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.

AutoCAD is an industry standard software and is continuously evolving. Hence having a good grasp in AutoCAD User Interface can help users adapt to new features and stay ahead of competition. In my personal experience, getting a big picture of different parts of the user interface helped me become more productive and helped me get over the frustration of being too slow in AutoCAD. Lets take a look at all major parts of the User Interface below:

Start Screen

The Start Screen in AutoCAD is a central launch point for users, providing quick access to recent files, learning resources, templates, insights and other resources. The Start Screen interface simplifies the process of starting new projects or returning to ongoing work. This initial interface speeds up workflow and encourages users to explore AutoCAD’s latest capabilities.

The Top Section

In AutoCAD, the top section comprises of the Application Button, Quick Access Toolbar, Title Bar, Info Center, Ribbon Area and File Tabs.

Application Button

The Application Button or the Big Red A button at the top left corner is a central element of the user interface. It is mainly used for file-related operations and program settings. Some of the features include new, open, save, save as, import, export, publish, print, drawing utilities, and close.

Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar is a customizable toolbar that provides immediate access to frequently used commands such as new, save, share etc.

Title Bar

The title bar provides the version of AutoCAD and name of the AutoCAD file. In the example below, Drawing 1 is the file’s name, and AutoCAD 2025 is the version used.

Info Center

The Info Bar provides help and support resources in AutoCAD. It includes search command, Autodesk Account, Autodesk App Store, Stay Connected, Help and Autodesk Assistant.

Ribbon Area

The Ribbon Area organizes a variety of tools and features in a visually appealing tabbed interface.

• Home: Contains essential tools for drawing, modifying, and managing layers.
• Insert: Provides options to insert blocks, references, and other content.
• Annotate: Includes tools for adding text, dimensions, and other annotations.
• Parametric: Offers tools to create and manage geometric and dimensional constraints.
• View: Contains tools for controlling the display and navigation of your drawing.
• Manage: Provides options for managing settings, styles, and external references.
• Output: Includes tools for plotting, publishing, and exporting your drawings.
• Add-Ins: Displays tools and options for installed add-ins and extensions.
• Collaborate: Offers tools for sharing and collaborating on your drawings.
• Express Tools: Contains additional productivity tools for advanced tasks.
• Featured App: Highlights recommended apps and extensions from the Autodesk App Store

File Tabs

The file tab is located right below the ribbon. The first tab will always be the Start tab by default. This tab makes it easier to switch between drawings and also help create a new one by click the plus sign. If you ever see a lock sign on the right side of a tab, it means the file was opened read-only.

The Bottom Section

The bottom section in AutoCAD consists of the Model/Layout tab, Command Line and Status Bar.

Model/Layout Tab

The Model/Layout tabs are used to toggle between Model and Layout. Click on one of the Layout Tabs to go into paper space and click back on MODEL to go to model space.

Command Line

The command line or command palette is used to input commands and receive results or feedback. You can simply start typing the command prompts; there is no need to click inside the command line to type the command. You can click on CTRL+9 to show or hide it. Another useful shortcut is F2, which can be used to see the list of the previously entered commands. One cool thing about this palette is that you can drag top of the palette above to see more previously entered commands.

Status Bar

The Status Bar provides quick access to drawing settings and displays current drawing information. To learn more about the Status Bar in detail, check out AutoCAD documentation on Status Bar. Below are all the features or tools available in the Status Bar:

• Coordinates: Displays the current cursor location in the drawing
• Model/Paper: Used to Switch between Model Space and Paper Space
• Grid: Toggles the display of grid in the drawing area
• Snap Mode: Restricts cursor movement at certain intervals.
• Infer Constraints: Automatically applies geometric constraints to objects.
• Dynamic Input: Displays command prompts and input options near the cursor.
• Ortho Mode: Constrains cursor movement to horizontal or vertical directions.
• Polar Tracking: Guides cursor movement along specified angles.
• Isometric Drafting: Enables isometric drawing mode for 3D-like drafting.
• Object Snap Tracking: Tracks the cursor from object snap points.
• 2D Object Snapping: Snaps the cursor to precise points on 2D objects.
• Line Weight: Toggles the display of line weights in the drawing.
• Transparency: Adjusts the transparency of selected objects.
• Selection Cycling: Cycles through overlapping objects during selection.
• 3D Object Snap: Snaps the cursor to precise points on 3D objects.
• Dynamic UCS: Automatically aligns the UCS with the face of a 3D object.
• Selection Filtering: Filters objects based on selection criteria.
• Gizmo: Provides 3D manipulation tools for objects.
• Annotation Visibility: Toggles the visibility of annotations.
• Auto Scale: Automatically scales annotations to match the viewport.
• Workspace Switching: Switches between different workspaces.
• Annotation Monitor: Monitors and alerts for annotation issues.
• Units: Displays and changes the drawing units.
• Quick Properties: Displays properties of selected objects in a palette.
• Lock UI: Locks the user interface to prevent changes.
• Isolate Objects: Isolates selected objects, hiding others.
• Graphics Performance: Adjusts settings for better graphics performance.
• Clean Screen: Maximizes the drawing area by hiding toolbars and palettes.

Graphics Screen

The majority of the graphics screen is dedicated to the drawing area. Additional tools in the drawing area include the Navigation Bar, UCS, and Selection Cursor.

Drawing Area

The drawing area is used to draw 2D and 3D models. You can choose to keep the grids on or off as discussed in the Status Bar section above.

Navigation Bar

This bar contains commonly used navigational tools such as View Cube, Navigational Wheel, Pan, Zoom, Orbit, and Show Motion. Mastering how to use View Cube, Pan, and Zoom is essential for navigating AutoCAD. Check out my blog Effortlessly Learn Navigational Tools in AutoCAD: Tips for Zoom, Pan, and Selection to Navigation Bar and other Navigation Tool in more depth.

UCS

The User Coordinate System, or UCS, is located in the bottom left corner of AutoCAD. Unlike the World Coordinate System or WCS, the UCS can be changed by the user to align with specific parts of the drawing.

Selection Cursor

The selection cursor is used to select objects for editing. You can select one object at a time by hovering your mouse over an object and clicking it. You can also select multiple objects by window selection, cross selection, and lasso selection.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to lock the user interface?

To lock elements in the user interface, click on the lock icon in the status bar. You can temporarily unlock an element by holding the ctrl button.

Can I minimize the Ribbon Area?

Yes, you can minimize Ribbon Area to Tabs, Panel Titles or Panel Buttons. Simply click on the triangle or upward arrow symbol button next to Featured Apps Title to cycle through these options. Take a look at the GIF shown in the Ribbon Area section to learn how to do it.

The User Interface in your blog looks slightly different from what I see on my screen. Why is that the case?

The images and GIFs in this blog were created using AutoCAD 2025. The software was installed on a laptop and its operating system is Windows. Hence if you are using other version of AutoCAD, using AutoCAD on OS operating system, AutoCAD Web or AutoCAD mobile, the User Interface might look different.

To learn more about other aspects of AutoCAD, feel free to checkout 25 Foundational Concepts of AutoCAD.