Viewport "Scale to Fit" Border

[janssen_l]

Hello Community,

Current Setup:

I'm using AutoCAD Electrical 2020, but this issue is not specific to the toolset. In a paper space layout I setup my title block and a viewport to model space, in model space I have a rectangle with the viewport's dimensions, which I use as my border for the schematics. In the title block (layout) I show via field the viewport scale factor, usually 1:1.

My Problem:

When I'm not making wiring schematics but a panel layout I need to extend beyond the viewport borders and thus change the scale factor in the viewport to show all, I want this to happen automatically without changes to my layout. The changed scale factor should be reflected in the title block, also only standard scale factors should be used.

My attempted solution:

I scale the rectangle in model space (which represents my viewport borders) as needed (only in standard scale steps) to enclose my complete model. I set the viewport on paper space layout on scale "Scale to Fit".

The issue:

The viewport "Scale to Fit" takes a little more space than the model, resulting in non-standard scales.

Example:

I make in model space a rectangle with 2"x2" dimensions (and anything inside), in paper space layout I make a viewport with 2"x2" dimensions and select "Scale to Fit" - theoretically the resulting "custom" scale factor should be 1:1, but because the viewport also catches a little bit space around the rectangle I get something weird "1:0.xxx-xxxxxxxx" or so. According to my idea I could increase the model rectangle to 20"x20" to fit more details inside and the viewport changes scale to 1:10, but because of above behavior it will show 1:9.5468745631

Any idea's?

Best regards,

Lukas

[RobDraw]

Don't use scale to fit. It obviously isn't the tool for the job. Use actual scales.

[natasha.l]

Hello @janssen_l, 

Thank you for posting. 

Paperspace & Modelspace are not the same, so this is as designed when you look at the Papersize view window in your Plot dialog box you can see that Paperspace will account for the Bleed border around the paper & as you mentioned the VP. In this case, when using "scale to fit" it will be smaller in Paperspace then in Modelspace. 

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[janssen_l]

Hello Natasha,

I have no issue with the printable area of my paper size, my issue is with a viewport on that paper space. The viewport fits easily within my printable area, but the model space represented within that viewport is smaller than the viewport, when using "Scale to Fit".

If the "Scale to Fit" would not add an offset around the model, than a 2x2 viewport showing a 2x2 model with "Scale to fit" should have 1:1 scale, unfortunately that's not the case.

• Any way of setting those offsets to 0?
• How are those offsets calculated, are they fixed values or dynamic?

Thank you.

[janssen_l]

Hi Rob,

The issue I have with the actual scales is that upon change the viewport zooms out from the center (versus bottom left corner), but all our drawings are with start point on 0,0 (going only left/up). So I don't have to only change the scale but also match the viewport to show all of my drawing (with 0,0 from model being shown in the bottom left corner of the viewport).

I'm preparing a template for the company and the other drawers are not used to model/paper space, they made all in model and scaled the title block up. I need to keep it as simple and automated as possible.

If the "Scale to Fit" wouldn't make this offset around the model my solution would work nicely, they can simply scale up the "frame" in model space so all fits in and on the paper space, within the viewport, all gets scaled down with the right scale factor in the title block...

[RobDraw]

There are a few ways to easily get what you want without "scale to fit". If you are willing to let it go, we can talk about what the rest of us would do.

[janssen_l]

That's why I asked in the first place...

[RobDraw · Accepted solution]

As an aside, your viewport does not need to be an exact size unless you want it that way for precise placement.

One very obvious solution is to use your current workflow to get really close to the desired result. You just need to assign the real scale once you get the view centered on the rectangle at the "scaled to fit" position.

[maratovich]

Why do you complicate your work?
If you have all the title blocks only in the model - print from the model.
What problems ?
It will be faster and more convenient if you transfer the drawings to other organizations - they will not have any problems with printing.
The forum has a lot of Lisp and other programs that print from the Model, they are even better and have more features than the publication.

[janssen_l]

Hi Maratovich,

In the case of a panel layout, the drawing will likely get out of the borders of my title block if drawn in 1:1. Scaling up the title block in model space is afaik not the correct way to do this - all ACAD literature I read so far (official & forums) tells me to draw 1:1 in model and setup scaling, dimensioning & title block in paper space...

[janssen_l]

Hi Rob,

I was hoping to get an automatic function, that does not require the drafter to change the viewport..

[RobDraw]

While rereading your OP, I noticed that you use the viewport as a border. This sounds like you are printing the viewport. If you are, stop. Use that rectangle as the printed border. This should help make things a lot easier for you to use a standard scale.

Also, while drawing 1:1 you should be aware of what the desired scale of the drawing will be so you can set things up properly like text height, dimension scale, etc. That is unless you are using annotative scaling but even if so, you should be aware of the printed scale.

[RobDraw]

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@janssen_l wrote:

Hi Rob,

I was hoping to get an automatic function, that does not require the drafter to change the viewport..

---

You're not going to get a magic button. Any (CAD) drafter should be able to easily set-up viewports. That's what they do.

[janssen_l]

Hi Rob,

I'm trying to upload the drawing I refer to - but something doesn't work...

Regarding the drafters - as mentioned, this setup is for electrical drawings, the drafters never worked with pspace or viewports.

I do not use the viewport as a border - I made a rectangle in mspace of the same dimensions as the viewport - so that I see where my page ends when drawing 1:1...

[RobDraw]

If you're just going to make excuses to dismiss suggestions, I'm done.

If you want to talk about the options and learn, I'm all ears.

BTW, your drafters should know this stuff. Time for them to step up or ship out.

[pendean]

>>>...trying to upload the drawing I refer to - but...<<<

You have to come to the website, click REPLY to one of these messages, to be able to post files ad share images.

HTH

[janssen_l]

Hi Pendean,

That's what I tried, I wrote my text and selected the file in "Attachments", but when clicking "Post" the page reloads and my written text is still there but the attachment file is gone. Can it be that it's a DWT?

[maratovich]

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@janssen_l wrote:

Hi Maratovich,

In the case of a panel layout, the drawing will likely get out of the borders of my title block if drawn in 1:1. Scaling up the title block in model space is afaik not the correct way to do this - all ACAD literature I read so far (official & forums) tells me to draw 1:1 in model and setup scaling, dimensioning & title block in paper space...

---

1. If you have a lot of time, then you will do as written in the help.
2. If you need to quickly - do as I wrote. Get your red button.
From the time of work is considered the country's GDP.
Attach to the message of the example of your dwg file, it will be easier for others to help you.

Similar messages constantly appear on the forum, everyone is trying to do as in the help, but for them it is difficult, they do not understand, many problems and for a long time. Remember the joke about a ballpoint pen and a pencil in space.

[janssen_l]

Hi Rob,

I will implement for now the proposed workflow (scale to fit > change scale), I guess when I document step-by-step this should work. In future I might automate this process via LISP...

Thank you for your help! I just started AutoCAD about a month ago and was hoping to oversee the obvious...

Best regards,

Lukas

[oksailor]

it's not a scale, but set your scale to none on your title page and then in your paperspace window hit z and rectangle select around what you want to fit in your viewport.... done!