How to Resize Viewport in AutoCAD?

How to Resize a Viewport in AutoCAD

Understanding Viewports

Viewports in AutoCAD allow users to create multiple views of their design within a single layout. These views can be used to showcase different parts of your drawing or to display the same area at various scales. Resizing a viewport is often necessary when adjusting layout details for presentation or printing.

Step-by-Step Guide to Resize a Viewport

Step 1: Access the Layout Tab

Begin by navigating to the layout tab where your desired viewport is located. This tab holds the arrangement of your drawing for printing or presentation.

Step 2: Selecting the Viewport

Once you are in the correct layout, click once on the viewport that you wish to resize. This action will highlight the viewport and display its border and control handles, enabling further adjustments.

Step 3: Using Grips to Resize

Look for the rectangular grips located at the corners and midpoints of the viewport’s border. To resize:

• Move your cursor over one of these grips until it changes to a stretch icon (usually a double-headed arrow).
• Click and drag the grip inward or outward to reduce or increase the size of the viewport. Holding the “Shift” key while dragging will help maintain the original aspect ratio.

Step 4: Change the Scale (if necessary)

If resizing the viewport affects the scale of the drawing, you can adjust it accordingly:

1. Right-click on the viewport border and select “Properties.”
2. In the Properties palette, locate the “Standard Scale” option to select a new scale from the dropdown menu, ensuring your drawing fits well within the resized viewport.

Step 5: Final Adjustments and Locking

After resizing and scaling, ensure that all necessary adjustments are made before locking the viewport. Locking prevents accidental modifications:

1. Type MV in the command line.
2. Select “Lock” and then choose “ON” to secure the viewport in its new dimensions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using viewports in AutoCAD?

Viewports allow you to create multiple views of the same model space in different scales, making it easier to provide detailed layouts for printing or presentations.

Can I change the viewport size after plotting?

Once the viewport has been plotted and printed, changes cannot be made to its size. However, adjustments can be made in the AutoCAD layout prior to printing.

How can I unlock a viewport if I can’t select it?

To unlock a viewport that is difficult to select, try navigating to the layout tab, and use the “Quick Select” tool. Set the object type to “Viewport” and apply your changes from the Properties palette if needed.