What Is Clipping Boundary in AutoCAD?

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AutoCAD is a powerful software used for drafting and designing in various industries such as architecture, engineering, and construction. One of the essential features of AutoCAD is the ability to create precise and accurate drawings. In order to achieve this, it is crucial to understand the concept of a clipping boundary.

What is a Clipping Boundary?

A clipping boundary in AutoCAD refers to a closed shape or polyline that is used to limit the display or printing of objects within its boundaries. It acts as a virtual window through which you can view or plot only the objects that are inside the boundary.

Clipping boundaries are particularly useful when working with complex drawings that contain numerous objects. By defining a clipping boundary, you can focus on specific areas of interest and eliminate unnecessary visual clutter.

It’s important to note that a clipping boundary does not affect the actual geometry or properties of objects; it only affects their visibility within the specified area.

Creating a Clipping Boundary

To create a clipping boundary in AutoCAD, follow these steps:

  1. Select the objects that you want to include within the clipping boundary.
  2. Type ‘CLIP’ in the command line or navigate to Modify > Clip > Create Boundary.
  3. Pick points to define the vertices of the boundary. You can specify any shape as long as it forms a closed loop.
  4. Press Enter or right-click to finalize the creation of the clipping boundary.

Modifying Clipping Boundaries

Once you have created a clipping boundary, you may need to modify it based on your requirements. AutoCAD provides several options to modify the clipping boundary:

  • Resize: You can resize the clipping boundary by selecting it and dragging its grips or using the ‘Resize’ option from the right-click menu.
  • Move: To reposition the clipping boundary, select it and move it to a new location using the ‘Move’ command or by dragging it with grips.
  • Delete: If you no longer need a clipping boundary, simply select it and press the ‘Delete’ key or use the ‘Erase’ command.

Applying Clipping Boundaries

After creating a clipping boundary, you can apply it to control the visibility of objects in your drawing. To apply a clipping boundary, follow these steps:

  1. Select both the objects that you want to clip and the clipping boundary itself.
  2. Type ‘XCLIP’ in the command line or navigate to Modify > Clip > XClip.
  3. Select either ‘Inside’ or ‘Outside’ depending on whether you want to display objects inside or outside of the clipping boundary.
  4. Press Enter or right-click to finalize the application of the clipping boundary.

In Conclusion

A clipping boundary is an essential tool in AutoCAD that allows you to control which objects are visible within a specified area. By using clipping boundaries effectively, you can improve your productivity, enhance drawing clarity, and focus on specific areas of interest within complex drawings. Remember to experiment with different shapes and positions for your clipping boundaries to achieve optimal results!