6.1 Page setup and layout configuration

Page setup and layout configuration are crucial for creating professional CAD drawings. These settings determine how your designs will look when printed or shared. From choosing the right paper size to setting up viewports, mastering these tools is key to presenting your work effectively.

Layouts help organize complex designs into manageable views. By creating multiple layouts, you can showcase different aspects of your project without altering the original model. This flexibility allows you to tailor your presentations to various audiences and purposes.

Page setups for various sizes

Standard drawing sheet sizes

Top images from around the web for Standard drawing sheet sizes

• 

  Open Source AutoCAD Template, Tutorial, .DWG File Download, Blocks, etc. View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Paper size - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Velikost papíru - Paper size - qaz.wiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Open Source AutoCAD Template, Tutorial, .DWG File Download, Blocks, etc. View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Paper size - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Standard drawing sheet sizes

• 

  Open Source AutoCAD Template, Tutorial, .DWG File Download, Blocks, etc. View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Paper size - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Velikost papíru - Paper size - qaz.wiki View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Open Source AutoCAD Template, Tutorial, .DWG File Download, Blocks, etc. View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Paper size - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Configure page setups for standard drawing sheet sizes including A (A0-A4), B (B0-B4), C, D, and E series paper sizes
• Set up page layouts using architectural sheet sizes (24x36, 18x24, 12x18, 11x17) for construction drawings and blueprints
• Utilize ISO standard paper sizes (A4, A3, A2, A1, A0) for international projects and collaboration with global teams
• Apply ANSI standard sheet sizes (A, B, C, D, E) for engineering drawings and technical documentation in North America

Page orientation and custom sizes

• Set page orientation to landscape for wide drawings with horizontal emphasis (floor plans, sections) or portrait for tall, vertical layouts (elevations, details)
• Create custom page sizes to accommodate specific project requirements, such as large-format posters, banners, or non-standard sheet sizes
• Configure the printable area, margins, and plot offset for accurate printing and plotting on custom page sizes
• Adjust page settings to optimize the use of drawing space and minimize paper waste when using non-standard sheet sizes

Layout templates for consistent drawings

Creating and modifying templates

• Create layout templates as pre-configured arrangements of drawing views, title blocks, and annotations for reuse across multiple drawings
• Include predefined layer settings, text styles, dimension styles, and other drawing standards in templates to ensure consistency
• Modify existing templates to suit specific project or company requirements, such as adding custom title blocks, logos, or drawing borders
• Build templates from scratch by setting up the desired layout, adding standard drawing elements, and defining drawing settings and styles

Sharing and standardizing templates

• Save layout templates for reuse in future projects or sharing with team members
• Establish a library of standard templates for different drawing types (architectural, mechanical, electrical) to maintain consistency across disciplines
• Share templates among team members using a central repository or project management system to ensure everyone is working with the latest version
• Implement drawing standards and guidelines in templates to enforce consistency and adhere to company or industry best practices

Managing layout settings

Plot scale and paper size

• Select the appropriate plot scale to determine the relationship between the size of objects in the drawing and their printed size on paper
• Choose a plot scale that ensures drawing elements are printed at the desired size and fit within the chosen paper size (1:100, 1:50, 1:20)
• Set paper size to match the intended output format, such as A4 for reports, A3 for presentations, or larger sizes for construction drawings
• Adjust plot scale and paper size in layout settings to optimize the use of drawing space and maintain readability of text and annotations

Configuring plot settings

• Configure drawing orientation (landscape or portrait) in layout settings to match the desired output format and page layout
• Select plot style tables to control the appearance of lines, hatches, and colors in the printed output
• Choose the appropriate plot device (printer or plotter) based on the required output quality and media type (paper, vellum, film)
• Adjust plot settings, such as line weights, screening, and color mapping, to ensure accurate representation of drawing elements in the printed output

Organizing drawings using multiple layouts

Creating multiple views and details

• Utilize multiple layouts within a single drawing file to create different views, scales, and annotations without modifying the original model
• Create separate layouts for plan views, elevations, sections, and detailed views to present various aspects of the design in a single file
• Set unique settings for each layout, including scale, paper size, and viewport configuration, to optimize the presentation of drawing content
• Organize layouts in a logical manner, such as by floor level, building area, or system type, to facilitate easy navigation within the drawing file

Using viewports and layer management

• Create viewports within layouts to display specific portions of the model at different scales or with different layer visibility settings
• Use viewports to focus on important details or highlight specific areas of interest within the overall design
• Manage layer visibility within viewports to control the display of drawing elements and reduce visual clutter
• Assign descriptive names to layouts and viewports to clearly identify their content and purpose within the drawing set