Last reviewed 16 Sept 2026 · 7 min read
Model space and paper space
| Aspect | Model space | Paper space (layouts) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Create the design geometry at full size (1 : 1) | Arrange sheets for plotting — title blocks, viewports, notes |
| Scale | Real-world units (e.g. 1 unit = 1 mm) | Paper units (1 unit = 1 mm on paper) |
| Contents | Plans, sections, details — the model | Viewports showing the model at chosen scales; title block, sheet notes |
| Tabs | Model tab | Layout1, Layout2, … tabs |
Workflow: draw everything full size in model space → create layouts with the correct paper size and title block → create viewports and set each viewport's scale → add sheet annotations → plot.
Layouts
- Create via right-click on layout tab → New Layout or From Template; LAYOUT command options (New, Copy, Delete, Rename, Template, Save As).
- Each layout has its own page setup — plotter, paper size, plot style, orientation.
- Insert title block (as a block or xref) in paper space at 1 : 1.
- Multiple layouts in one drawing → different sheets (plans, elevations, sections, details).
Viewports
Layout viewports are windows in paper space through which model space is seen.
| Command / action | Function |
|---|---|
| MVIEW (MV) | Create viewports — single rectangular, 2/3/4 viewports, Polygonal, Object (convert a closed polyline/circle into a viewport), Fit, Lock |
| VPORTS | Viewport configurations (also used in model space to split the screen into tiled viewports) |
| Double-click inside viewport (or MSPACE/MS) | Activate the viewport — work in model space through it |
| Double-click outside (or PSPACE/PS) | Return to paper space |
| Viewport scale | Set from the status bar scale list or Properties → Standard scale (e.g. 1 : 100) |
| Lock viewport (Display Locked = Yes) | Prevents accidental zoom/pan changing the scale |
| VPMAX / VPMIN | Maximise a viewport temporarily for editing |
| VPCLIP | Clip viewport boundary to a new shape |
| Viewport layer overrides | VP Freeze layers in individual viewports; override colour/linetype/lineweight per viewport |
| Hide viewport border | Place viewports on a no-plot layer (e.g. VIEWPORTS or Defpoints) |
FormulaViewport scale
Viewport scale (standard scale) = paper units ÷ model units, e.g. 1 : 100 means 1 mm on paper = 100 mm in the model — equivalent to ZOOM 1/100XP in the viewport.
- PSLTSCALE = 1 makes linetypes appear consistent across viewports at different scales.
- Annotative objects display at the viewport's annotation scale.
Page setup
PAGESETUP (Page Setup Manager) saves named settings for plotting:
| Setting | Options / notes |
|---|---|
| Printer/plotter | Installed printers, large-format plotters, DWG To PDF.pc3, DWF6 ePlot.pc3, PNG/JPG output |
| Paper size | A4 … A0, ISO expand/full bleed sizes |
| Plot area | Layout (in paper space), Extents, Display, Limits (model), Window |
| Plot offset | Origin offset; Center the plot |
| Plot scale | Fit to paper or specific scale (e.g. 1 : 1 for layouts; 1 : 100 when plotting from model space); Scale lineweights option |
| Plot style table (pen assignments) | CTB (colour-dependent) or STB (named plot styles) — e.g. monochrome.ctb prints all colours black |
| Shaded viewport options | As displayed, wireframe, hidden, rendered; DPI quality |
| Plot options | Plot object lineweights, plot with plot styles, plot paperspace last, hide paperspace objects, plot transparency, plot stamp |
| Drawing orientation | Portrait/Landscape; plot upside-down |