Why do we set limits in AutoCAD?

[dipakrv2012]

I have read the article about how to set the limits but I do not know why do we need to set the limits? how does it help us? what is the importance of setting the limits?

[tramber]

You can set LIMCHECK to 1 so that the limits are active. It can help.

(On/Off in the LIMITS command)

In older versions it also was made to set the grid appareance. Meaning the grid was drawn exactly up to the limit but not beyond. You can still obtain that result with a few settings.

I use limits active (on) when i teach Autocad to a child 😉

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> why do we need to set the limits?

It's based on a very old decision, when AutoCAD did not have layouts.

There you were drawing all in modelspace, also the drawing border and titleblock. Setting the limits (and checking) helped the user to not draw anything outside the border/warn him if he/she tried it.

Nowadays I would say: it's not usual to use it.

- alfred -

[dipakrv2012]

Okay to clear my more dought about this, suppose I fixed limits and zoomed out so I barely see my objects drawed

in that window limit, now somewhere else I have drawn another object outside of the limit, then how can I go to the limit window immediately?

[tramber]

Make a try...

Last but not Least, limits have an influence on ZOOM ALL. 😉If they go beyond what is drawn they are taken into account by this zoom.

[RobDraw]

Limits is an antiquated variable. Not much value today.

[tramber]

I don't agree with my colleagues 😎

It happens that i use them, for my children, for a question of zoom, to set the size of my grids (don't like them in 100% of the model).

It is true that i don't put them active for myself.

@dipakrv2012 , if i answered the all that you wanted to know, you may mark my answers as solutions !

[RobDraw]

You have a special need and you can disagree based on that but please remember that most here are using the software in a professional environment where the usage of limits is not common practice. Many only become aware of the setting when it accidentally gets in the way of their work.

Your "solution" is actually an opinion based on very unusual circumstances. 

[tramber]

Dear @RobDraw , seing a grid at a desire side is not a so special need ! Very practical in 3D.

Nothing antique for me.

My answer has been the widest i could make. There is no solution but a panel of answers around the topic. This is what was asked.

[Kent1Cooper · Accepted solution]

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@dipakrv2012 wrote:

.... how can I go to the limit window immediately?

---

I set Limits to the main area I want, not for the Limits checking function, but so that I can do exactly that, using this ZL command:

(defun C:ZL (); Zoom Limits
  (command "_.'zoom" (getvar 'limmin) (getvar 'limmax))
  (princ)
)

You can type it in with an apostrophe prefix:

'ZL

even in the middle of some other command.

[RobDraw]

Like I said, you are entitled to your opinion but it isn't typical for most. Sometimes you need to realize that a particular point of view is, well, limited.

[tramber]

Limited ?

When you work often in 3D and can't stand the UCS icon, it is more than cumfortable to use the grid.

My point of view is widely open

😎

edit=especially since this icon became an object, years ago.

[RobDraw]

For someone who doesn't use it, except for teaching children, you sure are putting a lot of effort into defending an opinion. 

[tramber]

You are funny.

It is true that i don't put the grid on often but when i need it i do those tricks (limited grid, to the size of some limits, ucs icon off), still.

It's been more than 20 years now, using 3D from the top, on R2000. I found the grid even more practicle when the ucsicon appeared to be manipulable.

But for 2D, i still teach the grid for many reasons. Not for opinions ! and with no efforts !

I told about : variables, zoom all, the main concepts. That was my answer, quite accurate regarding the question.

This is my solution : to answer the questions and to dig 😉

[pendean]

@tramber We are all glad this old tool still means something to you: I'm curious about your inability to reply to the person you are talking to instead of barraging the poor OP with your rants though, do you need guidance on how to use the forums correctly? Sort of offensive to the OP.

Pay attention moving forward please.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@pendean wrote:

... I'm curious about your inability to reply to the person you re talking to instead of barraging the poor OP with your rants though, do you need guidance on how to use the forums correctly? ....  Pay attention moving forward please.

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In short, don't use the "Reply to the topic..." slot at the bottom, which always comes through as being in Reply to Message 1 from the OP.  Instead, use the boxed REPLY button near the bottom right in the particular Message you're Replying to.  And for greater clarity, quote that Message -- pick on the fat double-quote symbol in the toolbar and edit down to just the specific thing you're Replying about.

[dipakrv2020]

Sir I have tried ZL and 'ZL but its not working.

[Kent1Cooper]

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@dipakrv2020 wrote:
Sir I have tried ZL and 'ZL but its not working.

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That is never enough information.  What happens?  Does it Zoom at all, though not to the Limits you expect?  What's different about the resulting view area?  Does nothing at all happen?  Does it accept the command name, or do you get an error message about an unknown command?  What does the Command line show [it doesn't suppress command echoing, so it will report what it's done]?  Etc., etc.

[pendean]

@dipakrv2012 Forgive me the dumb question, but how exactly did you get the posted lisp into your session of AutoCAD? Details please.

[dipakrv2012]

I tried both ZL and 'ZL but its saying unknown command.