Understanding Viewports in Draftsight
Draftsight, a powerful 2D CAD software, offers users the ability to create viewports—key components in layout management that allow for specific areas of their drawings to be displayed at defined scales. Creating a viewport allows you to focus on important sections of your model while ensuring clarity and precision in your layout.
Steps to Create a Viewport in Draftsight
Step 1: Initiate the Viewport Command
To begin the process of creating a viewport, navigate to the top menu and click on View. From the dropdown menu, select Viewports, followed by New Viewports. This action opens the Viewports dialog box where the setup will be configured.
Step 2: Naming Your Viewport
In the Viewports dialog box, you will be prompted to enter a name for your new viewport. Choosing a descriptive name can help keep your project organized, especially if multiple viewports are being utilized.
Step 3: Selecting Your Viewport Style
Within the same dialog box, you will find a list of Standard Viewports. To proceed, select the type of viewport you wish to create. Draftsight typically offers options such as single and multiple viewports depending on your project needs.
Step 4: Confirm and Create
Once you have selected the desired type and named your viewport, click OK. This action creates the viewport within your layout, enabling you to draw or reference details specific to that section.
Adjusting Viewport Properties
Once your viewport is created, you may want to fine-tune its settings for optimal viewing:
Step 1: Accessing Properties
Select the newly created viewport. Then, right-click on it and choose Properties from the context menu. This will bring up the Properties palette which contains various settings that can be adjusted.
Step 2: Locking the Display
To prevent accidental changes while working, consider locking the display of your viewport. Within the Properties palette, find the option for Display Locked and set it to Yes. This ensures that the viewport’s configuration remains intact during further edits.
Step 3: Setting the Viewport Scale
To set a specific scale for your viewport, navigate to the Standard Scale section within the Properties palette. Here, you can select from a predetermined list of scales suited to your project, allowing for precise control over what is displayed.
Managing Multiple Viewports
Draftsight allows for the creation of multiple viewports within a single layout, which can be advantageous for displaying various perspectives of your model.
Step 1: Creating Additional Viewports
Repeat the initial process of accessing the New Viewports command and follow the aforementioned steps to create additional viewports as necessary.
Step 2: Adjusting each Viewport Independently
After creating multiple viewports, you can individually adjust the properties and scales of each viewport by selecting them and using the Properties palette as previously outlined.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I delete a viewport in Draftsight?
Yes, you can delete a viewport by selecting it and pressing the Delete key. Alternatively, right-click on the viewport and select Delete from the context menu.
2. Is it possible to resize a viewport after creation?
Absolutely. You can resize a viewport by selecting it and dragging its corner handles. This is useful for adjusting the visible area of your model.
3. How can I unlock a viewport if I need to make adjustments?
To unlock a viewport, select it, right-click, and choose Properties. In the Properties palette, set Display Locked to No. This allows you to modify the viewport settings as needed.
