Scale of viewports

[Scott]

In the past I have always inserted viewports that I set the scale by going into the viewport from the layout tab, clicking zoom scale and then setting the scale using an xp factor. For example 1/96xp would equal 1/8" scale viewport. The company I am with now has there draws set up where the viewports automatically are set to 1/8" scale and when you want to change the scale you type mvsetup, then select scale from a veriety of options, pick the viewport and tell it to scale it based on a ratio of 1/8" scale. For example if I want the viewport to be 1/4" scale I will enter a scale of 2. First is there something I am missing, because this seams like a backwards way of scaling. Is there a function that this serves? Second is it easy to change this setting so I can scale viewports the way I am use to doing?

[lpseifert]

Don't use Mvsetup, there's more than one way to skin a cat, here's a couple...

Click on an unlocked viewport and change the scale in properties...

or Zoom > Center > 1/96xp (for 1/8" scale)

[Scott]

lpseifert, thank you for replying, however I must not have been clear in my original thread. I usually do scale a viewport using xp, for example 1/8" would be 1/96xp. However I am working on drawings I did not set up and when I go into a viewport and type 1/96xp, the scale actually goes down to a differnt scale. (I can't tell you what scale as the viewport is also set up to give you the true dimension of a line whether in working in model through the viewport or in layout, but that is another quesiton for another time). The issue is the viewport is automatically set up for 1/8" scale and if I want any different scale I have to figure it as a ratio of 1/8". For example if I want a 1/2" scale drawing I have to indicate that I want a scale of 4 (which is 4 times the size of 1/8").

[smorales02]

It might be that the actual entities are drawn to that scale in modelspace, and not drawn 1:1...just a thought.

[ABuckingham]

I scale my viewports using the viewports toolbar. I like having a drop-down menu with architectural scales so I don't have to think.

[Tiger]

Is the viewport set to 1/8-scale? If you mark it and bring up properties is that what it says? I have a bunch of drawings that are done in 1:400-scale but the viewports are set to 1:1 and the Page Setup has a plotscale set to 1:400. Do you have the same? The reason I was given for it was that texts and arrows and stuff is easier to handle with LTSCALE and DIMSCALE .... I don't agree, but that's the reason I was given...

 

Sometimes it's just easiest to live it - and make a cheat-sheet on what scales you need to set to get the correct scale in the end.

[Scott]

Tiger, To answer your question the properties of the viewport say it is 1:1.

[smorales02]

Since the VP says 1:1 than your model space entites must be drawn at the 1/8 scale. I would highly suggest to change everything in modelsapce to be 1:1 than you can chnge the Vp to be anything you like.

[Tiger]

Smorales - Everything in the Model Space can still be drawn to 1:1-scale - it's the Paper Space that is not done in 1:1.

 

Scott - while you are in Paper Space, measure the "paper", i.e. the black square behind your viewports and what-nots. That should be larger than the actual paper that the drawing is suppose to be printed on. Or smaller. At least it shouldn't be the exact paper size that it should be if you follow my thought.

 

You asked how you can change this so that you can use xp-scales like your used to. It's not hard to redo the drawing so that it fits how you want to do, it is something that you have to do in every drawing, I can give you a step-by-step on how I do it if you want.

 

But you should really check with however's in charge if you should do it - if everyone in the company does it like this, then it could wreak havoc if you suddenly start re-doing drawings. If the reson he-who-is-in-charge gives is "because we've always done it like this" I'd say explore the possibilities of a policy change.