Wiping out in AutoCAD can be a frustrating experience, especially when you’re working on a complex design. However, learning how to effectively wipeout objects can help you maintain clarity and improve the overall look of your drawings.
What is a Wipeout?
In AutoCAD, a wipeout is an object that allows you to mask part of your drawing with a solid color or hatch pattern. It essentially acts as a background eraser, hiding any unnecessary details or overlapping lines that may clutter your design.
Creating a Wipeout
To create a wipeout in AutoCAD, follow these simple steps:
- Open the Wipeout command: Type “wipeout” in the command line or access it from the Modify menu.
- Select boundary points: Specify the boundary points of the area you want to wipe out. You can use any closed geometry like circles, rectangles, or polylines as your boundary.
- Specify options: After selecting the boundary points, AutoCAD will prompt you to choose from various options such as “Polygonal” or “Hatch“.
Select the option that best suits your needs.
- Select hatch settings (if applicable): If you chose the “Hatch” option in the previous step, AutoCAD will ask you to select a hatch pattern and specify its scale and angle. Choose these settings according to your preferences.
- Finish creating the wipeout: Once you’ve made all the necessary selections and adjustments, press Enter or right-click to complete the creation of the wipeout.
Now that you’ve successfully created a wipeout, you can use it to enhance your drawing by concealing unwanted details or overlapping lines.
Modifying a Wipeout
If you need to make changes to an existing wipeout, AutoCAD provides several options for modification:
- Resizing: To resize the wipeout, select it and use the Grips or the Stretch command. Adjust the boundary points accordingly.
- Moving: If you want to relocate the wipeout, select it and use the Grips, or simply drag and drop it to the desired position.
- Changing properties: You can modify various properties of a wipeout such as color, transparency, or hatch pattern.
Access these options from the Properties palette or by right-clicking on the wipeout and selecting “Properties“.
- Deleting: To remove a wipeout completely, select it and press the Delete key or use the Erase command. Make sure you don’t accidentally delete any other important objects in your drawing.
Troubleshooting Wipeouts in AutoCAD
If you’re experiencing any issues with wipeouts in AutoCAD, here are some common troubleshooting steps:
- No display: If your wipeouts are not displaying properly, check if their layer is turned off or frozen. Also, ensure that your viewport settings allow for their visibility.
- Printing issues: If wipeouts are not printing as expected, make sure their plot properties are set correctly.
Check the “Plot” tab in the Page Setup Manager and ensure that “Plot with transparency” is enabled.
- Performance concerns: Using too many wipeouts can sometimes impact the performance of your AutoCAD software. Consider using other methods like layering or clipping if you notice a significant decrease in performance.
In conclusion, wipeouts can be a valuable tool in AutoCAD for enhancing the visual clarity of your drawings. By mastering the creation and modification techniques, you’ll be able to effectively wipe out unnecessary details and improve the overall appearance of your designs.
Remember to experiment with different options and settings to achieve the desired results. Happy wiping out!