Understanding implementation of viewports
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Understanding implementation of viewports
So I am trying to understand viewports a bit better, this is a feature that is going to be a great help for me with title blocks etc. especially as I work with others in QCad.
I posted a couple of questions on G+, but not sure if that is monitored so first reposting here:
1. You would scale the viewport using the property editor when that viewport is selected? If so is there a chance of getting the shortcuts as are in the drawing scale, so standard sizes like 1/4" = 1', etc.
2. Is there a good way to handle having reusable layout blocks between multiple drawings? I assume you would effectively need to have at least one block and scale the printing for the appropriate size of paper? Or is it better to use multiple blocks, one for each paper size? I am looking at what I can do for templates to hand off to someone I contract to handle basic drafting tasks for me to save me a bit of time.
3. It is best to add all the viewports to a single layer and then hide that layer in the printout so that the border around the viewport is hidden?
Thank you for adding this feature, it is one that makes a big difference I am sure once I wrap my head around how to use it in QCad vs Layout.
And a few more questions as I have been using it. I am having difficulty working with lineweights using this, they seem to go a bit crazy. I have attached a poor example draft (Don't look for quality here, just trying to understand how best to use it).
In the draft I have a space drafted roughly, traced from a paper draft really, with a few additional pieces for a project. I then make a viewport of the space on a layout block. The layout block is 1:1 and has my logo, description and plate number on it for a title block. What I am finding though is that lineweights seem to be very screwy there, where the simple line I drew unless I make it 0 lineweight is much to thick. Likewise the viewport which I import and scale down to .25/12 or 1/4" = 1' scale I believe if I am doing my rough math right, and the lines on it are now so thick as to be useless for printing purposes. I have attached both the DXF and PDF export from 3.19.1 on my Linux machine.
I have a feeling I am doing something wrong in regards to this, would love to figure out the best way to address this if anyone has suggestions. Thanks in advance!
I posted a couple of questions on G+, but not sure if that is monitored so first reposting here:
1. You would scale the viewport using the property editor when that viewport is selected? If so is there a chance of getting the shortcuts as are in the drawing scale, so standard sizes like 1/4" = 1', etc.
2. Is there a good way to handle having reusable layout blocks between multiple drawings? I assume you would effectively need to have at least one block and scale the printing for the appropriate size of paper? Or is it better to use multiple blocks, one for each paper size? I am looking at what I can do for templates to hand off to someone I contract to handle basic drafting tasks for me to save me a bit of time.
3. It is best to add all the viewports to a single layer and then hide that layer in the printout so that the border around the viewport is hidden?
Thank you for adding this feature, it is one that makes a big difference I am sure once I wrap my head around how to use it in QCad vs Layout.
And a few more questions as I have been using it. I am having difficulty working with lineweights using this, they seem to go a bit crazy. I have attached a poor example draft (Don't look for quality here, just trying to understand how best to use it).
In the draft I have a space drafted roughly, traced from a paper draft really, with a few additional pieces for a project. I then make a viewport of the space on a layout block. The layout block is 1:1 and has my logo, description and plate number on it for a title block. What I am finding though is that lineweights seem to be very screwy there, where the simple line I drew unless I make it 0 lineweight is much to thick. Likewise the viewport which I import and scale down to .25/12 or 1/4" = 1' scale I believe if I am doing my rough math right, and the lines on it are now so thick as to be useless for printing purposes. I have attached both the DXF and PDF export from 3.19.1 on my Linux machine.
I have a feeling I am doing something wrong in regards to this, would love to figure out the best way to address this if anyone has suggestions. Thanks in advance!
- Attachments
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- Example.dxf
- (256.76 KiB) Downloaded 353 times
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- Example.pdf
- (250.86 KiB) Downloaded 346 times
Re: Understanding implementation of viewports
Hi Seablade - welcome to the QCAD Forum.
I'll file a feature request / bugreport.
Reusable block: Sure. You could use the QCAD Library to use one and the same block in multiple drawings. A copy and paste action would accomplish this task too - just another way to do it.
Template: Here is my solution. I prepared a Template with likely used Layer and Blocks. Regarding my printing hardware I can only print ANSI A what means I prepared Layout Blocks (Paper_Space) for the only possible situations - Portrait or Landscape oriented.
When I'm done with my drawing I'll decide which Print Layout I need to use (Portrait or Landscape) and create the Viewports in that particular Layout Block / Paper_Space.
Now you are free to keep the "unused" Layout Block or just delete it. If you decide to delete it then you can launch the "Purge Unused Blocks" too - all unused blocks are gone ...
I'll check your example drawing but for the next time please open for none related question multiple thread's. Keeps the forum clean and searchable. Thank you.
Yes - that bother me too.Seablade wrote: 1. You would scale the viewport using the property editor when that viewport is selected? If so is there a chance of getting the shortcuts as are in the drawing scale, so standard sizes like 1/4" = 1', etc.
I'll file a feature request / bugreport.
This question can't be answered with a yes or now neither right or wrong. It depends on the given situation and needs.Seablade wrote:2. Is there a good way to handle having reusable layout blocks between multiple drawings? I assume you would effectively need to have at least one block and scale the printing for the appropriate size of paper? Or is it better to use multiple blocks, one for each paper size? I am looking at what I can do for templates to hand off to someone I contract to handle basic drafting tasks for me to save me a bit of time.
Reusable block: Sure. You could use the QCAD Library to use one and the same block in multiple drawings. A copy and paste action would accomplish this task too - just another way to do it.
Template: Here is my solution. I prepared a Template with likely used Layer and Blocks. Regarding my printing hardware I can only print ANSI A what means I prepared Layout Blocks (Paper_Space) for the only possible situations - Portrait or Landscape oriented.
When I'm done with my drawing I'll decide which Print Layout I need to use (Portrait or Landscape) and create the Viewports in that particular Layout Block / Paper_Space.
Now you are free to keep the "unused" Layout Block or just delete it. If you decide to delete it then you can launch the "Purge Unused Blocks" too - all unused blocks are gone ...
Yes.Seablade wrote:3. It is best to add all the viewports to a single layer and then hide that layer in the printout so that the border around the viewport is hidden?
I'll check your example drawing but for the next time please open for none related question multiple thread's. Keeps the forum clean and searchable. Thank you.
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If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."
Re: Understanding implementation of viewports
Hey Husky, thanks for the reply!
Sorry about the multiple questions one post thing, habits from other forums, especially when I am not convinced it isn't just me being obtuse:)
Thanks for the rest, I will attempt to put it in practice and see how it goes.
Seablade
Sorry about the multiple questions one post thing, habits from other forums, especially when I am not convinced it isn't just me being obtuse:)
One other thing, not sure if this is just I haven't run across the use case or not, but I suspect viewports should ignore the print scaling in the paperspace unless told not to? On some unscaled drawings like my wiring schematics I can see a possible use for it I suppose, but for most cases I wouldn't want anything to change the scale of a viewport unless I change the viewport settings as I may have the scale identified elsewhere.Husky wrote:Seablade wrote:
1. You would scale the viewport using the property editor when that viewport is selected? If so is there a chance of getting the shortcuts as are in the drawing scale, so standard sizes like 1/4" = 1', etc.
Yes - that bother me too.
I'll file a feature request / bugreport.
I tried to copy/paste the layout block between two drawings and was unable to. I right clicked on the layout block in the block list, selected copy, and then went to the new drawing and hit paste, and nothing happened. Is this a bug then or am I missing something important?Husky wrote: Reusable block: Sure. You could use the QCAD Library to use one and the same block in multiple drawings. A copy and paste action would accomplish this task too - just another way to do it.
Thanks for the rest, I will attempt to put it in practice and see how it goes.
Seablade
Re: Understanding implementation of viewports
The main idea behind using Layout Blocks with Viewpoints is to have the Layout Block in 1:1 and if necessary the Viewport scaled.Seablade wrote:And a few more questions as I have been using it. I am having difficulty working with lineweights using this, they seem to go a bit crazy. I have attached a poor example draft (Don't look for quality here, just trying to understand how best to use it).
In the draft I have a space drafted roughly, traced from a paper draft really, with a few additional pieces for a project. I then make a viewport of the space on a layout block. The layout block is 1:1 and has my logo, description and plate number on it for a title block. What I am finding though is that lineweights seem to be very screwy there, where the simple line I drew unless I make it 0 lineweight is much to thick. Likewise the viewport which I import and scale down to .25/12 or 1/4" = 1' scale I believe if I am doing my rough math right, and the lines on it are now so thick as to be useless for printing purposes. I have attached both the DXF and PDF export from 3.19.1 on my Linux machine.
Your Line thickness problem is caused by using a scaled Viewpoint (4:1) AND a scaled Paper_space (1/16" = 1'-0").
Adjust the Paper_Space from 1/16" = 1'-0" to 1"=1" and figure what scale works for the Viewport. The print should then be fine.
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."
Re: Understanding implementation of viewports
Please see also my answer above.Seablade wrote:One other thing, not sure if this is just I haven't run across the use case or not, but I suspect viewports should ignore the print scaling in the paperspace unless told not to? On some unscaled drawings like my wiring schematics I can see a possible use for it I suppose, but for most cases I wouldn't want anything to change the scale of a viewport unless I change the viewport settings as I may have the scale identified elsewhere.
Blocking the possibility of adjusting the Paper_Space scale would be nice for many user - but not for all. Now we have a problem.
Clicking the block in the Block List / using the right click to copy will duplicate this block for use in the Block List.Husky wrote:I tried to copy/paste the layout block between two drawings and was unable to. I right clicked on the layout block in the block list, selected copy, and then went to the new drawing and hit paste, and nothing happened. Is this a bug then or am I missing something important?
To copy and past a Block in the same or also in all other open drawing requires to select the Block in Model_Space. Then you can use copy/paste as usual known.
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Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."
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Re: Understanding implementation of viewports
Didn't even get that here, didn't seem to make any difference. I suspect I am running into a bug as a result of this.Husky wrote: Clicking the block in the Block List / using the right click to copy will duplicate this block for use in the Block List.
I assume by this I should be selecting it in the view of the model, not the block list? In which case how would you do that for a layout block, as it is not visible in the model view?To copy and past a Block in the same or also in all other open drawing requires to select the Block in Model_Space. Then you can use copy/paste as usual known.
Seablade
Re: Understanding implementation of viewports
Sorry for the confusion - my bad!Seablade wrote:In which case how would you do that for a layout block, as it is not visible in the model view?
You had ask how to copy a "Layout Block" and I refereed to a "normal" Block.
No, in the current version of QCAD is no way to copy a Layout Block. The Layout Block / Viewport functionality is just recently implemented in QCAD and I'm sure there is room for improvements.
Maybe it is a good idea to make the "Command Line" visible to see warnings. In this case it would show you a Message what says:
"Cannot copy model space block or layout blocks"
To reuse Layout Blocks a template drawing is currently the way to go.
Work smart, not hard: QCad Pro
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."
Win10/64, QcadPro, QcadCam version: Current.
If a thread is considered as "solved" please change the title of the first post to "[solved] Title..."
Re: Understanding implementation of viewports
Ok thanks, this is still a useful feature, it is just getting it implemented into the workflow now is what I have to do. Thanks again!Husky wrote:Sorry for the confusion - my bad!Seablade wrote:In which case how would you do that for a layout block, as it is not visible in the model view?
You had ask how to copy a "Layout Block" and I refereed to a "normal" Block.
No, in the current version of QCAD is no way to copy a Layout Block. The Layout Block / Viewport functionality is just recently implemented in QCAD and I'm sure there is room for improvements.
Maybe it is a good idea to make the "Command Line" visible to see warnings. In this case it would show you a Message what says:
"Cannot copy model space block or layout blocks"
To reuse Layout Blocks a template drawing is currently the way to go.
Thomas Vecchione
Re: Understanding implementation of viewports
There's a feature request. Look here: http://www.qcad.org/bugtracker/index.ph ... sk_id=1674
Ich will nicht streiten. Ich will nur deutlich machen, dass ich Recht habe und DU NICHT.