Expert: Bob - 12/19/2004

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I'm playing with Autocad 2002 to design a possible small addition to my home, about 400sq ft.  So I have a floor plan and then north, south, east and west views.   My problem is having a viewport that displays each view correctly, which involves both scaling and rotation.

I tried using the viewport LOCK option, locking two views at different scales.  This worked fine; I could switch between them and they displayed correctly.  But when I worked on a third view, which involved rotating the model to correctly display the view, the first two LOCKED viewports lost their display.

Is there something else I need to do to  successfully lock all of the viewports?

Many thanks

Ray
Answer -
Hi -- You never rotate the model, but rotate the view within the viewport: look up DVIEW in HELP. It takes a few tries til you get it.
Also, if you are having trouble setting up views, you can use this fudge: copy the model next to itself, rotate the copy, and place a viewport over that.
Third, if you are working in 2D, not 3D, and projected the elevations orthoganally from the plan (as in hand drafting), they should all be facing the right way anyhow. If you created the elevations sideways,(like unfolding a box),that is easier, but not the right way.
I dont have enough info from you to be certain what you did.
Bob

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Thanks, Bob - I'll give that a try.  I have a software background so i can usually, eventually get someting to work.

You are correct - I'm an amateur and did the house plans as orthogonal projections.  this allowed me to set in major dimension lines that easily transferred the basic dimensions to each side view.

If you don't draw the side views as the sides of an opened box, is there a shortcut to getting all the dimensions to allign?

Regards

Raymond Gray
New Jersey
Answer -
HI  <<< If you don't draw the side views as the sides of an opened box, is there a shortcut to getting all the dimensions to allign?>>
Yes, if you are doing it by hand, it is called a triangle-lol. You make construction lines on a new layer that you set not to plot. First, project the elevation that matches the orientation of the plan, then the side elevations go next to it, not next  to the plan. This might be in HELP, but it takes a few minutes to learn from a drafting book.
BOB
PS-- I NEVER think any amatuer should design and build without a pro working on it -- the fee cost is nothing next to mistakes, or increased home value.

Thanks again, Bob

I'll work a bit on your suggestions for creating the model and then the viewports for each view.

Let me expand my "amateur" comment, which was in reference to my Autocad skills.  I've done lots of small to mid-size renovation projects on my own homes, including a completely gutted master bath which included opening up  a cathedral ceiling, adding skylights and building a custom shower.   Plus I have an engineering background so the details of framing, wiring and plumbing are not a problem.   This addition, though, is larger than anything I've done before so I contacted an architect who initially estimated $2000 for doing the drawings.  Then after further discussion he came back with $2900 plus $$/hour for almost any support.  I suspect a skilled Autocad person could knock out drawings for my simple project in 4-8 hours; even two full days at a reasonable hourly rate would not come in at $2900 so i'm still doing it myself.

Are there Autocad experts who contract directly with consumers?  How would i find one in my local area?  I plan to sign the drawings myself and don't really need an architect.

Take care

Ray  

Answer
Hi Ray --
Of course the architect cant just draw to order, because of license, liabilities, etc., and has to charge for checking out the whole project, aside from the fact that he may not want to touch anything on which he does not have design input.

I am an Interior Designer and do CAD work. If you are qualified to check and sign off on the building dept. stuff, you could work with me, although I have to include a statement of non-responsibility. If I worked on it, I would prefer to see the rest of the house, so  I can make any reasonable suggestions on having the addition be the best.

I hope you will understand that I feel I can see things in planning and design that the homeowner cant see, and add both everyday use value and resale value. This was the part I meant when I said to work with a pro. Presently, I have a 6-8000 sq ft house to draw for the man who is my employer in teaching. In his version of the floor plan, Grandma cant go to the bathroom without everyone seeing what she is up to.

I cant suggest where to look locally if you dont tell me where you are-- lol. If you dont want me, tell me where you are, and I will make suggestions.

If you are interested in contacting me >> bobkellerman@aol.com >> Maybe we could combine the drawing, design help, and acad help, if you like.

BOB