Locking view, but moving items

[This followup was posted to autodesk.autocad.print-plot and a copy was
sent to the cited author.]

Greetings,
I'm a stage designer and I need to move items often. Is there a way to
set up a layout, with it's view ports and such, and keep the contents as
is. Even while moving items around in model space.
Perhaps a way of locking the view port on an item instead of it's
position?
I could use some suggestions.
Thanks, Scott

acad~AT~hstech.org

 

Are you talking about "mview" locking the viewport? Try <mview><Lock>
then on or off. This will only lock to a model space area and not on an
item. A Lisp or VBA routine might work by resizing and or repositioning
a viewport by picking your item.

Ron Meicho

 

Thanks Ron. mview doesn't work for my need.
Let me expand:
When we're designing a set, we draw a scenic unit to be built. I create
a multi view port drawing for the carpenters in the scene shop.
Then, I move the scenic unit to one side of the stage or the other, or
rotate it, or re-position it as needed for the show.
Here's the problem: when I move the unit in model space, the unit
moves out of my view ports.

Thanks for your suggestion about a Lisp or VBA routine, but I have
little idea of where to start. I teach an intro to Acad class in high
school, but we don't get far enough for me to have the need to create
macros.

I may have to simply save several versions of the drawing as we add
items.

Thanks, Scott

 

Then of course, I could use XREF drawings and leave the originals in the
view ports as I need. I kicked myself.