How To Do Wipeout In AutoCAD?

Understanding the Wipeout Command in AutoCAD

The Wipeout command in AutoCAD serves a crucial purpose for architects and designers—it allows users to create invisible areas in their drawings. Rather than deleting elements that may clutter the design, Wipeout obscures certain sections, while preserving the underlying content. Utilizing this command effectively can streamline your workflow and improve the clarity of your drawings.

Accessing the Wipeout Tool

To use the Wipeout command, there are various methods available:

1. Command Line Input: Type WI or WIPEOUT into the command line, then press Enter.
2. Draw Menu: Navigate to the Draw menu, select the Wipeout option, and begin outlining your area.

Creating a Wipeout Area

Creating an effective Wipeout area can be accomplished through the following steps:

1. Initiate the Command: Start by typing WI and hitting Enter.
2. Define the Boundary: Click on the drawing to specify the boundary of the area you want to hide. This can be done by tracing along the perimeter.
3. Finalizing the Wipeout: Once you have outlined the desired shape, press Enter to complete the command.

For those wanting a more precise shape, a polyline can be utilized:

• Draw a closed polyline that matches the shape you want to mask.
• When prompted for the boundary, select the polyline and complete the process as before.

Setting the Layer for Wipeouts

When creating Wipeout areas, it is important to place them on an appropriate layer. Normally, you should ensure that:

• The Wipeout is on a layer that is set to plot. This ensures that the Wipeout area behaves correctly during printing.
• If working within a block, you may choose to place Wipeouts on layer 0 to inherit the properties of the layer they are inserted into.

Controlling Wipeout Frames

Wipeout frames can be useful for visualizing the boundaries of Wipeout areas during editing. To adjust the visibility of these frames:

1. Toggle Frame Visibility: Type TFRAMES into the command line and hit Enter. This will toggle the Wipeout frames ON or OFF.
2. Annotation Tab: Go to the Annotate tab, locate the Markup panel, and click on Wipeout. Here, you can choose to display frames or hide them as necessary.

Special Cases for Wipeout

For specific shapes such as circles, you can use a polygon technique:

1. Use the Polygon Command: Type POLYGON into the command line and enter the number of sides (for a circle-like Wipeout, use 36).
2. Create the Polygon: Finish the operation to form a closed polyline that closely resembles a circle.
3. Apply the Wipeout Command: Use the Wipeout command on this polyline to create the desired masked area.

Hiding Wipeout

To hide or manage a Wipeout area:

1. Access Wipeout Settings: Open the Annotate tab and select Wipeout from the Markup panel.
2. Choose Frame Options: When prompted, enter F for Frames, and then decide among ‘On’, ‘Off’, or ‘Display but Not Plot’ as per your requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use a Wipeout inside a block?
Yes, you can embed a Wipeout within a block. It is generally recommended to place it on layer 0 to ensure it conforms to the layer properties of the block it is included in.

2. What happens if I erase the boundary of a Wipeout?
If the boundary used for the Wipeout is deleted, the Wipeout itself will remain, but its area may not behave as intended, potentially leading to unexpected results in your drawing.

3. How can I edit an existing Wipeout?
To edit a Wipeout, you must first select it and then either reshape it or change its properties according to your needs. Re-defining its boundary can typically be done by using the properties panel or re-executing the Wipeout command with a new boundary.