Steps to Clip a Drawing in AutoCAD
Understanding Clipping in AutoCAD
Clipping is a powerful feature in AutoCAD that allows users to focus on specific areas of a drawing by hiding unwanted portions. This can be particularly useful when working with large designs or external references (XREFs).
How to Clip an External Reference (XREF)
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Select the XREF: Start by clicking on the external reference that you want to clip in your drawing.
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Access the Clipping Panel: Navigate to the External References tab located in the ribbon at the top of the screen. Look for the Clipping panel and select the option labeled "Create Clipping Boundary."
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Delete Existing Boundaries: If prompted, confirm that you want to delete any existing clipping boundary to start fresh.
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Choose the Clipping Shape: You can create a clipping boundary using a polyline, or you may specify a rectangular or polygonal boundary depending on your requirements.
- Finalize the Clipping: Once you’ve defined your desired boundary, confirm the selection to establish the clip.
Creating a Clipping Mask
If you want to hide specific areas within your drawing rather than just an external reference, you can use a clipping mask.
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Open the Wipeout Tool: Go to the Annotate tab, and locate the Markup panel. Here, select the Wipeout option.
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Define the Mask Area: Click to specify a sequence of points that outline the perimeter of the area you wish to cover. Alternatively, if you have a closed polyline, you can enter the letter ‘P’ and select the polyline to use as your mask.
- Complete the Command: Confirm your selection by pressing Enter to finish the masking process.
Flipping a Clipped Area
To change the orientation of a previously clipped boundary:
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Enable Clipping Visualization: Ensure that the IMAGEFRAME system variable is set to 1. This will allow you to see the clipping boundaries.
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Select the Clipped Boundary: Click on the boundary that you wish to flip. A grip icon will appear at the midpoint of the clipped edge.
- Invert the Clip: Click on the grip to invert the direction of the clipping region. The grip will now point in the opposite direction.
Cropping a DWG File
To crop an entire AutoCAD drawing file, follow these steps:
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Unlock the Drawing: Right-click on the drawing and select "CAD Drawing Object," then choose Properties from the context menu.
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Use the Crop Tool: Right-click again and select the Crop Tool option.
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Adjust the Crop Area: Drag the adjustment handles to define the new area to keep.
- Finalize Cropping: Once satisfied with the selected area, click on the Pointer tool to confirm your changes.
Making Multiple Xclips
If you need to create multiple clipped areas from the same XREF:
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Create the First Clip: Follow the previous steps to create the initial clipping area around the desired region of your XREF.
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Duplicate the XREF: Copy the clipped XREF and place it at the new location where you want it to appear.
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Select the Copied XREF: Click on the new XREF you just pasted.
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Define New Clipping Boundaries: Drag the pickboxes to create a new clipping area in the desired location.
- Repeat as Needed: Continue this process to create additional clips as required.
FAQ
Q1: What types of objects can be clipped in AutoCAD?
Clipping can be applied to various objects in AutoCAD, including external references (XREFs), images, viewports, and underlays, allowing for versatile control over visibility.
Q2: Is there a way to adjust clipping boundaries after creation?
Yes, you can easily modify or redefine the clipping boundaries by selecting the existing clipped object and using the appropriate editing commands.
Q3: Can I save the clipped areas for future use?
Once you have clipped an object, you can save your drawing, and the clipping boundaries will remain intact for future sessions unless specifically deleted or modified.
