Today’s installment is all about improving your Layouts.
Since AutoCAD Release 12 (the original one from the early 90’s) we have had access to the concept of Paper Space and Model Space. Paper Space is where we created our plan sheets and Model Space is where we built our models. In later releases, this eventually evolved into Paper Space Layouts (Multiple Paper Spaces :) ) where each Layout represents a single plotted sheet. Each sheet contains one (or many) Viewports which are effectively holes in page where we can view our model at a particular scale.
In the beginning, these viewports had limitations. One of the big ones was it had to be a four sided object with 90 degree corners. (Essentially a square or rectangular shape) Additionally, this new Paper Space/Layout concept was a big departure from what AutoCAD users were accustomed to. In short their “plotting world” was rocked.
As a result, many folks worked hard to embrace the new system and its original limitations. Fortunately, many of original limitations have gone away. Unfortunately, there are a lot of folks out there who’s sheet construction workflow has not updated to take advantage of the improvements. Perhaps a “set it and forget it” mindset has set in again.
If you are of the belief that Layout Viewports must still be a four sided object with 90 degree corners, the VPCLIP tool is definitely for you!! Using the VPCLIP command, your viewport shapes are literally limitless. (Irregular shapes, Irregular angles, even curves!!)
Check out the video below to see how it works as well as a couple of examples of how you can use them.
-Jerry
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