Understanding Clipping Boundaries in AutoCAD
Clipping boundaries in AutoCAD can simplify your workspace, allowing you to focus on specific areas of your drawings. However, sometimes you may want to hide these boundaries for a cleaner presentation. This guide will detail how to render clipping boundaries invisible in AutoCAD, specifically focusing on Xrefs and images.
Hiding Clipping Boundaries for PDF Underlays
To make a PDF underlay’s clipping boundary invisible, follow these steps:
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Access the Drawing Area: Right-click anywhere in the drawing area where your PDF underlay is located.
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Open Clip Options: Select Clip PDF from the context menu that appears. This gives you options regarding the visibility of the clipping boundary.
- Toggle Clipping Status: You will be prompted with options. Choose On to enable the clipping, displaying the PDF trimmed to the defined boundary. Choose Off to display the entire PDF underlay along with its frame, effectively hiding the clipping boundary.
Temporarily Disabling Clipping Boundaries for Xrefs
If you need to hide the clipping boundary of an external reference (Xref), you can do so without deleting it:
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Select the Xref: Click on the Xref you’d like to modify within your drawing.
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Right-Click: Right-click to bring up options related to the Xref.
- Turn Off the Clipping: From the menu, locate the option to temporarily turn off the clipping boundary (typically labeled as Off). This will make the boundary invisible without removing it, allowing you to view the entire content of the Xref.
Creating and Editing Clipping Boundaries
Creating clipping boundaries in AutoCAD for Xrefs or images can be essential for maintaining clean drawings. Here’s how to establish one:
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Select the Object: Identify and select the Xref or image you wish to apply the clipping boundary to.
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Navigate to Clipping Options: On the External Reference tab, locate the Clipping panel. Here, you’ll find the options for making boundaries.
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Create New Boundary: Select Create Clipping Boundary. If prompted to delete an existing boundary, respond affirmatively if necessary.
- Choose Your Clipping Shape: You can define the boundary using a polyline, or by opting for rectangular or polygonal shapes based on your particular needs. Draw the desired shape around the area you wish to keep visible.
Deleting Clipping Boundaries
To remove a clipping boundary entirely instead of just hiding it, follow these steps:
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Access the Modification Menu: Click on the Modify menu and select Clip.
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Select the Clipping Object: Choose the image or Xref that has the clipping boundary you want to delete.
- Confirm Deletion: When prompted, enter “d” for Delete. This action eliminates the clipping boundary and restores the object to its original limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I hide the hatch border in AutoCAD along with the clipping boundary?
Yes, by clicking on the hatch and turning off the associative option, you can manage how the hatch interacts with the clipping boundaries, including removing unwanted borders.
2. Is there a way to invert the clip area when creating a clipping boundary?
Yes, while creating a clipping boundary, you can use the Invert Clip option. This allows you to designate which parts of the Xref or image are hidden versus displayed.
3. What steps do I take to edit an existing clipping boundary later on?
To modify a clipping boundary, select the Xref or image, then navigate to the Modify menu, choose Clip, and select your object. You can specify a new boundary as needed, adjusting its shape and area as necessary.
