, it is important to refresh your understanding of AutoCAD's drawing volume. We look at LIMITS, ZOOM, 2D vs. 3D. associative and non-associative dimensions, dimension styles etc. All are important when handling paper space. The VPORTS command, tiled viewports, saving named viewports are especially important as is the importance of creating named views. We create a series of drawings ready for a  'paper space' workshop. The importance of the UCSIcon is explained along with instruction in the use of the MVIEW command to make floating view ports.

Creating your own paper space drawing

A paper space drawing is created using a series of model space 'parts' built using blocks.  Inserting blocks a back drops - pros and cons. Using the XREF command to attach 'backdrop' drawings to your current drawing. Substituting updated XREF drawings for earlier XREF's. Dimensioning each part in a manner suitable for paper space display. Arranging floating view ports and controlling scales. Plotting from paper space.

More guidelines for using paper space

Drawing full size, setting dimension variables properly, correctly using named dimension styles. Handling text, linetypes and pattern files correctly.

Using VERIFY

Creating a drawing standard for your company. Using a set of AutoLISP programs to check your drawings against a standard.

Using scanned images in paper space (and tiled model space)

Creating hybrid CAD files. Types of image files, TIF, JPG, BMP, etc. in CAD drawings. Preparing image files for insertion into CAD drawings in both paper space and tiled model space. As backdrops to CAD drawings. Rendering 3D images with different backgrounds. Scaling images. Using monochrome images in CAD drawings.

Creating Custom  Menus

Building your own custom menu can be a great time saver.

Dealing with incoming drawings

A check list for dealing with drawings that have been produced by others. What to do with a foreign drawing before you use it?

Pack and Go

Sending a drawing to a client or consultant - using AutoCAD's Pack & Go feature.