Extracting view from one file and putting into another

[ahicks_ATS]

I have a drawing of a floorplan with conduit and equiptment that I need to print out.  I have the file with the drawing and another file with the border and job info that I need to put the drawing on.  The building is so large that I can't get it to fit on one drawing with a workable scale.  How do I copy a section or view from the drawing and put it on the file with the border?

[Anonymous]

If you have the title block located on a layout tab, then you can adjust the 'viewport scale' to fit your model objects from the other file.

You have the other file that contains the floor plan as an 'xref' into the drawing with the title block?

[ahicks_ATS]

How do I make the title block into a layout tab?

[Anonymous]

Well, the best practice is to not XREF the title block.

Copy the title block (control-C) then paste (control-V) into the layout tab.

Then you control the view of the title block with the page setup for the layout tab, which is like setting pre-defined plot settings.

[ahicks_ATS]

I've gotten that far.  Now all I have to do is set the title block to the correct size and use the print view option to select just whats inside the titleblock and print to scale.  Am I forgetting any steps?

[jggerth]

To be honest, yes.  CAD is a complex technology, and fundamentally requires some level of education in (a) how to draw and (b) how to use the software,  The best advice anyone can give you is to spend some time in school, or working in a mentoring environment where there can be hands-on assistance  to walk you through the basics.

[ahicks_ATS]

That'd be nice.  Instead the autocad guy left the company and I was thrown into it with zero training.  But this forum's community is super helpful. 

[john.vellek]

Hi @ahicks_ATS,

This sounds like a real challenge without any training. Can you attach your file(s) so I can take a look? If the information is private you can email to me directly at john.vellek@autodesk.com

[john.vellek]

Hi @ahicks_ATS,

I looked at your file and set the insert units to inches instead of feet. Then, in the first layout tab I inserted your titleblock file and scaled by a factor of 12. I think this brings to a 1:1 size. Please let me know if this is incorrect.

Then, I created a viewport using the MVIEW command. I dropped it on the current layer but you will want to put it on a nonplot layer that matches your other files.

Lastly, I double-clicked inside the viewport and then set the scale by selecting 1:100 from the scale List at the bottom of the AutoCAD window.

I applied a 17"x22" paper size to the layout and selected your AIA plot style.

I hope this gets you close to where you need to be,.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[ahicks_ATS]

Thanks a lot!  I'm a little hung up on the MVIEW.  I've brought in the title block as a layout on the second tab and setup the area for the MVIEW.  I'm not sure how to drop the viewpoint on the model page.  

[Anonymous]

The scale of the title block in layout should be 1:1; if its supposed to plot at 22x34 then that's how big the border should be.

Then use MVIEW to to create a viewport through which you'll view the model space components.  double-click inside the viewport and zoom extents.  double-click outside the viewport, then select the viewport.  If the properties palette is not already open hit ctrl+1, and in the properties box look for the viewport scale and set it to something that will still fit in the viewport.

There's a couple million other things to do, but that will get you to a scaled plot.

[ahicks_ATS]

What I'm having trouble with is when I set up the MVIEW rectangle in the layout tab I don't see the drawing on the model tab.  If I click into the MVIEW rectangle and mess with the views I can see the drawing but when I click out of the rectangle or stop manipulating the drawing it goes back to being blank.  Is there a step I've missed?  I've looked online for a good video tutorial but I've not found the right one for AutoCAD 2017.

[Anonymous]

hmmm.... set UCSFOLLOW = 0

In PAPERSPACE on a LAYOUT tab

click in the viewport

ZOOM into the area you want to display.

click out of the viewport still in LAYOUT tab

What happens??

[john.vellek]

Hi @ahicks_ATS,

You can create the viewport as large as you want as long as it fits within your border. Once you have it in place, double-click inside it and then select the scale from the bottom of your screen.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[john.vellek]

Hi @ahicks_ATS,

I am checking back to see if my post or others helped you with your problem. Please add a post with how you decide to proceed and your results so other Community members may benefit.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.