Understanding the Viewport Outline in AutoCAD
Viewport outlines in AutoCAD are the frames that define the boundaries of your layouts. Occasionally, it may be necessary to hide these outlines for a cleaner presentation or when preparing for printing. Below is a detailed guide on how to hide viewport outlines effectively in AutoCAD.
Steps to Hide Viewport Outlines
Step 1: Selecting the Viewport
Begin by navigating to the layout that contains the viewport you wish to modify. Click on the viewport you want to hide the outline for. A selection box should appear around the viewport, indicating that it is active.
Step 2: Accessing the Properties Palette
Once the viewport is selected, open the Properties palette. You can do this by clicking on the “View” tab located in the top menu. Then, select “Palettes” and choose “Properties” from the dropdown menu. You may also press CTRL + 1 as a shortcut to open the Properties palette directly.
Step 3: Modifying Shade Plot Options
With the Properties palette now open, scroll down to find the section labeled “Misc.” Within this section, look for the “Shade Plot” field. Click on this field and select “Legacy Hidden” from the options. This setting will eliminate the display of the viewport outline while retaining the details within the viewport.
Alternative Method: Making Viewport Frames Invisible
Step 1: Go to the Appropriate Layout
Open the layout that contains the viewport whose frame you want to make invisible. Make sure you are working in the correct layout space where your viewport is located.
Step 2: Access the Layer Properties Manager
Click on the “Home” tab, find the “Layers” dropdown, and then select “Layer Properties.” This will bring up the Layer Manager, where you can manage different layers related to your viewport.
Step 3: Create a New Layer for the Viewport
In the Layer Properties Manager, click on the button to create a new layer. Name this layer appropriately, perhaps something like “Viewport_Overlay.” After naming it, ensure you freeze this new layer by clicking on the “Freeze” icon, which will prevent the viewport outlines from being displayed.
Navigating Layout and Model Tabs
Step 1: Displaying or Hiding Layout Tabs
If you need to further manage how your layouts are presented, look for the Model Space tab at the bottom of your application window. Right-click on this tab and select “Display Layout and Model Tabs”. To hide the layout tabs again, right-click any tab and choose “Hide Layout And Model Tabs.”
Step 2: Final Adjustments in the Layout
After adjusting the viewport properties or layer settings, ensure that your final output appears as required. You can preview the layout by using the “Plot” option in the “File” menu to verify that the viewport outlines are indeed hidden.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I restore the viewport outline after hiding it?
Yes, you can easily revert the settings back by accessing the Properties palette again and changing the “Shade Plot” option from “Legacy Hidden” to “As Displayed”. This will bring back the viewport outline.
2. Will hiding the viewport frame affect my printed output?
No, hiding the viewport frame does not impact the contents within the viewport. The view will remain clear and only the outline will be excluded when printing.
3. What should I do if the Properties palette doesn’t appear?
If the Properties palette does not appear, use the shortcut CTRL + 1 or check if it is minimized in your workspace. If it is still not visible, consider resetting your workspace settings or restarting AutoCAD to resolve the issue.
