How to Use Wipeout Option in AutoCAD

Understanding the Wipeout Feature in AutoCAD

The Wipeout feature in AutoCAD allows users to obscure specific areas of a drawing without permanently altering or deleting the underlying geometry. It essentially creates shapes that mimic the background color, effectively masking components beneath them. This functionality is especially useful for improving visual clarity in complex drawings or presentations.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding a Wipeout to a Circle in AutoCAD

1. Draw a Polygon: To create a shape resembling a circle, initiate the POLYGON command.
2. Specify Sides: When prompted, enter 36 for the number of sides. This will result in a pline that closely resembles a circle.
3. Invoke Wipeout Command: After creating the polygon, use the WIPEOUT command as you normally would. Choose the Polyline option and select the polygon you just created. The area inside will now be masked.

Converting a Polyline to a Wipeout

To transform a polyline into a wipeout:

• You can activate the Wipeout tool by clicking on its icon in the Draw toolbar.
• Alternatively, access it from the Draw menu or type wipeout in the command line and hit Enter.

Adding Wipeout to Text

To mask text within AutoCAD:

1. Initiate Wipeout: Type WIPEOUT into the command line and press Enter.
2. Select Offset Option: Choose the offset option when prompted.
3. Control Frame Visibility: To toggle the display of the wipeout frame surrounding your text, use the WIPEOUTFRAME system variable and set its value to 1 (visible) or 0 (hidden).

Managing Wipeout Frame Visibility

To change the display of wipeout frames:

1. Open the Annotate tab and navigate to the Markup panel.
2. At the prompt, enter F for Frames.
3. You will then have options to set the frame to On, Off, or Display But Not Plot.

Utilizing the Wipeout Command

To employ the wipeout functionality:

1. Start by typing wi or selecting wipeout from the Draw drop-down menu.
2. Define the area to wipe out by clicking at the desired points to create a boundary.
3. Hit Enter once you have outlined the area to complete the action. If desired, a polyline can also be specified for a more precise boundary.

How to Mask a Shape

For masking a specific shape or area:

1. Access the Annotate tab and locate the Markup panel to find the Wipeout option.
2. Click to define the perimeter of the area to mask, entering points in sequence. Alternatively, you can select an existing closed polyline to act as your boundary.
3. Confirm your selection by pressing Enter.

Employing Xclip in AutoCAD

To use Xclip for clipping objects like references or blocks:

• Start by entering XCLIP in the command line and press Enter. You will then be prompted to select the object you wish to clip.

Understanding the Significance of Red Circles

In AutoCAD, red circles indicate potential wall cleanup issues. These marks are typically set to be non-plotting by default. Users can check this setting or adjust wall properties to rectify the issue for improved cleanliness in design.

Resizing Text with the TEXTFIT Command

The TEXTFIT command allows for the adjustment of existing single-line text to fit into a specified space, making it particularly useful when working with title blocks. To modify the start point of the text, use the Start Point option to select new placement coordinates.

Changing Text Types

To update the text type in AutoCAD:

1. Navigate to the Home tab and select the Annotation panel.
2. Click on Text Style to open the dialog box.
3. In there, you can create a new style, select font options, set size, oblique angle, character spacing, and other properties as needed.

Differences Between Text and MText

Text in AutoCAD refers to single-line text with limited formatting options. In contrast, MText allows for multiple lines with varying fonts and styles within a single element, providing greater flexibility and functionality for complex textual layouts.

FAQs

1. Can I adjust the boundaries of a wipeout after it’s created?
Once a wipeout is established, it can only be modified by redrawing it. Adjust the original polyline or create a new wipeout for changes.

2. Are there limitations on the shapes I can create with the wipeout command?
The wipeout command works best with polylines that are closed and have linear segments, ensuring they have zero width for effective masking.

3. How do I ensure my wipeout does not plot on paper?
By default, wipeouts should not plot. However, check the frame settings and ensure they are set to “Display But Not Plot” if visibility is needed during drawing but not during printing.