Thanks to those who attended my webcast about how to create named views in AutoCAD 2025. If you missed the webcast, you can watch the recording of it here.
The following are some of the questions that were asked during the webcast and I hope that these answers will explain this feature a little further.
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Question: Is the viewport frame automatically put on a non-plotting layer?
Answer: No. The viewport frame (border) is placed on the current layer. All the settings are dependent on the current layer that you are creating the viewport on. Whether this layer is plotted or not, is controlled by the setting in the Plot column in the Layer Properties Manager. It is recommended to set the layer to the layer viewports, as this layer is reserved for the viewports layout.
Question: Can you copy named views to other drawings?
Answer: No, we cannot copy named views from one drawing to another. You have an option where you can create named views in a template drawing such that when you create a new drawing based on that template, the named views are already present in there.
Question: I do not see a Layout tab on the Ribbon.
Answer: The Layout tab is a contextual tab and therefore you are required to be in a layout for the Layout tab to display.
Question: I do not see the images in the Insert View gallery.
Answer: The display of images previews is dependent on the GALLERYVIEW system variable. If the GALLERYVIEW is set to 0, the named views are displayed as a list. Set GALLERYVIEW to 1, to display the preview images.
GALLERYVIEW – 0
GALLERYVIEW - 1
Question: If you make a change in model space, will it change in the named view?
Answer: Yes, any change made in the model space is reflected in the named view. If you have already inserted the named view as a viewport in a layout, and then you make a change to the model in Model space, the change is reflected in the layout viewport as well. Additionally, if you have saved the named view already and then you make a change to that area of the model in model space, it inserts the named view along with the new changes. You are NOT required to re-save the named view to save the changes there.
Question: When you insert a view into a layout, does it come in on the current layer?
Answer: Yes, the viewport boundary comes in on the current layer. The objects of the model view inside the viewport maintain all the layers on which they have been drawn. The viewport boundary is the only object that is drawn on the current layer.
Question: Is there any way to make the named view and insert it into paper space NOT display locked?
Answer: When inserting a named view in a layout, it automatically comes in as locked. Double-clicking inside the viewport, takes you into the model space from the layout. In the Status Bar at the bottom of the window, the Scale list and the Lock/Unlock button is displayed. The Lock/Unlock button is a toggle, which means clicking it locks or unlocks the viewport view.
Viewport Locked
Viewport Unlocked
Question: Do you add annotations in model space or paper space (through the viewport)?
Answer: You can put annotations on the model in both model space or paper space. I suggest to try out both methods and see what works best for you. If you are dimensioning in model space, use Annotative scaling. I do dimension in model space (with annotative feature) and use paper space for title block and some annotations. In some scenarios, I dimension in paper space such that the model space remains uncluttered.
I am hoping that this webcast will urge you to dive deeper into the world of paper space, Viewports, and the relation between model space and paper space. The information in my webcast was taken from our AutoCAD 2025 Essentials learning guide which is available for you on Amazon as well as on our ASCENT eStore.
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