Chapter 2 Drawings and Templates
69
Basic Drawing Settings B as ic Dr a wing Setting s
Drawing settings determine the general characteristics of a drawing, such as
the units of measurement. You can change drawing settings as needed throughout
the drawing process. However, you can also specify appropriate drawing settings in
template files to preset common drawing traits every time you begin a new file. fi You fi
will create templates later in this chapter.
AutoCAD includes many drawing settings. The most basic drawing settings
control the units of measurement and limits of the drawing area.
Introduction to Model Space
Before you adjust drawing settings and begin drawing, you should understand
the two environments in which you can work. Model space is where you design and
draft the model of a product. In mechanical drafting, for example, use model space
to draw part and assembly views. In architectural drafting, use model space to draw
building plans, elevations, sections, and details.
Once you complete the drawing or model in model space, you switch to paper
(layout) space, where you prepare a layout. A layout represents the sheet used to t
organize and scale, or lay out, a drawing or model to be plotted or exported. Layouts
typically include items such as a border, title block, and general notes. A single drawing
can have multiple layouts.
You know you are in model space when you see the model space coordinate system
icon, the active
Model
tab, the
MODEL
button on the status bar, and no representation
of a sheet in the drawing area. See Figure 2-16. You know you are working with a
layout when you see the paper space coordinate system icon, an active layout tab, the
PAPER
button on the status bar, and a representation of a sheet in the drawing area.
model space: The
environment in
AutoCAD where the
majority of drawing
usually occurs,
including the design
and drafting of
drawing views.
model: A term that
usually describes
a 3D model, but
in AutoCAD also
refers to 2D drawing
geometry, typically
created at full size.
paper (layout)
space: The
environment in
AutoCAD where you
create layouts for
plotting and display
purposes.
layout: An
arrangement in
paper space of
sheet elements,
typically including a
border, title block,
general notes, and
a display of items
drawn in model
space.
sheet: The paper
used to lay out and
plot drawings.
Figure 2-16.
Model space is the environment in which you design and draft product geometry, such as the
views of this hydraulic valve cylinder.
Draw objects
in model space
Pick to enter
paper space
Model space
coordinate
system icon
Selected
model tab