custom viewports?

Hello we recently learned paper space at work
after having plotted from model for years.
However we are still having trouble with some
layouts that sprawl down at angles and then go
back up almost in stretched U shape.
Is there any way to have a viewport other then
4 straight sides. In other words can I make a
U shaped view port or a view port with a curved
top?

 

In newer versions, yes.

An old trick before this was possible was to copy a viewport in place, and
then stretch one of them so that the two make an "L", overlapping. 3 could
make a "U". They have to be on a layer that's off, or on DEFPOINTS to work,
but work it does. Just don't expect to pan in one of them...

 

Why, what did you gain by using layout?

We still use model only.

 

Drawings of different scales, on the same sheet, but all drawn at 1:1?

 

I have never seen that done in my profession (architecture), nor did i
do something like that, so i'm not really sure how much time that
would save.

Why would you want the same thing, on one sheet of paper, in different
scales? Where is that used?

Question comes to mind. What happens to dimensions in viewports with
different scales?

I draw in 1:1, use my standard dimension style which plots dimensions
2mm high. Plot from model in scale 1:10, which gives me drawing in
1:100 on paper.

Are all dimensions done in paper mode, when using layout?

 

What kind of work are you doing?

"the same thing" in plan, section and elevation. Done in architecture all
the time.

Sometimes. If done in modelspace, text and dimstyles are developed and used
for the scale that the view is plotted. I could send you a simple file that
would answer most questions you have. Go to my site and email me.

 

Mostly family houses. I am not an architect though, one step down (no
adequate translation for my profession).

Here in Europe that is done very rarely. I don't think i'v ever seen
plan, elevation and section on one sheet. I did, but only on old
projects (1980s and older). Now, every drawing goes on its own paper.
But even than, and now i'm really confused, you still have to actually
draw plan, and section, and elevation. And than just place it every in
its own viewport.

How is that different from simply drawing a paper boundaries in model,
place each drawing where you want it, and plot?
Just the same as if you'r using viewports.
And why would that be better?

 

Like I said: email me and I'll send you a file. There are many, many
benefits.

 

Hello we recently learned paper space at work

We used model only for years, but we had to break
our layouts out of the main layout and put sections
into sheets for the required plot scales. We do large
Civil Engineering project layouts that cover a mile or
more. With Paper Space we can keep the layout in
tack and still plot it in separate sheets. Or at least
if the layout lends itself to easy split up. I'm still having
issues with L shaped and U shaped layouts in R14 cad.