However, even with its popularity, many teams tap into only a fraction of what Bluebeam offers. I have been using Bluebeam for the past four years, but I haven’t fully explored its capabilities. Out of curiosity, I began learning more about Bluebeam and have created these blog posts to share my findings with you.

Whether you’re just starting with Bluebeam or aiming to maximize the benefits of your current setup, this comprehensive post will show you how to make the most of Bluebeam on every project.

What is Bluebeam Revu?

Bluebeam Revu is a professional-grade platform for creating, marking up, and collaborating on PDFs, specifically designed for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sectors. It empowers teams to review drawings, add precise markups, take measurements, and collaborate on project documents all within a single, centralized environment. 

Established in 2002 in Pasadena, California, Bluebeam was founded with a clear goal: to enhance the way AEC professionals interact with PDFs throughout the project lifecycle. In 2014, the company became part of the Nemetschek SE Group, which further bolstered its presence in the global ecosystem of leading AEC technology solutions. 

Today, Bluebeam is fully committed to construction software and digital collaboration, serving over three million professionals worldwide, who depend on its tools to work more efficiently, accurately, and confidently.

Who is Bluebeam built for?

• Architects reviewing design intent and drawing sets
• Engineers coordinating technical changes across disciplines
• Contractors managing construction documents and markups
• Estimators performing accurate quantity takeoffs
• Project managers tracking reviews, comments, and approvals

Why is Bluebeam considered the industry standard?

Bluebeam Revu has earned its reputation as the go-to choice in the industry because it was specifically designed for AEC workflows long before most generic PDF tools hit the market. Its precise measurement tools, customizable markups, and real-time collaboration features through Bluebeam Studio really set it apart from standard PDF editors.

Over the years, Bluebeam has become a staple in construction workflows, training initiatives, and company standards, creating a shared language among project teams. When multiple stakeholders are already on the same platform, working together becomes faster, easier, and significantly less error-prone.

Problems Bluebeam solves:

• Inconsistent markups across teams
• Difficulty tracking comments and revisions
• Manual takeoffs and measurement errors
• Slow RFI and review workflows

Understanding the User Interface of Bluebeam Revu

Bluebeam Revu features a purpose-built user interface designed for working with large drawing sets and technical PDFs. 

The Bluebeam interface is organized around toolbars at the top, panels on the sides, and the document workspace at the center. 

Key panels, such as the Tool Chest, Properties, and Markups List, are docked for quick access. This layout allows users to customize their workspace based on role and task. 

For a detailed walkthrough of each panel and control, explore this dedicated UI guide on our blog.

Core Features of Bluebeam Revu

Bluebeam Revu includes a wide range of tools and features that cover the full lifecycle of PDF documents in AEC projects.

How Bluebeam Revu benefits Different Roles?

From design reviews to construction coordination, Bluebeam Revu is a versatile tool that supports a variety of roles across the AEC industry. The table below showcases how different professionals leverage Bluebeam to enhance their daily workflows.

Bluebeam Revu Pricing

Bluebeam Revu uses a subscription-based pricing model with three tiers designed to fit different workflows and team needs. The three tiers are Basics, Core, and Complete. A detailed breakdown of features available in each tier is available on the official Bluebeam pricing page.

Bluebeam Revu has established itself as a key player for AEC professionals, offering a blend of powerful PDF markup, precise measurements, and real-time collaboration all in one place. When configured and utilized correctly, it helps teams minimize errors, enhance coordination, and drive projects forward more efficiently. Whether you’re just starting out, or perfecting your advanced workflows, Bluebeam is a solid foundation for modern construction documentation.

How To Open AutoCAD Properties Panel?

There are three major ways you can open the Properties Panel in AutoCAD:

1. Command Line: PROP or PROPERTIES
2. Ribbon Area: View > Properties Panel > Properties
3. Keyboard Shortcut: CTRL + 1

Properties Palette – General and Geometry

When you have the Properties Palette open and you select an object, you will see and have the opportunity to edit various properties of an object. Most of the Properties Palette will have a General and Geometry section.

The General section includes layer-related properties for an object, such as Color, Layer, Linetype, Linetype Scale, Lineweight, Transparency, and Thickness. Typically, you would update the properties of a layer using the Layer Properties Manager. However, if you want some properties of an object to differ from its layer, you can adjust them in this section.

For example, if all your water lines are on the WATR-LINE layer with the layer’s linetype set to –W–, but you need one segment of the water line to have the –HW– linetype, you don’t necessarily have to create a new layer. Instead, you can override the layer’s linetype for that specific segment in the Properties Palette, allowing it to use the –HW– linetype instead.

The Geometry Section can be found in the Properties Palette of various objects, though the available options may vary depending on the specific object. Generally, you will find the option to modify the coordinates of vertices or the object’s position for most AutoCAD objects.

Properties Palette for Dimension

The Properties Palette is very handy when updating the properties of dimensions in AutoCAD. The Lines & Arrows section allows you to edit how the arrows and extension (ext.) lines and dim lines look. The Text section will enable you to edit various properties of the dimension text, such as text height, fill color, text rotation, and text view direction. The Primary Units section has options for dim roundoff, dim scale linear, dim units, and precision. There are also options for Alternate Units and Tolerances.

Properties Palette for Text and MText

For Text, you can quickly change the Style, Annotation Setting, Justification, Height, Rotation, Width Factor, and Obliquing using the Properties Palette. MText comes with additional properties that can be easily changed using the Properties Palette, such as Line Space Factor, Line Space Distance, Line Space Style, Background Mask, Columns, and Text Frame.

Properties Palette for Line & Polyline

Below, you can notice that Polyline has many more properties than Line. Some of the properties of Polyline include Current Vertex, Global Width, Elevation, and Closed (Y/N).

Properties Palette for Arc & Spline

For an Arc, you can use the Properties Palette to quickly change the Radius, Start Angle, and End Angle. For a Spline, you can use the Properties Palette to change the Method (Control Vertices or Fit) and many other associated properties as shown in the picture below.

Properties Palette for Ellipse & Revision Cloud

For an Ellipse, you can use the Properties Palette to quickly change Major Radius, Minor Radius, Radius Ratio, Start Angle, and End Angle. For a Rev Cloud, you can use the Properties Palette to quickly change start segment width, end segment width, global width, and elevation.

Properties Palette for Array & Block

For an Array, the Properties Palette is helpful in updating array-related settings for each array type. For a rectangular array, you can update columns, column spacing, rows, row spacing, row elevation increment, levels, level spacing, and included axis angle. For a polar array, you can update the direction, items, angle between items, fill angle, rows, row spacing, row elevation increment, levels, level spacing, and rotate items. For the path array, you can update the method, fill entire path setting, items, item spacing, start offset, rows, row spacing, row elevation increment, levels, level spacing, and align items. For Blocks, the Properties Palette is handy for updating the rotation.

Properties Palette for Hatch & Gradient

For Hatch and Gradient, the Properties Palette is handy to update the Pattern settings. For Hatches, you can use the Properties Panel to update the pattern name, type, annotative setting, angle, scale, island detection style, and background color. For Gradient, you can use the Properties Panel to update the gradient name, the annotative setting, the Island detection style, color 1, color 2, and gradient angle.

Properties Palette for Tables and XREFs

For Tables, the Properties Palette is useful for updating Table Style, Direction, Table Width, Table Height, and Table Breaks. For XREFs, the Properties Palette is handy to update the rotation.

Undo the Changes Made in the Properties Palette

If you make a lot of edits with the properties palette and then go back into AutoCAD and run the ‘undo’ command, all of your edits may undo at once. To undo one change at a time, remain with the properties palette open, right-click anywhere over the properties palette, and choose ‘Undo’.

Quick Properties Palette

The Quick Properties Palette is a miniature version of the Properties Palette. It shows only a selected object’s essential properties and takes up much less screen space than the Properties Palette. When the Quick Properties Palette mode is turned on, it will pop up right next to the selected objects.

How to open Quick Properties Palette in AutoCAD?

There are two major ways to open the Quick Properties Palette in AutoCAD:
1. Keyboard Shortcut: CTRL+SHIFT+P
2. Command Line/System Variable: Type QPMODE in the command line and set the system variable to “1”.

Quick Properties Palette for Different Objects

Dimension – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Aligned Dimensions in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Associative
– Dim Style
– Annotative
– Measurement
– Text Override

Text – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Text in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Layer
– Contents
– Style
– Annotative
– Justify
– Height
– Rotation

MText – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for MText in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Layer
– Contents
– Style
– Annotative
– Justify
– Text Height
– Rotation

Line – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Line in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Color
– Layer
– Linetype
– Length

Polyline – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Polyline in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Color
– Layer
– Linetype
– Global Width
– Closed

Arc – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Arc in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Color
– Layer
– Linetype
– Center X
– Center Y
– Radius

Spline (Control Vertices) – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Spline (Control Vertices) in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Color
– Layer
– Linetype
– CV Frame
– Method
– Closed

Spline (Fit) – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Spline (Fit) in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Color
– Layer
– Linetype
– Knot Parameterization
– CV Frame
– Method
– Closed

Ellipse – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Ellipse in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Color
– Layer
– Linetype
– Major Radius
– Minor Radius

Revcloud – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Revcloud in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Color
– Layer
– Linetype
– Global Width
– Closed

Block Reference – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Block Reference in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Layer
– Name
– Rotation

Array (Rectangular) – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Array (Rectangular) in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Layer
– Columns
– Column Spacing
– Rows
– Row Spacing
– Row Elevation

Array (Path) – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Array (Path) in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Layer
– Method
– Items
– Items Spacing
– Start Offset
– Align Items

Array (Polar) – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Array (Polar) in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Layer
– Direction
– Items
– Angle Between Items
– Fill Angle
– Rotate Items

Hatch – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Hatch in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Color
– Layer
– Type
– Pattern name
– Annotative
– Angle
– Scale
– Associative
– Background Color

Gradient – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Gradient in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Color
– Layer
– Gradient Name
– Annotative
– Associative
– Color 1
– Color 2
– Gradient Angle

Table – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for Table in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Layer
– Table Style
– Direction
– Table Width
– Table Height

External Reference – Quick Properties Palette

Below are the properties for External References in the Quick Properties Palette:
– Color
– Layer
– Name
– Rotation

Hope you enjoyed learning about AutoCAD Properties Palette. To learn more about other aspects of AutoCAD, feel free to check out 25 Foundational Concepts of AutoCAD.

Now the question arises, with 1000s of features, how do you start learning AutoCAD? After years of experience, beginning to use AutoCAD in High School, I have developed 25 essential concepts of AutoCAD to master the top-notch design software. Once you master these concepts, you will have a solid foundational understanding of AutoCAD, which will help you succeed in your class and career.

AutoCAD User Interface

AutoCAD has a comprehensive user interface, and it’s essential to know each part of it; here’s why – Let’s say you want to fly a helicopter. Unless you know what and where the navigational tools or buttons are, you will not be able to understand how to fly it. The same goes with AutoCAD. Unless you know what each set of tools/buttons represents in AutoCAD, using AutoCAD will take a very long time. You don’t need to know where every single button is, but you need to know what and where the following sets of tools are located in the user interface:

• Application Menu
• File Tabs
• Quick Access Toolbar
• Ribbon Area
• Info Bar
• Command Window
• View Cube
• Selection Cursor
• Navigation Bar
• UCS
• Layout Tabs
• Command Line Palette
• Graphics Screen
• Workspace Switching Button
• Status Bar

Do check out my blog A Comprehensive Guide to Mastering the AutoCAD User Interface to learn more about the AutoCAD user interface.

Navigational Tools in AutoCAD

To successfully navigate AutoCAD, you must know how to select, pan, and zoom using your mouse. Panning and zooming are straightforward. You can pan by holding the left side of your mouse and dragging different parts of the model space. You can zoom in and out by scrolling the mouse wheel up & down. However, there are multiple facets and nuances when it comes to selecting. You can select objects by clicking on them, you can do a selection window, you can make a lasso selection, you can choose similar objects, and a lot more. Check out my blog Effortlessly Learn AutoCAD Navigational Tools: Tips for Zoom, Pan, and Selection to learn more about the various AutoCAD navigational tools in depth.

AutoCAD Units and Limits

AutoCAD allows us to draw things to scale, and we need to make sure we are drawing using the correct units. In AutoCAD, you can use various units such as feet, meters, inches, centimeters, and millimeters. There are different options for displaying dimensions, such as architectural, engineering, decimal, fractional, and scientific formats. While an architect would choose to have the dimensions in architectural type, a civil engineer would generally prefer decimal type. There are also different ways to display angles, such as decimal degrees, degree/minute/second, grads, radians, and surveyor’s units.

You can set limits on the drawing area, which is helpful if you are drawing something on a 1:1 scale and want to seek the exact size of the end product. Setting a template with those configurations is not a bad idea if you use the same unit types and limits regularly. With templates, you can set not only units and limits but also various styles and configurations. Check out my blog 5 Essential Concepts to Master Units and Limits in AutoCAD to learn more about units and limits in AutoCAD.

AutoCAD Model Space and Coordinate System

The model space is a limitless 3D drawing area where you can create drawing elements with appropriate units of your choice. AutoCAD has two essential coordinate systems: the World Coordinate System and the User Coordinate System. The WCS is a global reference and cannot be rotated, moved, or scaled. On the other hand, the UCS is movable and customizable based on the user. UCS offers a cartesian and polar coordinate system. Cartesian coordinates help work with linear elements, and polar coordinates help work with circular features. To learn more, checkout my blog on AutoCAD Coordinate System.

AutoCAD Drawing Tools – One Dimensional

There are a wide range of one-dimensional drawing tools available for drafting including line, polyline, arc, elliptical arc, spline, point, construction line, and ray. Each of these tools has its own specific function in AutoCAD which you can learn more in my blog post 8 Essential One-Dimensional Drawing Tools in AutoCAD.

AutoCAD Drawing Tools – Two Dimensional

You can draw multiple two-dimensional elements using AutoCAD such as Circle, Rectangle, Polygon, Ellipse, Revision Cloud, Region and Donut. To learn more about these two-dimensional elements, do check out my blog AutoCAD Drawing Tools – 6 Two Dimensional Drawing Tools to Master.

AutoCAD Object Snap, Ortho Mode and Polar Tracking

Object Snap, Ortho Mode, and Polar Tracking are essential skills for AutoCAD users seeking to produce accurate and precise drawings. The Snap Mode in AutoCAD allows you to specify exact points on lines or 2D objects by snapping the cursor to predefined points. Some of the commonly used snaps include endpoints, midpoints, and intersections. With Ortho mode, you can create straight lines by restricting cursor movement in horizontal and vertical directions. Polar tracking helps create lines at specific angles relative to a reference point or line. Check out my blog Mastering AutoCAD Object Snaps, Ortho Mode and Polar Tracking: 3 Key Tools for Precision.

Intuitive AutoCAD Tools and Commands

Below are a list of intuitive AutoCAD Tools and Commands. You can learn about them in more detail in my blog 11 Essential AutoCAD Intuitive Commands.

• New: Initiate the creation of a new drawing file.
• Template: A pre-designed file that contains specific settings and styles configuration.
• Open: Access an existing file to edit or in read-only mode.
• Save: Save changes made to the current drawing file
• Save As: Save the current drawing file under a new name or format.
• Cut: Remove selected objects from a drawing and place them on the clipboard, allowing you to paste them into an existing file or another file
• Copy: Duplicate an object to be placed in the current or another file.
• Paste: Insert objects from the clipboard.
• Undo: Reverse any edits made in the drawing.
• Redo: Reverse the effect of last undo while still in the undo command.
• Regen: Regenerates CAD interface

Basic AutoCAD Modify Tools

Below is a list of Basic Modify Tools in AutoCAD. Learn these tools in more detail in my blog 13 Basic Modify Commands in AutoCAD 2025.

• Move: Relocate object(s) from one location to another
• Rotate: Modifies the orientation of the object(s)
• Trim: Removes portions of objects that extend beyond the boundaries of other objects within the drawing
• Extend: Extends lines or objects to meet other objects.
• Mirror: Creates a mirrored copy of selected object(s) based on a specified line or axis
• Offset: Creates parallel copies of selected lines, polylines, or curves at a specified distance
• Scale: Resizes selected objects based on specified scale factor
• Fillet: Create a curved transition between two lines
• Chamfer: Bevels the corners of objects by removing a portion of the corner
• Join: Connects multiple lines, arcs, or polylines to form a single continuous object
• Explode: Breaks complex objects in individual components
• Stretch: Stretches objects between two specified points.
• Lengthen: Lengths selected object such as line, polyline, and arc.

Advanced AutoCAD Modify Tools

Below are a list of Advanced Modify Tools in AutoCAD. Learn these tools in more detail in my blog 11 Advanced AutoCAD Modify Tools.

• Change Space: Move objects from paper space to model space and vice-versa
• NCopy: Copies selected items from an XREF. Also known as Nested Copy.
• Match Properties: Matches the properties of one object to another.
• Display Order: Determines the order in which objects and XREF are placed.
• Bpoly: Create a shrink-wrap around an existing boundary.
• Align: Move, rotate and scale (optional) objects in AutoCAD.
• Burst: Explode an object in AutoCAD by keeping text attributes.
• Pedit: Edit polylines in AutoCAD.
• Reverse: Switch the direction of a polyline.
• Blend: Connect two lines or curves using a spline.
• Mspace/Pspace: Change between model space and paper space.

AutoCAD Blocks, Dynamic Blocks and Count

AutoCAD has a feature called Blocks that eliminates the need to recreate commonly used objects. With this feature, you can reuse commonly used elements. Blocks are reusable objects in AutoCAD that can easily be inserted into your drawing to prevent you from repeatedly creating the same thing from scratch. For example, if you made a sofa in AutoCAD, you could easily reuse it by creating a block and inserting it in the drawing when needed.

The dynamic blocks take this feature to the next level, allowing users to manipulate a block with parameters. To keep an inventory or quantity take-off of these blocks and even other drawing elements, a feature called count tallies the occurrence of specific objects within a drawing. Learn more in my blog  AutoCAD Block, Dynamic Block and Count for Efficient Design Creation.

AutoCAD Array and Group

While arrays and groups are unrelated tools, they are great time-savers. Arrays help replicate objects in a controlled linear, rectangular, polar, and path-based pattern. This helps reduce your effort to put an object in a particular pattern manually. Groups provide a way to organize related objects into a single entity. Once you create a group, you can modify it in multiple ways, such as move, copy, rotate, and scale. Once you make your modifications, you can ungroup them, and the objects will return to their normal function. Check out my blog Effortlessly Learn AutoCAD Array and Group to learn more.

AutoCAD Layer

Learning the layer functionality is at the heart of AutoCAD. It enables users to control and organize AutoCAD’s visibility, properties, and object groupings. One can know what the object or linework represents based on the layer’s name. You can have the objects on the same layer be of the same color, same line type, same plot style, and much more. Layers can also be turned off and on, making it easy to display certain objects selectively. There are many nuances and tools related to layers in AutoCAD. I recommend checking out my blog post 38 Superb AutoCAD Layer Tools to learn more.

AutoCAD Properties Palette

Properties Panel is one of the fundamental features of AutoCAD that gives you quick access to the properties of selected objects within a drawing. Since the property panel centralizes modifying object properties, it eliminates the need to navigate multiple menus. Some editable parameters of a chosen object include layer, color, line type, dimension, and precision. Properties Panel is very user-friendly and helps enhance productivity.

AutoCAD Hatch and Gradient Fill

Hatches and gradients add visual and texture to AutoCAD drawings. Hatches represent a variety of materials, such as concrete and brick, in a closed area composed of patterns of lines, dots, or symbols. You can control a hatch’s scale, angle, color, and transparency. On the other hand, gradients are smooth transitions of colors or shading applied to an object. Checkout my blog Mastering 13 AutoCAD Hatch and Gradient Features: A Step-by-Step Guide for more information. 

AutoCAD Text

AutoCAD has many text features similar to those in Microsoft Word or Google Doc, such as size, font, indent, bold, italicize, underline, etc. These features are intuitive and straightforward. There are three core AutoCAD-specific text features which are worth mastering – MText, MLeader and annotative scale. MText stands for multi-line text, facilitating easy editing and efficient formatting. MLeader allows you to add leader lines with text to drawings, enhancing the design’s clarity. Lastly, the annotation scale automatically enables text and dimension to adjust the size based on the viewport scale. Checkout my blog 9 AutoCAD Text and Annotation Pro Tips to learn more.

AutoCAD Dimension

Dimensions serve as critical elements in AutoCAD in accurately depicting the size and scale of objects in a given drawing. Linear dimensions, radial dimensions, angular dimensions, ordinate dimensions, and arc length dimensions are some of the commonly used dimensions in AutoCAD. You can also set up dimension styles to ensure dimensioning and drafting standards consistency. I explore these features in detail in my blog The Ultimate Guide to AutoCAD Dimensions.

AutoCAD Table

Tables are helpful to organize and present tabular data within a drawing. You can create a table within AutoCAD, import a table from Excel, export a table to Excel, link a table to an Excel sheet, and much more. Checkout my blog AutoCAD Table Fundamentals: 5 Concepts to Boost Your Productivity to learn more.

AutoCAD External Reference

External Reference or XREF is a powerful tool in AutoCAD that helps users incorporate external drawings into current drawings, ensuring consistency, collaboration, and efficiency. XREF ensures consistency in that changes made to an XREF file will be reflected in all the drawings where it is referenced. XREF enables collaboration by dividing projects into multiple files and linking them together so that various users can work on different parts of the project simultaneously. XREF enhances efficiency by reducing file size since it references an external file rather than embedding it in the drawing. Apart from referencing XREFs, you can reference images, PDFs, and much more! Learn more about XREF in my blog AutoCAD XREF: The Secret Weapon of Efficient Design.

AutoCAD Paper Space or Layout

Layout space is a canvas for CAD designers to present their drawings at a specific scale on a standard-sized sheet. In the layout space, you can add title blocks, arrange multiple viewports, add scale, add notes, add north arrow, and other essential components to make your drawings professional. While model space helps design your project, paper space is beneficial in presenting your project efficiently. Checkout my blog 9 Key Things about AutoCAD Layout or Paper Space to learn more. 

AutoCAD Print and Plot

Plotting in AutoCAD is the final step to bringing your digital design into physical plans. Various options for plot settings and customization are available, such as paper size, scale, orientation, plotting style, etc. Plot style is crucial to plotting since it controls the appearance of plotted objects, ensuring consistency in the final output. Another helpful aspect is the print preview, which can give you a quick preview of how your sheet will plot. Remember, all your efforts to build your AutoCAD project will be worthless unless you plot it. Learn more about AutoCAD Plot in my blog, Mastering AutoCAD Print: An Essential Guide to Professional Plotting.

AutoCAD File Maintenance – Purge, Audit, Overkill, Recover

Maintaining drawing efficiency and integrity is critical, and there are four significant tools to aid in this endeavor: Purge, Audit, Overkill, and Recovery. The Purge command allows you to remove unused objects in a CAD file, such as layers and line types, helping reduce file size. The Audit command fixes errors and corruption by detecting and repairing issues. The overkill command identifies and removes overlapping or duplicate objects. It sounds cool, but if you lose linework you were not anticipating, you can always undo it. Lastly, the recover command helps repair and recover corrupted files. These tools are helpful to safeguard your AutoCAD files against potential data loss and help enhance drawing quality. Learn more about these File Maintenance tools in my blog, Ultimate CAD File Maintenance using AutoCAD Purge, Audit, Overkill, and Recover Commands.

AutoCAD Sheet Set Manager

Sheet Set Manager in AutoCAD is all you need to organize your sheets, assign properties for each sheet, and plot them feasibly. In the sheet set manager, you can organize sheets chronologically and even add subsets to them. This optimizes collaboration as multiple team members can work on the same project individually by tackling different sheets. The best part about Sheet Set Manager is that you can assign sheet names, numbers, and other custom fields. You can add fields on each sheet and assign them to the sheet set manager. Hence, any time you change or rearrange sheet names or sheet numbers in the sheet set manager, it automatically updates on each sheet. You do not need to open and update each sheet. Lastly, the sheet set manager is a great tool for plotting or printing the whole set simultaneously, saving time and increasing efficiency. Learn more about Sheet Sets in my blog 13 FAQs on AutoCAD Sheet Set Manager.

AutoCAD Customization and Autolisp

Once you have a good grasp of AutoCAD, it will be a natural tendency to start customizing AutoCAD. You can customize the user interface, create custom line types, create custom hatches, create alias edits, create macros, and create custom commands using AutoLISP. Customization aims to streamline frequently used tools or processes and make AutoCAD more suited for your purpose.

AutoCAD System Variable

AutoCAD system variable lets you fine-tune how the software functions without having to manually adjust settings every time you work on a drawing.

My goal with this blog post is to give you a solid foundational understanding of AutoCAD. Mastering AutoCAD software will require more experience, working on projects, and time. Even AutoCAD experts who have used this software for years do not know every single feature or command. The goal here is not to learn everything but just enough to be comfortable with accomplishing tasks in CAD and continuously looking for ways to achieve the same tasks with fewer commands. I hope that once you go through these pillars of AutoCAD, you will be confident enough to navigate through AutoCAD, from starting a new drawing using a template to plotting the drawing to PDF.

I highly recommend using Autodesk documentation for AutoCAD, which gives detailed information on each command. I recommend nurturing your CAD skills by going through in-depth courses provided by Autodesk and watching videos on AutoCAD on Autodesk’s official website. Working in AutoCAD is a journey; there is much to learn, and Autodesk periodically adds new and valuable features. Good luck and best wishes as you venture on your AutoCAD journey! 

I regularly maintain AutoCAD drawing files through systematic purging and auditing—both for files received from subconsultants and my own working files. A daily maintenance routine has proven invaluable for preserving file integrity and preventing corruption.

To protect my files from the risk of corruption, I enable AutoSave for automatic backups every 10 minutes. I have a strong understanding of AutoCAD’s recovery system, including how to effectively use the RECOVER command, .BAK backup files, and .SV temporary save files to recover AutoCAD Files.

Lastly, the Overkill command is useful to remove duplicate items but should be used with caution. Personally, I have never used it in my professional career in order to prevent accidental data loss. It is good to know, but it should only be used in specific scenarios.

AutoCAD Purge

The Purpose and Function of AutoCAD Purge Command – Remove Unused Items

The Purge command is used in AutoCAD to remove unused items, such as layers, blocks, and linetypes, and also unnamed objects, such as zero-length geometry, empty text objects, and orphaned data. (Please don’t worry about the technical Jargon. If your file has these unnecessary elements, you will have the option to click on its checkboxes).

How to use the AutoCAD Purge Command?

To use the AutoCAD Purge Command, follow the steps below:

1. Type PURGE in the command line. The Purge Dialog Box will open up.
2. On the top row of the Purge Dialog Box, there are two options: Purgeable Items and Non-Purgeable Items.
3. The Purgeable Items option is selected by default. Under the Named Items Not Used panel, you will notice a plus sign next to all purgeable items. You can click on the plus sign to see all purgeable items.
4. Under the Options panel, you choose additional Purge Settings:
   1. Confirm each item to be purged
   2. Purge nested items
   3. Purge Unnamed Objects: Zero-length geometry, Empty text objects, Orphaned data.
5. You can purge one item, multiple items or all items. To purge one or multiple items, click on the boxes next to the purgeable item in the Named Items Not Used panel, and hit Purge Checked Items. To purge all items, click on the Purge All button in the bottom of the Purge Dialog box.
6. To see a list of non-purgeable items, click on the Find Non-Purgeable Items button. Here you will see not only the list of items that you cannot purge, but also possible reasons.

Checkout the GIF below to see the PURGE command in action.

AutoCAD Audit

The Purpose and Function of AutoCAD Audit Command – Fix Errors

The Audit Command is used to check and fix errors in the AutoCAD File. It’s a good practice to audit and purge your drawings daily.

How to use the AutoCAD Audit Command?

To use the AutoCAD Audit Command, follow the steps below:

1. Type AUDIT in the command line.
2. The command line will prompt you with a question: FIX ANY ERRORS DETECTED. Type Y if you wish to fix errors and N if you wish to not fix errors.
3. The file will get audited, and after the audit is complete, it will list the Total Errors Found, Total Errors Fixed, and Erased Objects.

Checkout the GIF below to see the AUDIT Command in action.

AutoCAD Overkill

The Purpose and Function of AutoCAD Overkill Command – Delete Duplicate Objects

The Overkill command removes overlapping objects and merges partially overlapping or aligned end-to-end objects.

How to use the AutoCAD Overkill Command?

To use the AutoCAD Overkill Command, follow the steps below:

1. Type OVERKILL in the command line.
2. Select the objects on which you want to perform overkill. To perform overkill on all objects in AutoCAD, select all items in the AutoCAD File.
3. The Delete Duplicate Objects Dialog Box will open up. Here you can choose the following options (checkout AutoCAD Documentation to Learn how each item functions):
   • Tolerances
   • Ignore Object Property (Color/Layer/ Linetype/ Linetype Scale/ Lineweight/ Thickness/ Transparency/ Plot Style/Material)
   • Options
     • Optimize Segments within Polylines (Ignore Polyline Segment Widths/ Do not Break Polylines)
     • Combine co-linear objects that partially overlap
     • Combine co-linear objects when aligned end to end
     • Maintain associative objects
4. Choose the options that you desire and hit OK.

In the GIF below, I show you how there are two overlapping lines. The Selection Cycle is on so you can see that these are two overlapping polylines. After I run the Overkill command, we are just left with one polyline.

AutoCAD Recover

The Purpose and Function of AutoCAD Recover Command

There are instances when the AutoCAD File is corrupt, and you cannot even open it. In that instance, you will need to use the RECOVER command. You can also recover an AutoCAD File using the backup file and temporary AutoSave Files.

How to Use AutoCAD Recover Command to recover AutoCAD Drawing File?

There are two ways you can use the RECOVER command in your drawing.

First, open the corrupted drawing. It will prompt you to RECOVER. Hit recover, and then your file will automatically AUDIT.

Alternatively, you can just open a new AutoCAD Drawing and type RECOVER in the command line. You will be prompted to choose the file you wish to recover. Choose the file, and AutoCAD will automatically AUDIT to fix errors and recover the file.

How to Recover AutoCAD File using .bak file?

The .bak files in AutoCAD are backup files that are the previous version of your AutoCAD files (just before the last save). In order to recover a .bak file, follow the steps below:

1. Right-click on the .bak file that you wish to recover and change the extension to .dwg.
2. Open the .dwg file and determine which elements were recovered and not recovered.

If you wish, make a copy of the .bak file before changing its extension. Recovering a backup from a .bak file may seem complicated, but it is very simple. Check out the GIF below to learn how to do it.

How to AutoSave AutoCAD Drawings?

By default, AutoCAD automatically Auto Saves your drawing at 10-minute intervals. You can update the frequency of AutoSave of your AutoCAD file in the Options Dialog Box. Follow the steps below to do so:

1. Type OP in the command line to open the Options Dialog Box.
2. Click on Open and Save Tab.
3. In the File Safety Precautions section, the Automatic Save (.sv) and Create Backup Copy with Each Save (.bak) options are checked by default. The file will automatically save every 10 minutes by default.
4. You can update the AutoSave Time and hit OK.

How to Recover AutoCAD File using .sv file?

The AutoCAD Temporary Files are saved as .sv files in your %temp% folder. To recover your AutoCAD File using the AutoCAD Temporary File (.sv) file, follow the steps below:

1. Type %temp% in your Windows File Path Bar (I’m not sure if that’s what it’s called, but the picture below illustrates what I mean).
2. You will see a list of all temporary files. I like to sort it by date modified.
3. Copy the .sv or AutoCAD Temporary File that you need, and save it in your project folder.
4. Change the extension to .dwg and it will be ready for your use.

To keep your drawing file clean, your first line of action should be purging and auditing your AutoCAD files daily. If you start seeing unexpected AutoCAD behavior, that’s a red flag, and you should immediately purge and audit your drawing. Ensure that you Auto-Save your drawing at frequent intervals and save it often. If your file ever gets corrupt, you now have multiple ways to recover it.

I hope you enjoyed learning about File Maintenance in AutoCAD. To learn more about other aspects of AutoCAD, feel free to checkout 25 Foundational Concepts of AutoCAD.

How to Create a Sheet Set using an Example Sheet Set?

Below are steps to create an Example Sheet Set:

1. Type in SSM or SHEETSET in the command line. The Sheet Set Manager will open up.
2. Click on the down arrow next to the Open option, and select New Sheet Set option. The Create Sheet Set – Begin Dialog Box will open up.
3. Select the An example sheet set option and hit next.
4. By default you will have seven different example sheet sets to choose from. In this example, we will choose the Civil Imperial Sheet Set and hit Next. (Note: You can also Browse an Example Sheet Set from your local drive.)
5. Now you will need to enter or choose Sheet Set Details. Give a name to your Sheet Set, provide a description (optional), and file path to store your sheet. Here you can can also check the Create a folder hierarchy based on subsets, and provide Sheet Set Properties. Once you have everything in, hit next.
6. You can preview the Sheet Set details here, and hit finish to confirm. Sheet Set Manager is now created!

How to Create a Sheet Set using Existing Drawings?

Below are steps to create a Sheet Set using Existing Drawings:

1. Type in SSM or SHEETSET in the command line. The Sheet Set Manager will open up.
2. Click on the down arrow next to the Open option, and select New Sheet Set option. The Create Sheet Set – Begin Dialog Box will open up.
3. Select the Existing Drawings option and hit Next.
4. Now you will need to enter or choose Sheet Set Details. Give a name to your Sheet Set, provide a description (optional), and file path to store your sheet. Here you can also provide Sheet Set Properties. Once you have everything in, hit next.
5. Now you will browse the folder where all the drawings are saved. Hit Browse, and choose the folder. (Note: You also have the Import Options such as Prefix Sheet Titles with File Name and Create Subsets Based on Folder Structure).
6. You can preview the Sheet Set details here, and hit finish to confirm. Sheet Set Manager is now created!

Managing and Editing an AutoCAD Sheet Set

Managing and Editing a Sheet is the core to handling Sheet Sets in AutoCAD. Below, we will look into 9 Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to managing and editing AutoCAD Sheet Set.

How to Open an Existing Sheet Set in AutoCAD Drawing File?

You can Open an Existing Sheet Set in AutoCAD by following the steps below:

1. Type in SSM or SHEETSET in the command line. The AutoCAD Sheet Set Manager will open up.
2. Click on the down arrow next to the Open option, and select Open option.
3. Choose the Sheet Set (.dst file) from your computer and click open.
4. If you had recently opened the Sheet Set, you can access it from the Recent option too.

How to Add New Sheet to AutoCAD Sheet Set?

You can add a New Sheet to the Sheet Set Manager by following the steps below:

1. Right-click on the Sheet Set to which you want to add a sheet and then click on New Sheet.
2. New Sheet Dialog Box will open up. Add Number and Sheet Title, and Hit Ok.
3. New Sheet will be added to the Sheet Set. In case the .dwt Template is not specified, you will need to choose the .dwt file before the New Sheet Dialog Box appears.

How to Add New Sheet Subset to AutoCAD Sheet Set?

You can Add New Subset to Sheet Set by following the steps below:

1. Right-click on the Sheet Set to which you want to Add New Subset and then click on New Subset.
2. The Subset Properties Dialog Box will open up. Add the Subset Name as you wish.
3. There are few more options for customization:
   1. Create Folder Hierarchy (Yes/No)
   2. Publish Sheets in Subset (Yes/No)
   3. New Sheet Location – Choose Location for the File
   4. Sheet Creation Template – Choose Location for Sheet Template
   5. Prompt for Template (Yes/No)

How to Import Layout as Sheet in AutoCAD?

You can Import the Layout as a Sheet to the Sheet Set by following the steps below:

1. Right-click on the Sheet Set to which you want to import the layout as a sheet and then click on Import Layout as Sheet.
2. Click on Browse for Drawings and select the Drawing File containing the layout you want on the sheet set.
3. You will notice all the layouts for that sheet are loaded. Check on the Layouts you wish to import and then click on Import Checked. The sheet will be added to the Sheet Set.
4. You can add multiple drawing files using this method.

How to Insert Sheet List Table in AutoCAD?

To Insert a Sheet List Table, you must be in the Paper Space, and the Layout where you are putting the Sheet List should be part of the Sheet Set.

You can Insert Sheet List Table to desired Layout Tab by following the steps below:

1. Right-click on the Sheet Set whose Sheet List you want to create.
2. Choose the Insert Sheet List Table option.
3. Sheet List Table Dialog Box will open up. You can choose Table Styles, Show Subheader, Table Title, Column Setting, and Sheet Selection.

How to Rename and Renumber Sheets in AutoCAD?

It is possible to Rename and Renumber sheets in a Sheet Set. Simply follow the steps below:

1. Right-click on the Sheet whose name you wish to change and then select Rename and Renumber.
2. The Rename and Renumber Sheet Dialog Box will open up. You can change the following things in this Dialog Box:
   1. Number
   2. Sheet Title
   3. Layout Name
   4. File Name
   5. Rename Layout to Match Sheet Title (or Prefix with Sheet Number)
   6. Rename Drawing File to Match Sheet Title (or Prefix with Sheet Number)
3. If you want to rename and renumber more sheets, click on Next and Previous. Once done, hit OK.

How to add Properties to AutoCAD Sheet Set?

Follow the steps below to add Properties to AutoCAD Sheet Set:

1. Right-click on the Sheet Set whose properties you wish to edit, then choose Properties option.
2. The Sheet Set Properties Dialog Box will open. Here, you can add properties for Sheet Set, Project Control, and Sheet Creation.
3. You can also add more properties by clicking on Edit Custom Properties and following the prompts.

How to Close Sheet Set in AutoCAD?

You can Close a Sheet Set by following the steps below:

1. Right-click on the Sheet Set that you wish to close.
2. Click on the Close Sheet Set option.

What are other commonly used features of AutoCAD Sheet Sets?

Some of the other features of AutoCAD Sheet Sets are as follows:

1. Resave All Sheets
2. Archive
3. Publish
4. eTransmit
5. Transmittal Setup

All About AutoCAD Fields

AutoCAD Fields are dynamic text elements that update based on drawing properties or object data. Unlike static text, Fields maintain a live link to their source data so the information is always current and can easily be updated. As an Engineer, I use fields to display critical information such as file paths, drawing names, sheet numbers, dates, area calculations, and object properties that would otherwise have to be updated manually. You can even integrate fields in AutoCAD Tables.

When you use Fields with Sheet Set Manager, your project information can automatically appear on all your drawings at once. This smart text means you don’t have to type the same information over and over on each drawing. It helps prevent mistakes and keeps all your drawings looking the same.

How to Add Custom Properties to Sheet Set and Insert Field for it?

We looked into earlier how to update the Properties of a sheet set and briefly looked into how to create Custom Properties. So first lets look into how to add Custom Properties and then how to add a field connected to that Custom Property.

1. Right-click on the Sheet Set whose properties you wish to edit, then choose the Properties option.
2. The Sheet Set Properties Dialog Box will open. Click on the Edit Custom Properties.
3. The Custom Properties Dialog Box will open up. Click on the Add button.
4. Add Custom Property Dialog Box will open up.
5. Type in the name of the Property and the default value of the Property.

Once you do that you will have the property in the Sheet Set Custom Properties. Next, you would want to bring the property as a Field on the Sheet Set. You can do that by following the steps below:

1. Type in the FIELD in the command line and the Field Dialog Box will open up.
2. Choose Sheet Set in the Field Category and Current Sheet Set Custom in the Field Names.
3. The Custom Property will show up under the Custom Property Name. Choose the custom property you wish to add, and then click ok.
4. Now place the field where you want.

Note: If you update the Custom Field Content in the Sheet Set Manager, you can update the Field by UPDATEFIELD or REGEN command.

Why should you Add Fields to the Title block?

If you have a Civil Site Plan that consists of 21 sheets and you need to add one more sheet in the middle of the set, you’ll have to update both the sheet numbers and the total number of sheets. If this information is included as TEXT or MTEXT in the title blocks, you will need to update multiple sheets.

Thanks to Sheet Set Manager and Fields, you can update the information in the Sheet Set, and the Fields will automatically update the information.

Hope you were able to get a good grasp on AutoCAD Sheet Set and AutoCAD Fields. Checkout my blog 25 Foundational Concepts of AutoCAD to learn other features of AutoCAD.

As a civil engineer, I can attest that plots are extremely important. Ultimately, clients and review agencies will evaluate the PDF or printed plans, not the designs within AutoCAD. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that the designs are both engineered accurately and visually appealing. In this blog, I will guide you through the essentials of the AutoCAD print function.

How to start the AutoCAD Print or Plot command in AutoCAD?

In AutoCAD you can print using the Plot Dialog Box. You can open the Plot Dialog Box in AutoCAD in four major ways:

1. CTRL+P (Keyboard Shortcut)
2. Print Option from Ribbon Area
3. Print Option from Application Button (Print Option will open multiple options)
4. Type PLOT in Command Line

You can also Batch Plot and Plot using Sheet Set Manager, which I will cover later in the blog.

Dissecting Plot Dialog Box

There are various features associated with the Plot Dialog Box which we will explore below:

Page Setup

As you can see, there are various customization options for AutoCAD Plot. If you are gonna use the same options all the time, it is ideal to add that customization as Page Setup.

How to Add a new Page Setup?

1. Choose the Print/Plot options in the Plot Dialog Box
2. Click on ADD button in the Page Setup section
3. Provide a New Page Setup Name and then hit ok

You also have the option to choose Previous Plot or import a Page Setup settings.

Printer/plotter

There are various printer/plotter settings provided by AutoCAD.

My go to printer/plotter option is DWG to PDF.pc3.

If you have tried other options and feel there is a better one, feel free to leave it in comments.

Paper Size

Choose from various industry-standard paper sizes such as Letter, Legal, ANSI, Arch, ISO and more. The page sizes available to plot are based on the Printer/Plotter selected.

Plot Area

There are four options for plot area in AutoCAD which are explained below:

1. Display: Plots everything in the current display of the paper space. If you are using this option make sure to choose the plot scale to Fit to Paper.
2. Extents: Plots everything in the extents of the paper space, even outside the layout. If you are using this option make sure to choose the plot scale to Fit to Paper.
3. Layout: Plots everything in the printable limits of the paper space layout.
4. Window: Plots the window or portion of the drawing selected.

My go-to option is the Layout Option. To learn more about these options in detail or how these options act differently in the model space, checkout the Plot Dialog Box Autodesk 2025 documentation.

Plot Offset

The Plot Offset refers to offsetting the printable area from the origin (lower-left corner). Once you offset it, you will have the option to Center the Plot as well.

Plot Scale

Keep the Plot Scale in the Dialog box 1:1 and adjust the scale in the viewport. Adjusting the Plot Scale in the Print Dialog Box will be tricky.

Plot Style Table (Pen Assignments)

There are two types of plot styles in AutoCAD: Color-Based Plot (ctb) and Style-Based Plot (stb). By default you will have color based Plot Styles.

Shaded Viewport Options

The Shaded Viewport Options are ideal for 3D models. If you choose any customization options in the Shaded Viewport Option, it will supersede the Plot Table Style settings.

Plot Options

There are various plot options. If you want to use any of the settings below, you will need to check the box for that setting:

1. Plot in background: Allows you to plot sheet(s) in the background so that you can continue working in AutoCAD.
2. Plot object lineweights: Ensures the lineweights attributed to each object is plotted accordingly.
3. Plot transparency: Ensures the applied transparency to objects/hatches is plotted accordingly.
4. Plot with plot styles: Ensures the drawing plots based on the selected .ctb or .stb.
5. Plot paperspace last: Plots Objects in Model Space first and then Objects in Layout or Paper Space
6. Hide paperspace objects: Hides Layout Objects in Final Plot
7. Plot stamp on: Adds the plot stamp to sheets
8. Save changes to layout: Any changes to plot settings will apply to the layout.

Drawing Orientation

There are three Drawing Orientation options:
1. Portrait or Landscape: Choose whether you want a portrait or landscape setting
2. Plot upside-down: If you wish to plot the layout upside-down, you can check the Plot upside-down button.

Preview

After selecting all your settings, you can preview your PDF or plot. Use this feature to ensure everything is displayed as you want. Below is the preview of the Utility Plan. Note that both existing and proposed conditions are plotted in black; it would be ideal to change the existing elements to grey.

Batch Plot

Batch Plot is used in AutoCAD when you want to plot multiple Layouts from the same sheet at once. Follow the steps below to Batch Plot:

1. First select all the Layout Tabs that you wish to plot. You can select multiple Layouts by holding down on Ctrl button and clicking on the tabs.
2. Once all the layouts are selected, right-click on one of the Layouts and hit Batch Plot.
3. The Publish Dialog Box will open up. Click on Publish and all the selected sheets will start plotting.

Plot Using Sheet Set Manager

If you have a Sheet Set setup for multiple sheets, you can plot all at once. Follow the steps below to Plot a Sheet Set:

1. Open the Sheet Set Manager Dialog Box by typing SSM in the command line.
2. Open the Sheet Set that you wish to plot.
3. Right-click on the Sheet Set. Choose the Publish option and then the Publish to PDF option.

One or multiple sheets can be published instead of the whole sheet set. Select the sheet(s) and then right-click. To select multiple sheets, hold CTRL and then click on the sheets you wish to plot. Then, follow the same steps as mentioned above.

View Plot and Publish Details

Once you plot a sheet or multiple sheets, a View Plot and Publish Details notification will pop up in bottom right corner. If you click on it, the Plot and Publish Details Dialog Box will open up. This Dialog Box shows various details such as where the sheet is plotted, what is the sheet size, the time the plot was completed, and other print-related configurations. You can see an example of the View Plot and Publish Details Dialog Box below.

Plot in the Background

Plotting can be a time-consuming process when you are plotting multiple sheets at once. To continue working while the sheets plot in AutoCAD, you can plot in the background. Earlier, we saw how to enable plot in the background with the Plot Dialog Box. There is another way to go about it as well. With this approach, you can plot and publish both in the background:

1. Open the Options Dialog box by typing OP in the command line or through Application Button.
2. Click on Plot and Publish tab.
3. In the Background Processing Options, choose Plotting or Publishing options. Plotting refers to printing just one sheet and Publishing refers to printing multiple sheets (Batch Plot).

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Print to Scale in AutoCAD?

To ensure your model is plotted to the ideal scale, double-click inside the Viewport and set the desired scale from the Status Bar.

How to not print Viewport Border in AutoCAD?

Put the Viewport on a NO PLOT Layer and your Viewport Boundary will not plot.

How to Print Multiple Pages in AutoCAD at once?

You can print Multiple pages at once in AutoCAD by using Batch Plot or by plotting through Sheet Set Manager.

How to Print AutoCAD Drawing in Black and White?

To ensure your AutoCAD Drawing Plots in Black and White, make sure to choose Monochrome.ctb. If you are using .stb Plot Styles, make sure the Plot Style is selected to Black & White.

How to Print a PDF in Model Space in AutoCAD?

You can print a PDF in Model Space the same way you print the paper space. Use the keyboard shortcut CTRL+P to open the Print Dialog Box and plot PDF accordingly.

Hope you enjoyed learning about how to plot in AutoCAD. Checkout my blog 25 Foundational Concepts of AutoCAD to learn other features of AutoCAD.

As a Civil Design Engineer, I spend a lot of time designing plans in the Model Space but I take great care to set up my Layout Tab or Paper Space correctly. These finishing touches turn your technical work into professional deliverables that meet industry standards and client expectations.

Key Differences Between AutoCAD Model Space and Paper Space

You might have already learned about Model Space in my 13 Essential AutoCAD User Interface Guide. Understanding both Model Space and Paper Space (Layout Tab) is vital, as they serve different purposes. Below, I have outlined the key differences between the two in the table.

	Model Space	Layout Tab
Image
Purpose	All the Design of a plan/model happens in the Model Space.	You prepare how the plan/model will be setup for printing in the paper space.
Scale	You can change the scale of the drawing based on the need.	Each Viewport can only have one scale.
Content	Contains AutoCAD Objects, Dimensions, Annotations and other elements.	Contains Title Block, Viewport, General Notes and Legends.
Units	Uses real-world units such as feet, meters, inches etc.	Uses paper units such as inches and millimeters.
Viewports	No Viewports	Viewports are used to show plans or models.
Layers	Create and organize layers for objects, annotations, dimensions and other drawing elements	Create and organize layers for layout specific items such as title block, scale, legend, etc. [Putting the Viewport on No Plot layer will ensure the Viewport does not plot]
Plotting	Rarely used for plotting.	Ideal for plotting
Quantity	There is only one Model Space in a AutoCAD drawing	You can have multiple layout tabs in AutoCAD

User Interface of Layout Tab (aka Paper Space)

When you open a Layout Tab in AutoCAD, by default you will have a white sheet with a rectangular viewport. Lets look at each element in detail:

• Paper Area: The boundary of the Paper Area is a preview of how your printed product will look like.
• Viewport Boundary: The boundary of the Viewport. You’ll be able to learn more about viewports later in the blog.
• Plot Area Margin: The boundary of the drawing that will be printed.
• Model and Layout Tabs: The tabs are used to switch between model space and paper space.
• Paper Mode and Model Mode: Located in the Status Bar, this button allows you to enter and exit your viewport. It’s useful when you get lost in it and want to come out.

Basic Modify Options in Paper Space

There are six basic modify options with paper space that every AutoCAD user must know – Add a New Layout Tab, Rename Layout Tab, Copy Layout Tab, Move Layout Tab, Change Layout Tab Background Color and Delete the Layout Tab.

Let’s start with the easy ones – adding, renaming, moving and deleting Layout Tabs. To add a new layout tab, click the plus sign next to the Layout Tab. To rename a Layout Tab, right-click on the Layout Tab that you wish to rename, click Rename, and provide a new name. To move a Layout Tab, left-click on the Layout once, and drag it left or right. To delete a Layout Tab, right-click on the Layout Tab that you wish to delete and click on Delete.

To copy a Layout Tab, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Right-Click on the tab that you wish to Copy and choose the Move or Copy option.
Step 2: Choose before which existing Layout the copied Layout should be placed. I generally choose (move to end) option for the copied Layout.
Step 3: Check the Create a Copy option and hit ok.

The Paper Area is white by default but it can be changed to other colors. To change the background color of your Paper Area, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Open the Options Dialog Box by typing OP in the Command Line. Alternatively, you can right-click in the paper area and click on the Options button.
Step 2: Open the Drawing Window Colors Tab by choosing these steps: Display Tab > Window Elements > Colors.
Step 3: Ensure Sheet/Layout is selected in Context options and Uniform Background is selected under the Interface Element option. Then, choose the desired color under the option.

Page Setup Manager in Paper Space

You can open the Page Setup Manager by right-clicking on the Layout tab and then choosing the Page Setup Manager. You will see the following page setup details: – Device Name
– Plotter
– Plot Size
– Where
– Description

To ensure that the Page Setup Dialog Box opens up each time you create a new Layout Tab, make sure to check the Display When Creating a New Layout button in the lower-left corner of the dialog box.

You can hit modify to edit page setup settings. While most of the options are about plotting the sheet, one option is essential as the first set of Page Setup – Paper Size. Unless you have the paper size correct, you will not be able to proceed with other aspects of setting up the layout tab. To change the paper size, follow the steps below:

1. Open the Page Setup Manager (Right-click on the Layout Tab and choose the Page Setup option)
2. Click on the Modify Button to open the Page Setup Dialog Box
3. Change the Paper Size

You can also open the Page Setup Manager dialog box by typing PAGESETUP in the command line or from Ribbon Area (Layout > Layout > Page Setup).

All About AutoCAD Layout Viewports

Viewports are a major feature of AutoCAD Layout, helping translate your model into a printed plan. Understanding how to create, modify, and deal with viewports is essential for streamlining the process of setting up paper space and eventually plotting it.

Create a Viewport in AutoCAD

Two major commands are used for creating viewports in AutoCAD: MVIEW and VPORTs. The MVIEW option is ideal if you want to create a custom viewport and VPORTs option is ideal if you want to create preconfigured viewports.

You can activate the MVIEW command by typing MVIEW in the command line or from the Ribbon Area (Layout > Layout Viewports > MVIEW). Now, choose a corner point in the Paper Area to start the viewport and also choose a corner point diagonal to the first point. You will notice that once you activate the MVIEW command, there are many options in the command line which helps with further customization.

You can activate the VPORTS command by typing VPORTS in the command line or from the Ribbon Area (Layout > Layout Viewports > VPORTS). Once you activate it, the Viewports Dialog Box will open up. Below is a list of standard viewports and other settings:

Standard Viewports:

• Single
• Two: Vertical
• Three: Right
• Three: Left
• Three: Above
• Three: Below
• Three: Vertical
• Three: Horizontal
• Four: Equal

Settings:

• Viewport Spacing
• Setup (2D/3D)
• Change View To
• Visual Style

Locking Viewport Scale

Once you set the limits and scale of a viewport, it is ideal to lock the viewport. You can do so by clicking inside the viewport and then selecting the lock button in the Status Bar.

One mistake I used to make as a novice Civil Design Engineer was keeping the Viewport unlocked while editing my plans. At times, I would accidentally zoom into the Viewport, which would change the scale of the drawing. One quick fix is to undo it simply.

Edit the Viewport Boundary and Viewport Scale in AutoCAD

You can edit the Viewport Boundary by dragging the grips at the end of the viewport. If you wish you can also clip the boundary of the viewport. You can change the scale of the viewport in three ways:

1. Status Bar: Double click inside a viewport and change the drawing scale from the options in Status Bar.
2. Down Triangle Arrow: Click on the Down Triangle Arrow next to the Viewport Base Point and choose a scale.
3. Properties Panel: Select the Viewport and change the scale of the viewport from options in Properties Panel.

Copy and Move Viewport in AutoCAD

You might want to copy a viewport to have it on the same layout sheet, have it on different layout sheet or to a different AutoCAD file. You can copy viewport the same way you can copy AutoCAD objects. While I did cover how to copy objects in my blog AutoCAD Intuitive Commands, let’s do a quick refresher.

Copy Viewports for the same Layout in AutoCAD:

Type CO in the command line, select the viewport you desire to copy, and then place it where it is needed.

Copy Viewports between Layouts in AutoCAD:

Type COPYCLIP in the command line (or use CTRL+C), select the viewport to be copied, go to the desired Layout Tab, and type PASTECLIP in command line (or use keyboard shortcut CTRL+V).

Copy Viewports between two AutoCAD Files in AutoCAD:

Type COPYBASE in the command line, specify base point, select the Viewport, and then type PASTECLIP in command line (or use keyboard shortcut CTRL+V). You can use this method for copying viewports between layouts too.

Moving a Viewport in AutoCAD

You can move a viewport in AutoCAD by clicking and dragging the base point. You can also activate the Move command, select the viewport, and move the Viewport.

Delete a Viewport in AutoCAD

To Delete a Viewport in AutoCAD, simply click on the Viewport in the Layout Tab and hit delete.

Layer Management for Viewport Plot/Preview

In most cases I will take care of Layer Management of my drawing or model in the Model Space unless they are Paper Space Elements. It is essential to set the layers to right plot style to ensure that when you preview the viewport, you mirror how the plot file will look like.

When you open the Layer Properties Manager in the viewport, you will see additional options – VP Color, VP Linetype, VP Lineweight, VP Transparency, and New VP Freeze. If you want a layer to look different or have different properties in the Model Space and Paper Space, then AutoCAD does give you this opportunity.

In my career so far, I have never kept my Model Space and VP Space layer settings different. The only use case I can think of is if you are placing some Layout Elements on the same layer as the Model Space Elements, then you would want different settings for each. But in that case, I would simply put them on different layers and keep things clean.

Title Block and Fields (aka Smart Text)

Title Blocks in Layout Plans provide essential identification, project details, and professional credentials to establish document standardization and legal accountability. Generally Fields or Smart Texts are used to control Sheet Names Sheet Numbers.

North Arrow & Scale

Generally you will also have a north arrow and scale bar in the Paper Space. You can create a symbol and save them as blocks. Autodesk recognizes the need for a dynamic North Arrow and Scale Bar. In many AutoDesk products, you can create North Scale and Scale Arrow by simply selecting the viewport and choosing either North Arrow or Scale Bar from the Layout Option in Ribbon Area.

Hope you enjoyed learning about AutoCAD Layout. To learn more about other aspects of AutoCAD, feel free to checkout 25 Foundational Concepts of AutoCAD.

As a Site-Civil Design Engineer working on complex projects, I can’t imagine navigating through intricate designs without XREFs. Take a utility sheet, for instance. Instead of having all the existing and proposed linework in one AutoCAD file, I simply XREF the base site plan, survey, and proposed utilities. While all my proposed annotations live in the main utility sheet, the underlying linework exists in separate, manageable XREFs.

What is AutoCAD XREF or External Reference in AutoCAD and its benefits?

XREF or External Reference is a way to bring AutoCAD files as background in current drawing file. There are three key benefits of using XREF.

1. Any changes made to the XREF file will automatically update and be reflected in the the current drawing file.
2. XREF fosters team collaboration as multiple team members can work different parts of the project at same time.
3. Using XREF instead of including all linework and annotations in one CAD file will reduce the file size.

Different Types of XREFs

In AutoCAD, you can attach DWG, Image, DWF, DGN, PDF, Point Cloud (.rcp), and Coordination Model (.nxd). In this blog, we will dive in-depth into attaching DWG, Image, and PDF. To attach any XREF, you must first open the XREF palette, which can be done by typing XREF in the command line.

Using External References Palette to Attach DWG File

Once the XREF Palette is opened, choose the DWG option. Navigate through File Explorer to find your AutoCAD file. The Attach External Reference dialog box will open up. You will get the following options:

Option	Explanation	Image
Reference Type	XREFs can be inserted as either an Overlay or an Attachment. An Overlay XREF displays referenced geometry in the background but won’t be included when the current drawing is referenced in other files, preventing circular references. An Attachment XREF becomes part of the current drawing and will be carried along when the drawing is referenced in other files.
Scale	You can either specify the scale on the screen or enter the scale factor in the Attach External Reference dialog box.
Insertion Point	You can either specify the insertion point on the screen or provide the X,Y,Z coordinates in the Attach External Reference dialog box.
Path Type	A path type can be No Path, Relative or Full. A No Path references the XREF without and path, and will only work if the referenced file is in the same folder as the current drawing file. A Relative path specifies the location of referenced files in relation to the current drawing’s location, making it ideal for portable project folders where files maintain their relationships. A Full path specifies the complete file location from the root directory.
Rotation	You can either specify the rotation on the screen or provide the angle in the Attach External Reference dialog box.
Block Unit	The block unit refers to the units of the drawing.
Preview	You can see how your XREF looks like.

It is a best practice to put the inserted DWG XREF on a separate layer and ideally lock that XREF. You can lock the XREF by locking the layer on which you put the XREF.

Using External References Palette to Attach Image File

After opening the XREF Palette, select the Image option. Use File Explorer to locate your image file. You will encounter five options similar to those in the Attach DWG option: Path Type, Insertion Point, Scale, Rotation, and Preview.

An image XREF will include an Image Frame. You have three options for editing the Image Border using the IMAGEFRAME variable (0-2).

1. Show and Plot No Image Border (IMAGEFRAME = 0)
2. Show and Plot Image Border (IMAGEFRAME = 1)
3. Show the Image Border but not Plot it (IMAGEFRAME = 2)

In the Image below we are attaching GIFluent Logo in our AutoCAD File. You will generally see Engineering and Architecture Firms attach the image of their company logo on Title block.

Using External References Palette to Attach PDF File

After opening the XREF Palette, select the PDF option. Use File Explorer to locate your PDF file. You will encounter five options similar to those in the Attach DWG and Attach Image option: Path Type, Insertion Point, Scale, Rotation, and Preview.

A PDF XREF will include a PDF Frame. You have three options for editing the PDF Border using the PDFFRAME variable (0-2).

1. Show and Plot No Image Border (PDFFRAME = 0)
2. Show and Plot Image Border (PDFFRAME = 1)
3. Show the Image Border but not Plot it (PDFFRAME = 2)

If the PDF contains multiple pages, you can choose which pages to attach to your sheet. I often use PDF and IMAGE XREFs to add construction details to my construction planset. In the example below we are attaching details of Stormtech Inspection Port Detail into our AutoCAD File.

Working with XREFs

Unloading

If you would like to temporarily turn off an XREF, you can unload it. Simply right-click on the XREF, and choose the Unload option.

Reloading

To turn the XREF back on after unloading it, you can reload it. Additionally, if you made a change in the XREF file and you don’t see the changes in your current drawing, you can reload the XREF to have it updated. Generally when you update an XREF, there will be a pop-up on bottom right of your screen to reload that XREF. Simply right-click on the XREF, and choose the Reload option.

Detaching

If you would like to remove an XREF, you can simply detach it. Only detach an XREF when you know you will not need it. If you want to temporarily remove the XREF from the background, simply unload the XREF. Simply right-click on the XREF, and choose the Detach option.

Clipping

If you want to show only a portion of an XREF, you can clip it. You can activate this option by typing XCLIP in the command line or choosing the Clipping Boundary option in the Ribbon (Select XREF > External Reference > Clipping Boundary). When you XCLIP, you have four primary options:

1. Select Polyline: Choose a polyline in the drawing as a clipping boundary
2. Polygonal: Draw a polygonal clipping boundary
3. Rectangular: Draw a rectangular clipping boundary
4. Invert Clip: Hide everything inside the clipped boundary

If you wish to delete the Clipping Boundary, click on the XREF and then on delete Remove Clipping from the Ribbon.

Layer Control

After loading the XREF in your current file, the Layer Properties Palette will display all the layers from your XREF file. This feature is useful for managing your XREF layers effectively.

Changing Path Type

Earlier, we discussed the three types of XREF paths: No Path, Relative Path, and Full Path. If you need to change the path type after attaching an XREF, you can easily do so by following these steps: Right-click on the XREF, select “Change Path Type,” and then choose the new path option you prefer.

Select New Path

If you move your XREF file after referencing it in current drawing, it will no longer be available. In that case you will need to select new path and your XREF will again be available in your current drawing.

XREF Compare

Every time your XREF gets updated and you load it in your current drawing, you can compare the changes. Hit on the next and previous buttons to compare the changes. Checkout the GIF below to see the changes in the XREF.

XREF Fading

You can fade your XREF, up to 90%, so that the linework in the current drawing stands out. To fade your XREF (0-90), select your XREF, and follow the following path Insert > Reference > XREF Fading. You can also fade your XREF in the command line by typing XDWGFADECTL and entering the fade percent.

Modifying XREFs

You can modify an XREF without opening the source of the reference file. Simply click on the XREF, choose Edit Reference In-Place option, make changes and hit Save Changes. While its an AutoCAD feature, I do not modify XREF In-Place. I prefer to simply open the XREF file and edit it there.

XREFs help makes your drawing system efficient and ensures multiple people can work on the same project at once. Apart from XREF, there are various other essential AutoCAD features which you can learn from my blog – 25 Foundational Concepts of AutoCAD.

The simplest method to create a table is by using the TABLE command to generate a dynamic object. Alternatively, you can link a table from Microsoft Excel or copy and paste one directly from Excel. Tables can be modified in various ways, and you can also customize their styles. Understanding the intricacies of tables will enhance your efficiency and help you appear more professional in your workplace or classroom. Let’s explore the five most important concepts to master when it comes to AutoCAD tables.

Creating a table in AutoCAD using TABLE command

The most basic way to create a table in AutoCAD is by activating the TABLE command in the command line or selecting the Table option from the Ribbon (Annotate > Tables > Table). Once you activate it, the Insert Table dialog box will open up.

There are various options in the Insert Table dialog box. Lets explore each in detail below:

Property	Features	Images
Table Styles	Choose the style for the table.
Insert Options	– Start from empty table – From a data link – From object data in the drawing (Data Extraction)
Preview	The preview option allows you to view a draft of the proposed table.
Insertion Behavior	Specify Insertion Point: This option allows you to specify a point in model space where you want to insert the table. You enter the cell width and number of rows in the Insert Table dialog box. Specify Window: This option allows you to specify a point in model space. The cell width and number of rows are determined by dragging the mouse in the right direction (to increase the cell width) and the down direction (to increase the number of rows).
Column & Row Settings	This option allows you to add the number of columns, column width, data rows, and row height.
Set Cell Style	This option lets you choose the components for your table – Title, Header or Data row.

Below is a GIF that shows how to create a Sample Table in AutoCAD.

Create Table Styles in AutoCAD

The table styles in AutoCAD are predefined formatting templates that determines the appearance of the table. You can choose or create table styles by typing TABLESTYLE in the command line. The Table Style dialog box appears. You can choose one of the predefined styles or click on NEW to create a new table style.

When you click on the NEW button, the Create New Table Style dialog box will open. First, you will need to choose a name for your new style and select a starting style. By default, the STANDARD style is selected. Click CONTINUE and you will be presented with various parameters to help you create the ideal Table Style for your needs. Let’s explore the New Style Dialog Box and various parameters in the New Table Style below:

Property	Features	Images
Starting Table	This option lets you choose formatting options from an existing Table.
Table Direction	You can either have your table Down or Up. In the Down option, the Table starts with Title, then Header and then Data. In the Up option, Table starts with the Data, then Header, and then the Title.
Cell Styles	In the Cell Styles you can update the style for your Data, Header, and Title.
General	– Fill Color (None or Select Colors) – Alignment (Top Left, Top Center, Top Right, Middle Left, Middle Center, Middle Right, Bottom Left, Bottom Center, Bottom Right) – Format (Angle, Currency, Date, Decimal Number, General, Percentage, Point, Text, Whole Number) – Type (Data/Label) – Margin (Horizontal and Vertical) – Option to Merge cells on row/column creation
Text	– Text Style – Text Height – Text Color – Text Angle
Borders	– Line Weight (By Layer/By Block/Line Weight) – Line Type (By Layer/By Block/ Line Type) – Color (By Layer/By Block/Color) – Double Line (Yes or No) – Border Options
Cell Style Preview	The preview option allows you to view how your proposed cells would look.

Table Components

There are various components to AutoCAD tables. You can learn about each component in the table below:

Below is a GIF that shows how you can adjust various table components in AutoCAD.

Editing and Modifying Tables

You can modify AutoCAD Tables in many ways. Below are different ways you can modify AutoCAD tables and also how you can modify them.

Modification	How to Modify?	Images
Adding Data to AutoCAD Table	Double click any cell of the table and then you can add data in the AutoCAD table.
Adding/Removing Row	First select a cell in AutoCAD table. In the Ribbon you will see 3 different options in the Row section: – Insert Above – Insert Below – Delete Row(s)
Adding/Removing Column	First select a cell in AutoCAD table. In the Ribbon you will see 3 different options in the Column section: – Insert Left – Insert Right – Delete Columns)
Merge and Unmerge Cells	To merge cells, first select all the cells that you want to merge. In the merge section, you will see three different options to merge cells. – Merge All – Merge By Row – Merge By Column To unmerge the merged cells, simply click on the Unmerge button in the merge section.
Update Cell Styles	There are various options pertaining to Cell Styles: – Match Cell – Text Justification – Table Cell Styles – Table Cell – Background Color – Cell Borders
Cell Locking	There are four options pertaining to cell locking in AutoCAD: – Unlocked – Content Locked – Format Locked – Content and Format Locked
Data Format in Table Cells	There are various formats that you can assign to your cells: – Angle – Currency – Date – Decimal Number – General – Percentage – Point – Text – Whole Number – Customize Table Cell Format
Insert Blocks in AutoCAD Table	Insert an existing block in AutoCAD Table/Cell. To learn more about blocks, checkout my blog AutoCAD Block, Dynamic Block and Count for Efficient Design Creation.
Adding Fields to AutoCAD Table	Insert a Field or Smart Text in AutoCAD Table/Cell.
Adding Formula to AutoCAD Table	Similar to Microsoft Excel, you can add formulas to AutoCAD Table. Below are formulas that you can add: – Sum – Average – Count – Cell – Equation
Link Cell	With this option you can link AutoCAD Table Cells with data in a Microsoft Excel file.

AutoCAD Tables and Excel

AutoCAD tables can feel annoying because you must double-click each cell to add or modify content. That’s when Excel tables become useful. You can create a table in Excel and either link or simply copy/paste it in AutoCAD. Let’s check it out in more detail below:

Data Link Table from Excel to AutoCAD

You can data link Excel table into AutoCAD. Simply follow the steps below:

1. Activate the TABLE command
2. Under Insert options, choose the FROM A DATA LINK option. Click on the down arrow to either select the Data Link or Launch Data Link Manager.
3. In the Select a Data Link table, click on the Create a new Excel Data Link option.
4. The Enter Data Link Name Dialog box will appear, where you can add name of this data link.
5. Next, you will need to provide a path to the Excel Table Sheet. Once you provide the path, you will have the option to choose sheet, link entire sheet, link named range, and/or link to range. You can see the preview to ensure you are getting what you need.
6. Press ok, 3 times, and then you can insert your data link table in the model space.

Copy & Paste Table from Excel to AutoCAD

This is the most straightforward method to import a table from Excel into AutoCAD. Simply copy the table from Excel and paste it into AutoCAD.

If you use the Paste Special option and select Microsoft Excel, any updates made in Excel will be reflected in AutoCAD.

Export Table from AutoCAD as a.csv file

To export an AutoCAD table as a .csv file, follow the steps below:

1. Right-click on the table you wish to export and select the EXPORT option.
2. Then, choose the location on your computer where you want to save the .csv file containing the table.
3. Your AutoCAD Table is successfully saved as a .csv file.

Hope you enjoyed learning about AutoCAD Dimensions. To learn more about other aspects of AutoCAD, feel free to checkout 25 Foundational Concepts of AutoCAD.

In this blog, we will go through a step-by-step guide on how to summarize YouTube Videos using Get Recall AI. Before we get started, make sure you have an account with Get Recall or the Get Recall chrome extension. If you don’t have either, you can Sign Up or Install the Chrome Extension to get started. For this example, we will use AI to summarize the Dr. Robert Lustig: How Sugar & Processed Foods Impact Your Health YouTube video. The YouTube Video is about 3.5 hours long and found on Andrew Huberman YouTube Channel.

Step 1: Add the YouTube Video link to summarize

First you will need to copy the YouTube video URL that you want to summarize.

Next, click the NEW button on the top right of the screen. The knowledge card will open up. In the knowledge card, ensure the URL option is selected. Then paste the link in the “Paste a URL here” box.

Next, choose between the concise and detailed summary options, which will determine the length of the summary.

Step 2: Summarize the YouTube video

Now that you have the YouTube Video URL in the create knowledge card box and have chosen between concise and detailed option, you can summarize the YouTube video by hitting CREATE in bottom right corner of the knowledge card. You can also hit the CLICK TO SUMMARIZE button.

Get Recall will generate the summary for your YouTube Video in a matter of few seconds. This summary will be saved as a knowledge card in your Get Recall account. The concise option takes notably shorter span to generate a summary whereas a detailed summary takes a little more. 

You will notice that your summary will comprise headings and multiple bullet points. Thanks to artificial intelligence, you can summarize long videos into organized key points.

Step 3: Modify and Analyze the YouTube Video Summary

Once the summary is ready, you can modify and/or analyze it in multiple ways as mentioned below.

• Add Tag – You can add tags to keep your cards organized.
• Edit the titles and body – You can edit the summary generated by Get Recall to add a human element.
• Share the Summary – You can share the summary as a link to your coworkers or friends
• Pin or Unpin the Summary – By default, the card will be pinned, but you can choose to unpin it
• Generate Questions – You can generate questions from the pdf summary and test your knowledge by answering questions
• Export to Markdown – You can export the summary as a .md file format.
• Delete – Remove the summary card
• Switch to Graph View – The Graph View looks like mind maps and helps grasp information more visually.

Word of the Wise on the AI YouTube Video Summarizer – Get Recall

• Watching YouTube videos on 2x and going through its transcript are not the most efficient ways to grasp the knowledge. So use Get Recall to summarize YouTube videos.
• Start by using the concise option. If you still need more detail, then use the detailed option.
• You only summarize 10 YouTube Videos for free, so summarize only what you need
• Use the Graph view to grasp the key concepts visually. Check out the graph view for this summary below.

Get Recall is a great AI YouTube Video summarizer. You can summarize up to 10 YouTube Videos for free. You can also choose to subscribe to the premium version to get unlimited access to summarize YouTube Videos.

Apart from summarizing YouTube Videos, Get Recall has other tools that summarize PDF Files, Blog Posts, News Articles, Wikipedia, and Podcasts. Check out my blog post, The Essential Guide to Get Recall AI—Summarize PDF, YouTube Videos, Blogs, and More, for more information.