Lesson9: Layout

Layout

Show your design at the right scale on a drawing sheet, ready for printing or sharing.

Once your model is finished and drawn at full size in model space, it’s time to switch to a layout. A layout is like a virtual piece of paper where you can:

• Show your model at a scaled size
• Add labels, notes, and dimensions
• Use different line styles and thicknesses for printing

When you open a layout tab (1), the first thing you should do is right-click on the tab (2) and choose “Rename” (3). Give it a more useful name than just “Layout1.” A good idea is to name it after the paper size you’ll use, like “ANSI A” or “ISO A3”, so it’s easy to recognize later.

Choose the Paper Size for Your Layout

1. Click on a layout tab at the bottom (like “Layout1”)
2. Right-click the tab and choose Rename—give it a clear name like “A3 Sheet” or “ISO-A1”
3. Open the Page Setup Manager to pick your paper size

You’ll see a lot of settings, but you only need to choose the sheet size that fits your project.

Note: Each paper size may appear twice, as some printers require two versions depending on their orientation settings (landscape or portrait).

Model Space vs. Paper Space

You create your design in model space (the big drawing area).

In older versions of AutoCAD, everything—drawings, notes, labels, and borders—was done in model space. That method still works for some simple projects.

But now, paper space (layouts) is the preferred way to:

• Show multiple views of your model
• Scale those views correctly
• Add title blocks, dimensions, and notes
• Prepare your drawing for printing or PDF

When you open a layout tab, you’ll see:

• A title block and border (usually inserted as a block)
• A viewport, which is like a window showing part of your model

What Is a Layout Viewport?

A layout viewport is a rectangle (or other shape) that shows a scaled view of model space.

• It works like a small monitor screen
• You can select it like any other object
• Use grips (small blue squares) to resize or move it
• You can set the scale of what’s inside

You can also use commands like Move, Copy, or Erase on the viewport itself.

Tip: To hide viewport borders when printing, put viewports on their own layer and turn that layer off before printing.

Switching Between Model Space and Paper Space

You don’t have to switch tabs. On a layout:

• Double-click inside the viewport to edit the model
• Double-click outside the viewport to go back to paper space

When you’re in model space, the viewport border gets thicker, so you know you’re editing the model.

Tip: Instead of panning (dragging the view), you can resize the viewport from paper space using the grips.

Create a New Viewport

You can add more viewports to show:

• Different parts of your model
• Different angles
• Different scales

To do this:

1. On the layout tab, type MVIEW
2. Choose New
3. Click two points to define the size of the new viewport
4. Right-click and choose a scale
5. Click to place it

To change the scale later:

• Select the viewport
• Click the scale grip (a triangle)
• Choose the new scale

By default, the scale is locked, so you don’t accidentally zoom. To unlock it: Right-click the viewport > Display Locked > No

Note: After changing the scale, type REGENALL to refresh dashed lines so they look correct.

Add Notes and Dimensions (Trans-Spatial Annotation)

After you set up your layout and viewports:

1. Move or resize the viewports as needed
2. Turn off the layer for viewport borders
3. Add notes, labels, and dimensions directly in paper space—they’ll print at the right size
4. Print your layout to paper, DWF, or PDF

This is called the trans-spatial method—the simplest and most recommended way for beginners.

Other Methods for Scaling and Annotating (Optional)

AutoCAD offers 4 methods to handle view scaling and annotations. Here’s a quick overview:

1. Original Method

Everything is drawn and labeled in model space.

• You must manually scale dimensions and text
• Example: If you want 1/4″ text on paper at 1:48 scale, draw the text 12″ high in model space
• Good for simple 2D drawings

2. Layout Method

• Draw everything in model space
• Add annotations in model space
• Print from layout
• Set dimension scale to 0—AutoCAD handles scaling automatically

3. Annotative Method

• Create annotative text and dimensions in model space
• These adjust their size automatically in viewports with matching scales
• Useful when you want annotations to appear in specific viewports only

4. Trans-Spatial Method (Recommended for beginners)

• Draw your model in model space
• Add annotations in paper space (layout)
• Set dimension scale to 1—no need to scale anything manually
• Simple and accurate

Tip: Ask other AutoCAD users which method they prefer and why—it can help you choose the best method for your work.