How to Work with AutoCAD Drawings at Different Scale

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Since 2008, the annotative property is in the AutoCAD software. Needless to mention that the introduction of the annotative scale has eased the job of AutoCAD drawing to a great extent.

Earlier, the task of plotting the objects with the correct scale for different viewports was hectic, tedious, and time-consuming.

Before the introduction of the AutoCAD scale, multiple copies of the same object were made for different scales. The objectives were then placed on separate layers.

This process indeed was extremely lengthy. It used to involve a considerable amount of unnecessary data in drawing, which rendered utter confusion. Also, it used to create big sized files.

Moreover, there was a vast wastage of time while creating the draft. The annotative AutoCAD scale factor took this trouble out of the drawing process and facilitated in faster execution of the task.

If the drawings are not scaled correctly, it may render a lot of obstacles. It can cause miscommunication, unfavorable results, and adverse consequences as well.

Therefore, it is crucial to scale the drawings accurately and keep an eye on the components and systems, which need to go into an actual building or infrastructure.

In this article, we will have an in-depth discussion about AutoCAD drawing and will explore through a deep insight on how to work with drawing at different scales in AutoCAD.

Using the Scale Command in AutoCAD

The scale command in AutoCAD can be used effectively to create drafting and drawing the building and infrastructural plans. Objects in the drawing, including the drawn lines, 3D extrusions, and several others, can be scaled by factors with the use of the SCALE command in AutoCAD.

As per the requirement of your drawing, you can easily change the scale in AutoCAD with the help of the AutoCAD scale factor.

The process of using the SCALE command can be done in the fellow steps:

Window select the object(s) in AutoCAD software and then type SCALE. Specify a number between 0 and 1, as required, and hit ENTER. The size of the object(s) will SCALE DOWN, the very next moment accordingly.

Window select the object(s), type SCALE. Now, specify a number larger than 1, and hit Enter. The size of the object(s) will SCALE-UP by that scale factor.

And thus, by using the SCALE command, you can seamlessly shape the objects, while preparing an AutoCAD drawing. This approach is one of the primary steps to start with while drafting for an engineered plan for the architectural and infrastructural structure.

Scaling the External References in AutoCAD

CAD designers had to work with several other external components as well while drafting plans. The designers are often provided with elements like images, PDF files, and other drawing files as well.

Once they receive the files, they are supposed to execute the task by drawing something on top of or using it as a fundamental basis for designing in AutoCAD.

With the help of the XREF window, you make good use of the AutoCAD scale reference and can attach the items at whatever scale you choose. At times, the floor plan or the other construction requirements may vary. And in such cases, it may not appear to be true to dimension size once it is inserted in your drawing.

In that case, the ALIGN command plays a pivotal role. The ALIGN command can be used and applied to confirm dimensions, based on what is inserted as an external reference.

The steps of scaling the external references in AutoCAD drawing is as follows:

Find out a for a reference dimension first, which resembles the provided size on the plans. Otherwise, you can also assume that an external component (e.g. Door) is of any standard length.

Now you will need to find out a few dimensions between crucial points on a drawing. Dimensions between columns work great for this.

In case you are running out of any resource to snap to, you can draw lines for reference temporarily.

In the next step, you need to draw a line that matches the dimension of the external reference you are trying to check.

If you are looking for a dimension of a specific length, make a simultaneous line via AutoCAD drawing, in the model space.

Next, you need to select the ALIGN command.

You need to pick the first point of where you are referencing the plans to the first point of the drawn line.

Make sure that the last point of reference on the plan, match up to the previous end of the corresponding line drawn.

Check vividly that the starting points and ending points are matching verbatim.

Hit the ENTER button now, and check whether the image, PDF or CAD drawing scale up or down to match your drawn line.

There is no alternative to verification. At times the dimensions may appear one visually and turn up to be inaccurate later. Cross verification can solve the problem in a jiffy.

Repeat the same steps for a different dimension.

So, by following the steps as discussed above, you can quickly scale the external references in AutoCAD drawing. With the help of the mentioned features in the AutoCAD software, the designers can draft structural plans and diagrams accordingly, with the help of references like images, PDF files and others.

Scale Blocks with AutoCAD Software

Several organizations and firms are there who apply a lot of block structures. In such places, the AutoCAD software is used widely. With the help of AutoCAD scale factor, there are ways to provide multiple variations of appearance with scale. Some crucial steps to scale blocks in AutoCAD is as follows:

At first, type INSERT to get a prompt

Select the options for insertion, scale, and rotation.

Specify the scale of the X, Y, and Z-axis of the block for the blocks that do not scale uniformly.

Run a test by specifying the X scale as 3 and keeping the Y and Z axis at 1.

Check, whether it makes the X-axis of the circle into more of an oval shape or not.

And thus, you can quickly scale the blocks, using the software and its features to create an AutoCAD drawing.

Scale the Texts and Dimensions in AutoCAD

Despite the fact of what scale you are plotting to, it is equally crucial that your AutoCAD drawing must have readable texts.

Before the annotative scale was included in AutoCAD, it was a challenge indeed to make the texts appear the same at any given drawing scale. Multiple copies of the document were prepared earlier, with different sizes and fonts on AutoCAD scale factor.

Different layers were also applied, which were only turned on when someone tried to view things at a particular drawing scale in a viewport.

Post-2008, the annotative scale concept was introduced in AutoCAD. And then, onwards, it became convenient to include readable texts inside AutoCAD drawing.

However, there have also been some issues that needed to be fixed. Especially when there was a difference or disconnect between drawing scale and the annotation object scale, the texts happened to show up at in some instances, but unfortunately, not on others.

Today, it is way more comfortable and convenient to include readable texts inside an AutoCAD drawing. Now, you can set text and dimensions as annotative in the Properties Palette of the AutoCAD software.

As a result, it will automatically adjust to the scale you are working on. Eventually, it happens to be the same size, regardless of what the level the designer is working in, at the paper space or model space.

Today, the feature of the annotative scale is already available within AutoCAD software. It eliminates the steps of having to copy multiple sizes of text and setting them at different sizes.

Scale Drawings in AutoCAD Software

While working with AutoCAD software, it is essential to fit your drawing onto viewports in paper space. It is vital to get the visual depiction and communication to create an AutoCAD drawing

However, not always, you will get a readymade solution for the drawing scale you want to implement. In that case, if your desired drawing scale is not available in the list, you opt for the following steps:

Open the option of “Edit Drawing Scales” window

Select “Custom…” from the list of available scales

The available scales are located in the status bar, in the lower part of the AutoCAD interface.

Add your custom drawing scales to the list

Now you can easily use them in AutoCAD viewport scale for further applications.

Therefore, you can now scale your drawings seamlessly with the help of AutoCAD. You can even create a customized and curated AutoCAD drawing, by following the steps as discussed.

A Comprehensive Idea of How to Plot to Scale in AutoCAD

At the point when you are attracting model space, you must draw “full size”. However, to depict that in a plotted deliverable, you have to determine a plot scale too. The plot scale gives you a chance to decide how to best represent your CAD configuration, given the paper size you are plotting to.

A Brief Insight on Drawing in AutoCAD Paper Space and Model Space

While making an AutoCAD drawing and plotting a paper space format, you need to remember that you are working with two scales. The size of the general design of the picture, on the thesis of the paper size (typically 1:1), and the viewport scale that shows the model.

The viewport scale matches the proportion of the paper size to the size of the model inside the viewports. Similarly, you can plot from model space and treat the plot scale as the proportion of planned units to world-size units you used to draw the model.

How to Prepare a 2D Drawing in AutoCAD?

Preparing an AutoCAD 2D drawing for a building plan is something that every designer or engineer needs to do. This drawing is the first drawing that is either passed on for the implementation. Further, this drawing is subjected to modification or detailing to the corresponding teams.

If the AutoCAD drawing is not accurately scaled at 1:1, use estimations to perceive how a lot of it is off and then scale the order, to scale everything effectively. Some essential tips to prepare a 2D drawing in AutoCAD is as follows:

Go to a format, in page arrangement, and set the printer for the design

Select an accessible paper size and the units utilized in the drawing (inch or mm)

Create a viewport on the page and double tap in the viewport to go into model space.

To set a particular scale in the viewport and see all the drawing, pick a scale on the taskbar catch, to set viewport scale.

If you have measurements in model space, the measurement style must be set to scale the measures to the opposite of the print scale.

If you put measurements in paper space, then leave the measurement scale = 1

Following the steps, as discussed, you can easily make a way to create a 2D AutoCAD drawing. Once the 2D print is created and extracted, it may be escalated to the corresponding department for further proceedings.

How to Prepare a 3D Drawing in AutoCAD?

Once you are done with the 2D drafting of the plan, you can quickly look forward to creating an AutoCAD 3D drawing out of it. A 3D plan for construction always makes it easy to understand and faster to implement.

Every details and nitty-gritty of architectural or infrastructural inputs remain depicted vividly in a 3D drafting. However, you need to draft or draw out your arrangement in 2D for sure, as a matter of first importance.

Once your 2D structure is ready, you can easily change your AutoCAD drawing via 3D creation devices and produce your 3D models utilizing the 2D plans.

The Conclusion

The discussion proceeded until now, clearly depicts a vivid and comprehensive idea about how to work with drawings and scales in AutoCAD. Following the steps and procedure, as discussed above, you can seamlessly create robust and effective AutoCAD drawing with the help of the software.

Feel free to give it a second read, if you want. Also, there are several video tutorials that may render you further tips to let you work seamlessly with the AutoCAD software.

Wish you all the best.