How Do I Change the Scale of a Drawing in AutoCAD?

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Changing the scale of a drawing in AutoCAD is a fundamental skill that every designer or drafter needs to master. Whether you’re working on architectural plans, mechanical drawings, or any other type of technical drawing, being able to manipulate the scale of your drawing is essential. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods to change the scale of a drawing in AutoCAD.

Method 1: Using the SCALE command

One of the most straightforward ways to change the scale of a drawing in AutoCAD is by using the SCALE command. Follow these steps:

  1. Step 1: Open your drawing in AutoCAD.
  2. Step 2: Type “SCALE” into the command line and press Enter.
  3. Step 3: Select the objects you want to scale. You can use various selection methods such as clicking and dragging over the objects or using a selection window.
  4. Step 4: Specify a base point by clicking on an existing point or typing in coordinates.
  5. Step 5: Enter the scale factor you want to apply. For example, if you want to double the size of your drawing, enter “2”.
  6. Step 6: Press Enter to confirm and apply the scale changes.

The SCALE command allows you to resize objects uniformly. However, it’s important to note that this method does not alter dimensions or measurements associated with your objects.

Method 2: Using Annotation Scale

Another way to change the scale of your drawing is by utilizing annotation scaling. Annotation scaling allows you to control how text, dimensions, and other annotative objects appear at different scales. Here’s how you can use annotation scale:

  1. Step 1: Open your drawing in AutoCAD.
  2. Step 2: Type “ANNOALLVISIBLE” into the command line and press Enter. This command ensures that all annotative objects are visible.
  3. Step 3: Type “SCALELISTEDIT” into the command line and press Enter.
  4. Step 4: In the Scale List dialog box, click on “Add” to create a new scale.
  5. Step 5: Specify a name for your new scale and enter its value. For example, if you want to create a scale of 1:100, enter “1:100”.
  6. Step 6: Click on “OK” to save the new scale.

Once you have created the desired scales using annotation scaling, you can easily switch between them using the Scale List dialog box.

Method 3: Using Viewports

If you’re working on a layout in AutoCAD, you can change the scale of your drawing by adjusting the viewport. Viewports allow you to display different parts of your drawing at various scales within a single layout. Follow these steps to change the scale using viewports:

  1. Step 1: Open your drawing in AutoCAD.
  2. Step 2: Switch to the layout tab where you want to change the scale.
  3. Step 3: Type “MVIEW” into the command line and press Enter.
  4. Step 4: Specify the corner points of your viewport by clicking on two opposite corners.
  5. Step 5: In the properties palette, locate the “Standard Scale” option and enter the desired scale value. For example, if you want a scale of 1:50, enter “1:50”.
  6. Step 6: Press Enter to apply the scale changes to your viewport.

By using viewports, you can have multiple views of your drawing at different scales within a single layout.

Conclusion

Changing the scale of a drawing in AutoCAD is an essential skill that allows you to present your design accurately. Whether you use the SCALE command, annotation scaling, or viewports, understanding these methods will enhance your proficiency in AutoCAD.

Experiment with different scales to find what works best for your project and always remember to save your work regularly.

Now that you have learned how to change the scale of a drawing in AutoCAD using various methods, you can confidently tackle any project that requires resizing or adjusting scales.