Model view and layout views

[jgarner]

What are the general purposes for the model and layout views? Is layout view for printing purposes? Also, I have been using some of the sample drawings that come with AutoCAD and have noticed that some of the samples will display different items depending on whether you're in the model view or layout view. Usually the layout view shows a more comlete drawing. How and why is this done?

[ReMark]

Model space is where you draw your object, at full scale. Paper space is for your sheet layout. Typically, your title block and border, all notes and miscellaneous text go here. Now comes the hard part. Some CAD users also place all their dimensions in paper space as well. On the other hand, many CAD users still dimension in model space. I suppose it is a matter of how you learned AutoCAD and/or who your teacher was.

Those of us who remember and used AutoCAD when there was no such thing as paper space may be a little reluctant to make the switch. There are pros and cons to each viewpoint so the choice is either up to you or the company you are working for.

One advantage to paper space is that the CAD user can have multiple drawings on a sheet and they all can have a different scale. Another advantage is that when it comes time to plot this sheet, the scale is 1:1. What could be easier?

Caveat: this is just one user's opinion. Others are free to offer their own point of view.

[Ferdinand]

You need to reading AutoCAD Help... I think it is unnecessary to copy down here...

[ReMark]

I have a copy, in PDF format, of an article published about model space and paper space that might clear some things up for you. If you would like me to email you a copy just send me a private message.

[StykFacE]

What are the general purposes for the model and layout views? Is layout view for printing purposes? Also, I have been using some of the sample drawings that come with AutoCAD and have noticed that some of the samples will display different items depending on whether you're in the model view or layout view. Usually the layout view shows a more comlete drawing. How and why is this done?

it depends on your printing preferences. i usually have 5 to 20 sheets i have to print per job. all of my prints are architectual drawings, so they're HUGE when drawn to 1:1 scale. using Layout (or Paperspace) i can EASILY scale the drawings, arrange the page how i want it, and copy Layout Tabs while keeping the existing Titleblock info. (my company titleblock stays in Layout, all drawings in Model)

if i was to use model space, i would have to re-scale the Titleblocks for pretty much every single drawing, not to mention copy section after section because it's too big to print on even a large plotter. and these are just the few things i can think of, there's lots more to speak on this topic.