Idiot question about paper space/model space?

[Hopinc]

Hi Guys,

 

I have been using AutoCAD now for well over 20 years, but I have to admit that for all this time I have totally ignored paper space - in truth I never saw a use for it.

 

Recently I have received some drawings in paper space view and I am ashamed to say I don't know how to switch them back to model space - how do I do this?

 

Regards.

 

Dave

[Dana W]

type model.

 

The drawings are probably in modelspace (with the exception of borderlines & title block) It is you that is in paperspace. :wink: typing model will switch you back to modelspace.

 

Look in Help to see how to display the modelspace and paperspace layout tabs if they are not showing now. That makes switching in and out easier.

[Hopinc]

Thanks for your reply.

 

I had actually tried typing in model, but everything went blank. What was happening of course was that the geometry had changed to black on a black background. A simple window change made it visible again.

 

I was experiencing the classic "A black button on a black background, with black text, that lights up black to tell you you've pressed it" - Ref. "Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy."

 

Regards.

 

Dave

[JD Mather]

Hi Guys,

I have been using AutoCAD now for well over 20 years, but I have to admit that for all this time I have totally ignored paper space - in truth I never saw a use for it.

 

Dave

 

 

Find out how to use paperspace, once you know how you will realize no other method is correct.

I taught without using paperspace for five years - I should have been sued for malpractice.

 

I had never been trained in using paperspace and couldn't grasp why or how to use it.

I had students who had had previous classes using paperspace, but they didn't really seem to understand what it was all about.

 

Finally I got a position where I had to learn it. Don't recall what book I used, but I has invested considerable effort in trying to discover what all the fuss was about until I finally found a book that really explained it well. Now that I teach it I know I can easily demonstrate the techniques, but I'm not sure I could write something that would help others learning on their own. All I can say it is worth your time to figure this paperspace stuff out. No other way is correct. Period. (flame suite on)

[Dana W]

My Daughter keeps telling me I should read that book, "but I have to suspend my redneckyness".

 

Don't worry, a considerable while back I originally drew on a white modelspace/paperspace background until I found out how tiring it could be on the eyes after a 12 hour day. One day I switched the backgrounds to black on the advice of my only co-worker while he was on vacation. Unfortunately, this was the same co-worker who showed me how to make my lines all 'Black'. So I had to switch back to a light background until I figured out the difference between 'white' (black) and BLACK.

[Dana W]

Hi Guys,

Find out how to use paperspace, once you know how you will realize no other method is correct.

I taught without using paperspace for five years - I should have been sued for malpractice.

(flame suite on)

 

I'm with you. I'm dressed like Dale Earnheardt Jr, all in nomex and I have my finger over the halon system trigger.

[Hopinc]

Guys, why so worried about expressing an opinion? I can't find my Swan Vestas anywhere .

 

Dana W, I always use a dark background for AutoCAD, but I don't use black, I use a slightly warmer colour which is RGB 33,33,33. A pure black is almost as much of an eyestrain as white.

 

Re Model/Paper space. I have been doing a little research and it seems to me (correct me if I am wrong) that it is most useful for creating drawing views when using AutoCAD for 3D modelling.

 

Since I use both Inventor Pro and SolidWorks Premium, I won't (never have) use AutoCAD for solid modelling. I still can't see paper space being the ultimate panacea that JD is suggesting? Useful maybe???

 

Can anyone link me to a decent vido tutorial for it?

 

Regards.

 

Dave

 

BTW- I know that AutoCAD can perform freeform surfacing, whereas with Inventor you can't, unless you also have Alias (which I do).

[eldon]

Guys, why so worried about expressing an opinion? I can't find my Swan Vestas anywhere .

 

It is just because I have opinions that one CAN survive without using Paper Space, and obviously, I have them worried

[JD Mather]

Since I use both Inventor Pro and SolidWorks Premium, I won't (never have) use AutoCAD for solid modelling. I still can't see paper space being the ultimate panacea that JD is suggesting? Useful maybe???

 

 

Well, I was only suggesting for those who are stuck with using an obsolete program like AutoCAD. Of course if you have a modern MCAD program and your work is typically MCAD there is little use for AutoCAD. Paperspace/Modelspace works more like Inventor ipt(iam)/idw or SolidWorks sldprt(sldasm)/sldrw execept clunky and not really associative without jumping through hurdles.

You do both 3D and 2D in modelspace (yes guys sol* commands are used in paperspace but geometry in modelspace) at 1:1 scale. Then set up your drawing in paperspace. No need for scale calculations. The model is 1:1 just like real world. The paper is 1:1 (with scaled to suite views) just like the paper drawing in the real world. No need for scale calculations.

[Hopinc]

... for those who are stuck with using an obsolete program like AutoCAD.

 

Careful JD you might need more than that flame proof suite after all.

 

Dave

[ReMark]

With that "obsolete program like AutoCAD" the company I work for has produced process piping & instrumentation diagrams, process flow & process block diagrams, tank and equipment fabrication drawings, site plans, building layouts, pipe rack designs, electrical, plumbing and thermal plume (air & water) diagrams, piping layouts, geotechnical diagrams, construction drawings for buildings, dikes, and tank farms, architectural drawings, etc. Use Inventor to do this? What, are you out of your mind? I think someone is in need of a reality check. The only other option available would be to buy a different AutoDesk vertical product for each discipline and I don't see that happening either.

[Hopinc]

Hello ReMark,

 

I was waiting with hushed breath for that sword of yours to fall.

 

Please don't jump to the assumption that everyone agrees with JD on this matter, I categorically don't.

 

Over the years I have seen many solid modelling programs prophesy the end of 2-D, most have learnt to their cost that it will never happen. Plainly there are some things that are both quicker and easier in 2-D when you don't have to consider the Z axis.

 

I well remember when Inventor came out, it did not even recognise a ".dwg" file. Autodesk suffered greatly for that blunder. And, guess what ".dwg" is now the worldwide de-facto standard accepted by all players in the market.

 

There is no point becoming agitated about JD's opinion of AutoCAD. He is welcome to it, but I do defend his right to express it. Personally, I will continue to use both 2-D and solid modelling to their best advantage. To do otherwise would be ostrtich like stupidity.

 

Whilst I think that JD has some peculiar opinions, I am not sure that he is not playing "Devil's advocate" in this case and has just gone off for the weekend after stirring the pot to see what rises.

 

Regards.

 

Dave

Edited August 28, 2010 by Hopinc

[ReMark]

I too fully respect JDM's right to his opinion as well. I get a bit annoyed at the suggestion that Inventor is the cure for every CAD related problem. I am not agitated. If I were there would be no doubt that I was...believe me. LOL