How To View Windows In AutoCAD

Opening Multiple Windows in AutoCAD

To view two drawings simultaneously in AutoCAD, you need to launch a new instance of the application. Begin by double-clicking the DWG file you wish to open; this action will start AutoCAD with that specific drawing file. Next, access another instance of AutoCAD through either your desktop shortcut or the Start menu. Once open, use the OPEN command to navigate to and select a second drawing. This approach allows you to arrange both AutoCAD windows side by side for easy reference.

Changing the View of a Window in AutoCAD

To modify how you view your drawing in AutoCAD, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the layout tabs at the bottom of the AutoCAD interface and click on the layout tab you wish to focus on.
2. Go to the Layout tab and find the Layout Viewports panel. Click on the Clip command.
3. Select an existing object to define the new boundary for your viewport or manually specify the corners of a new boundary.
4. After setting your desired viewport, click OK to apply these changes.

Understanding New Windows in AutoCAD

Sometimes, multiple AutoCAD windows may open unexpectedly. This situation often occurs after an improper uninstallation of AutoCAD. The remnants in the Windows registry can lead to .dwg files still being associated with the AutoCAD DWG Launcher, resulting in new instances opening when attempting to access drawing files.

Opening Multiple AutoCAD Files Simultaneously

To open several AutoCAD files at the same time, first access the directory where the DWG files are stored. Click to select a file, then, while holding the SHIFT key, click on the last file in the desired group. This action highlights all selected files. Once your selection is complete, click the Open button to launch all chosen files in AutoCAD.

Distinction Between Model and Layout in AutoCAD

The terms ‘model space’ and ‘paper space’ refer to different environments within AutoCAD. Model space is where you create your actual design, enabling intricate scaling and adjustments. In contrast, layout space allows for the placement of multiple viewports and is used to prepare your design for printing, incorporating elements like title blocks and notes.

Managing Viewports in AutoCAD

To create and manage viewports effectively, do the following:

1. Go to the View tab and find the Viewports panel, then select the New option.
2. In the Viewports dialog, under the Standard Viewports section, choose Single for a simple viewport setup.
3. Click on your layout to specify the location of the viewport by selecting one corner and then the opposite corner to establish the boundaries.
4. A new viewport should appear in your layout, displaying a default view of your drawing.

Explaining AutoCAD Layouts

AutoCAD layouts are designed for two-dimensional working environments where you can create sheets for your drawings. These layouts enable the inclusion of title blocks and dimensioning tools and support the display of scaled views from model space within your layout viewports. This feature is crucial for preparing your designs for presentation or printing.

Viewing DWG Files Online

For those who need to access DWG files without AutoCAD, there are several online options available:

1. Use the Autodesk online viewer to view various file formats, including DWG, directly in your web browser.
2. Download DWG TrueView, a free tool provided by Autodesk specifically for viewing DWG files.
3. Utilize Design Review to annotate and visualize your drawings.
4. Consider the AutoCAD mobile app for on-the-go access to your DWG files.

Identifying the Location of the AutoCAD DWG Launcher

The AutoCAD DWG Launcher is typically installed in the system’s Program Files directory. Specifically, you can locate it at C:\Program Files\Common. Ensure that you are checking the right path if you encounter issues launching DWG files.

Viewing All Drawings in AutoCAD

To see all drawings currently open in AutoCAD, type TASKBAR into the command line. Set the value to 1, and each drawing will appear as a separate item in the taskbar. Setting the value to 0 will display only the name of the active drawing.

Managing Open Files in AutoCAD

To cycle through open files, type FILETABCLOSE in the command line and press Enter. You can also use the CTRL+TAB shortcut to toggle between your open files seamlessly.

Splitting AutoCAD Files

To split a file or polygon in AutoCAD, perform the following steps:

1. Enter the command mpsplit on the command line and press Enter.
2. Select the polygon you wish to split.
3. Next, indicate the line where you want the split to occur. You can enter “d” if you want to draw the splitting line.
4. If you would like to retain attached data from the original polygon on the new portions, enter “y”; otherwise, the data will be removed.

Using the Mview Command

The Mview command is utilized to convert closed polylines, ellipses, splines, regions, or circles into layout viewports. To ensure compatibility, the selected polyline must be closed and consist of at least three vertices.

Converting Model to Layout in AutoCAD

To switch your focus from model space to layout space, simply click the “Layout 1” tab adjacent to the “Model” tag in your AutoCAD project. This action will transition you into the layout area, which may show a grid or aspects of your previous work.