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AutoCAD 2015 and AutoCAD LT 2015 Bible

The most comprehensive AutoCAD book around!

How to automatically display the plotting scale on your AutoCAD drawing

A reader asked me, “Can we have AutoCAD print the plotting scale on the drawing?”

Yes, you can! I’m going to assume that you have 1 viewport on a layout tab with a title block that will display the scale of that viewport.

Here are the steps:

Set the scale for the viewport. I explain […]

Create a scaled PDF of your drawing

There are several ways to export a drawing to a PDF file–I have links to some other related tips below. But most don’t have a way for you to specify your scale, because they aren’t connected to the plotting process.

Instead, you can plot to a PC3 file that creates a PDF file. This method […]

Precisely scale an object when you know before and after dimensions

Ken Monsanto of Bahrain Precast Concrete sent in this tip for scaling an object when you know the current and desired dimensions. For example, let’s say that you have a circle with a diameter of 35 and you want to scale it so that it has a diameter of 50.

He suggested these steps:

Start […]

Change the scale of blocks and hatches in tool palettes

Tool palettes are a great way to store blocks and hatches for easy access when needed. But if you have only one instance of each block or hatch, you may find that the scale isn’t right and the block or hatch comes in at the wrong size.

For example, you may need to change the […]

Copy as you stretch, move, rotate, or scale & create multiple leader arrows

When you edit with grips, you can use the Copy option to copy as you edit. For example, if you are scaling a circle, use the Copy option to make concentric circles.

If you want to create a leader that points to more than one object, first create the leader pointing to one object. Then […]

Tutorial: Create an architectural dimension style

Are you getting the look you need for your dimensions? Are you constantly making little adjustments? If dimensions aren’t your friend, you need to get more comfortable with dimension styles.

In this tutorial, you create an architectural dimension style. Why? Because the default style is a mechanical look and by changing it to architectural, you’ll […]

Tutorial: Automate annotation scaling with annotative objects

Since AutoCAD 2008, you can automate the sizing of annotation, such as text and dimensions, in multiple viewports with varying scales. In this tutorial, you practice using this feature, called annotative objects.

The following objects can be annotative, meaning that they can size automatically:

Text (single-line text) Mtext (multi-line text) Dimensions Multileaders (which are new […]

AutoCAD Tutorial: Calculate scale and sheet size

This tutorial is unusual, because you don’t need AutoCAD to do it.

You draw full size in AutoCAD. But before long, you may need to set the scale of text, dimensions, and other objects that need to be the right size after you plot on a sheet of paper. In a large drawing, such as […]

Convert a 3D solid to a 2D drawing with a hidden view

Koyilada Venkata Rao sent in this tip for converting a 3D solid to a 2D drawing. His tip explains how to create a hidden view, but you can create a wireframe as well. It uses the SOLPROF command to create a profile. By transferring the results to another file, you get a solely 2D drawing.

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AutoCAD Tutorial: Create a mesh solid jar

This tutorial requires AutoCAD 2010 or later and shows how to create a mesh solid jar.

Start a new drawing using acad3d.dwt. Switch to the 3D Modeling workspace by choosing it from the Workspace Switching pop-up menu on the right side of the status bar or next to the Quick Access toolbar at the upper-left […]