How to Hide Wipeout Line in AutoCAD?

Understanding Wipeouts in AutoCAD

Wipeouts in AutoCAD are used to obscure certain parts of a drawing by covering them with a filled area. However, there are times when you may want to hide the boundaries of these wipeout objects for a cleaner visual presentation. Here’s a detailed guide on how to accomplish that.

Steps to Hide Wipeout Lines in AutoCAD

1. Access the Wipeout Command:
   Begin by navigating to the "Annotate" tab in the tool palette. Locate the "Markup" panel and select the "Wipeout" tool. This is where you can manage wipeout settings.

2. Enter Frame Control:
   At this stage, you’ll want to control the visibility of the wipeout frames. Type F at the command prompt and hit Enter. This brings up the frame options:

   • On: Displays wipeout frames.
   • Off: Hides wipeout frames completely.
   • Display But Not Plot: Shows the frames in the drawing but excludes them from plotting.
3. Select Your Preference:
   Choose either "On," "Off," or "Display But Not Plot" based on your requirements. If you prefer a cleaner look during your presentations, opt for "Off."

Troubleshooting Wipeout Visibility

If your wipeout frames are still visible after adjusting the settings, ensure that you have not accidentally overridden your settings within the current drawing or view. You can use the TFRAMES command to quickly toggle the frame display on or off.

Advanced Wipeout Techniques

Converting a Polyline to a Wipeout

If you wish to create a wipeout from a specific area defined by a polyline, follow these steps:

1. Draw a Polyline:
   Create a polyline around the area you want to wipe out. Ensure that the shape accurately reflects the area you intend to cover.

2. Use the Wipeout Command:
   With the polyline selected, type the Wipeout command in the command prompt.

3. Confirm Deletion:
   When prompted to delete the polyline after creating the wipeout, choose "Yes" to enhance your drawing visuals.

Utilizing Images with Wipeouts

Hiding Image Boundaries

When working with images in AutoCAD, you may also want to hide boundaries. To do this:

1. Enter IMAGEFRAME:
   Type IMAGEFRAME at the command line to start managing image visibility.

2. Set Your Preference:
   • Enter 0 to hide image boundaries.
   • Enter 1 to display and plot image boundaries.
   • Enter 2 to show boundaries without plotting them.

FAQs

How can I adjust the background color in AutoCAD for better visibility?
To change the background color, access the "Drawing Window Colors" dialog under the "Options" menu. Set the "Uniform Background" to your desired color.

Can I crop images directly within AutoCAD?
Yes. Right-click on the drawing area and select the "Crop Tool" to adjust the boundaries of images or other objects as needed.

What is the purpose of the Visretain variable?
The Visretain variable controls the visibility settings for external references (XREFs) in your drawing. Setting it to “1” ensures that the layer settings from the referenced files are retained.