Drawing Layouts

File | Page Layout | Single View

Sketches and models can be printed directly from the editor using a single view. This method uses a simple page layout based on capturing the extents of the drawing and seating them in the center of a page.

In the example below, the 2D sketch will be prepared for printing onto an A4 Portrait sheet. The scale will be non-specific in this example.

Select File > Page Layout, then from the Setup Mode tile, set the option to Height and Width. This will allow a custom size and orientation of the page to be input.

In the Paper Size tile, set the Paper Size to A4 (210 x 297). More…These instructions will work for any drawing sheet size.

Uncheck the Preserve Annotation Sizes option.

Check the option to Overlay Drawing in Preview, then select Fit to Area and Align to Center, shown below.

Creating a print layout on an A4 Portrait sheet

Setting a Scale Ratio

In order to print the drawing at a specific scale ratio, set the User Defined scale to a standard scale, shown below. In this example, a scale of 1:1 is used. Select Align Center to maintain the drawing in the center of the drawing sheet, shown below.

Drawing scale set to 1:1

Click ok. The drawing can now be printed using File > Print.

Model to Sheet

Draw | 3D to 2D Drawing | Model to Sheet

In this example, multiple views will be created of the solid shown below. These views will automatically be created when the Model to Sheet option is selected.

Model to be used to create multiple 3D views

[](https://www.tricad.co.za/2020-1/SharkCAD/Content/Resources/Drawings/Drawing Layouts Model to Sheet.sfx "Internet Connection Required")

Worked Example

[Download and open the sample drawing for this Task.](https://www.tricad.co.za/2020-1/SharkCAD/Content/Resources/Drawings/Drawing Layouts Model to Sheet.sfx "Internet Connection Required")

Select the Model to Sheet option from the toolbar above or select Draw | 3D to 2D Drawing | Model to Sheet then drag a selection window around the part, shown below.

Selecting the part

Select the A3 Landscape option from the Model to Sheet dialog box below, using a similar scale.

The views will be inserted into the title block with the information dialog shown below.

Click OK to display the view configuration in the editor, similar to that shown below.

Displaying the view configuration

Model to Sheet Layers

When draw view layouts are created in the editor, the Concept Explorer reorganizes the display of the layers such that the layout views are visible and all other layers are switched off, shown below. Additionally, a new layer structure is created for the new Sheet, shown as Sheet View 1 below.

To display the original part in the editor, activate the display of the Model layer in the Concept Explorer.

New layers created and displayed; all other layers deactivated

Model to Sheet Properties

Each view is contained within its own frame and the properties of each view are controlled by selecting the view, then left-clicking inside the upper left corner of the frame, shown below.

Controlling the properties

In the example below, the Properties option is selected and the Draw Name option checked. This inserts the name of the view into the title block, shown below.

Inserting the name of the View using the Properties | Draw Name option

Similarly, the Properties sheet is used to change the render mode of the view shown by the arrow below.

Rendering the top right view using the Properties | Edges option

Precise

Important Notes

In the above example, the name of the views were inserted by selecting the box at the upper left corner of the views and selecting Properties. The Draw Name option was activated.

In the views representing the Top, Front and Side, the option to remove 2D Objects in View was activated.

Multiple drawing sheets can be used in the same drawing, shown by the illustration below. Each sheet is organized into its own layer structure which can be maintained using the Concept Explorer.

Multiple drawing sheets organized into layers

Creating a NEW Draw View

Draw | 3D to 2D Drawing | New Draw View

A draw view contains objects captured in a rectangular-shaped frame which remain associated to the sketch objects or model in the editor. Placing objects in a draw view ‘frame’ allows different layers, scale factors and shade options to be used when preparing the drawing sheet for printing or saving as a print document.

Updates and modifications done to the objects in the editor are simultaneously updated in the draw view. It is considered good practice to have separate layers for drawing objects in the editor and draw view frames.

Once a Draw View has been created and placed in the editor, modifications can be made to the design using either the editor or the Draw View, but preference should be given to performing changes to the objects contained in the editor.

In the example below, the drawing objects appear on the left; the Draw View frame appears on the right. By selecting the horizontal line shown by the cursor in the left objects, the corresponding objects are selected in the Draw View.

[](https://www.tricad.co.za/2020-1/SharkCAD/Content/Resources/Drawings/Drawing Layout.sfx "Internet Connection Required")

Worked Example

[Open the sample drawing for this Task.](https://www.tricad.co.za/2020-1/SharkCAD/Content/Resources/Drawings/Drawing Layout.sfx "Internet Connection Required")

In this example, the editor contains a 2D sketch and a 3D model, which will be produced as ‘Views’ in the drawing sheet layout. A title block will be inserted into the editor into which the views will be inserted, maintaining associativity with the sketch and model below.

Contents of drawing editor

Layer Control

The Concept ExplorerWindow > Concept Explorer > Layers facility allows the user to maintain control over which layers are viewed, hidden or isolated. This is an important practice and is encouraged throughout all drawings and designs.

The objects in the editor have been organized into layers, shown below. The Sketch and sub-layer Dimension will contain all 2D sketch objects and dimensions and the Model layer contains all solid objects. The Layout layer will contain the views and the title block into which the views will be inserted.

The Layer Layout is activated as the current layer.

‘Layout’ layer activated as current

New Draw View

Draw | 3D to 2D Drawing | New Draw View

To do this, right click in the editor and set the view to Top. Right click and select Zoom All then zoom up into the area shown below.

Select New Draw View shown above, then create a rectangular selection around the objects shown below.

Creating a New Draw View

This new view can be selected and duplicated to the right by selecting inside the view frame, shown by point 1 below, then holding down the CTRL key and copying the frame from point 2 below.

Copy the frame to point 3 below.

Copying a new draw view

Use the side handles on the frame so that the objects in the right frame are fully contained within the frame and similar to the original draw frame.

Drawing objects in editor, above left; Draw View containing sketch objects, above right.

Side handles shown by arrow used to adjust frame.

Inserting a Title Block

Window | Concept Explorer | Symbols

The Concept Explorer contains a few sample title blocks which can be inserted directly into the editor. The newly created Draw Views will be inserted there.

Select Window > Concept Explorer > Symbols and find a suitable title block in the Mechanical > Drawing Title Bar section, shown below.

In this example, the title block shown by the arrow has been selected.

Selecting a Title Block from the Symbols menu

Right click and select the Zoom All tool, then drag this title block onto the approximate intersection of the drawing axis, shown below.

Dragging the title block to the drawing axis

Moving a Draw View

Create a pick window around the new Draw View and drag the view into the title block, shown below.

Dragging the Draw View into the title block

Create another Draw View of the 3D part, then drag this into the title block so that the result is similar to the illustration below. Remember to first create then duplicate of this view, then drag the new Draw View into the title block, shown below.

Dragging the second Draw View into the title block

Draw View Associativity & Layer Control

Objects in the drawing editor can now be modified and the changes will automatically be updated in the views within the title block. For example select then change the color of the center lines using the Inspector. As can be observed, the center lines within the draw views in the title block have automatically updated.

Layer control can now be exercised during design sessions to conceal the title block and views when working on the sketch or model. Use the Concept Explorer to switch off the Layout layer to conceal the ‘print’ area. Only the drawing objects will remain and the Layout layer can be isolated when the design is ready for printing.

Draw View Properties

Layers

All the properties of a view, including scale, zoom and pan visualization can be adjusted using the top left corner box, shown below.

Accessing the Draw View Properties (top left corner)

In the example below, the Layers option was used to switch off the Dimension layer, shown below.

Using the Layer property of the Draw View to switch off the Dimension layer

Select the view which contains the 3D part, then switch off all layers except the Model layer. Select the Clear All option, then click onto the Model layer, shown below.

Isolating only the Model layer for the selected frame

View Scale

The ratio scale of the objects within the Draw View frame can be adjusted using the Properties option. Double click onto the top left corner of the frame, then select Properties. Apply the appropriate scale to this view, using the frame handles to increase of decrease the frame around the objects if necessary.

Adjusting the scale ratio of the frame

Change View

The orientation of the view can be changed within the Draw View. Double click into the upper left corner properties box of the view containing the 3D Part. Select Change****View, then select a Trimetric View > Apply, shown below.

Changing to a Trimetric View

Render

A different render mode can be applied to a specific viewport by selecting the Draw View Properties. In the example below right, the Phong with Edges render mode was selected.

In the example below, the Model layer was dimmed in the Concept Explorer and this was reflected in the Draw View frame.

Render mode Phong with Edges shown in 3D frame. Layer dimmed using Concept ExplorerWindow > Concept Explorer > right click on the layer color > Dimmed Layer

Zoom and Pan Tools

Different zoom and pan visualizations can be created with each viewport. In the example below, the Zoom Extents tool has been used to fill the Draw View frame with the model. The Pan tool can also be used to manually pan in the frame until the preferred positioning is obtained.

Zoom Extents

To fill the Draw View frame with the model, double click into the top left corner Properties box and select the Zoom Extents option. The result is shown below.

Model view zoomed to extents

Naming the Views

The name of the view can be inserted using the Properties option. Double click onto the upper left corner of the frame containing the sketch, above left.

Input a name for this view, in this example, the name ‘Sketch’ was used, shown below. Check the option for ‘Draw Name at the bottom left of the Draw View Properties Box.

Creating a Draw View name

Repeat this, naming the second frame ‘Model’ shown below.

Applying the name to the frame

Removing the Frame outline

To remove the bounding box of the Draw View Frame, double click into the top left corner of a view and from the Properties option, uncheck the Frame view option. Repeat for the second frame containing the 3D part. The result is shown below.

Draw View Frames removed

Printing and Saving to PDF

The drawing can either be printed directly to the print device or saved as a PDF. Prior to printing, isolate only the Layout layer.

Isolate Layer

Go to the Concept Explorer and right click onto the Layout layer and select Isolate layer, shown below. Click OK, then use the Zoom Extents tool to display the layout in the editor.

Isolating the Layout layer

Precise Model to Sheet

Draw | 3D to 2D Drawing | Model to Sheet | Precise

This method provides smoother visibility and accessibility of sketch geometry such as lines, circles, arcs and ellipses within the view, allowing these objects to be identified and accessed within the view. This method also provides accurate calculation of edges and NURBS and produces a smoother rendition.

In the example below, the edges are viewed as polylines; in the example below right, the edges are viewed as precise.

Draw Views showing polyline, above left and precise, above right

Draw View Properties

In the view above right, the edges are shown as precise allowing them to be accessed or modified within the window. In the example above right, a dimension is added to the circle.

To apply the edge setting in the Draw View, select the frame, then left click in the upper left corner and select Properties.

Set the edge precision in the Edges field shown below.

Setting the Draw View Edge Property to Precise

Page Layout

File | Page Layout

Select File > Print Layout and select the Fit to Area and the Align Center options. Make sure the Overlay Drawing in Preview options is checked.

Print

File | Print

Select File > Print and select the appropriate Print device. The preview of the layout on the sheet is shown below.

PDF

File | Print | PDF | Save as PDF

This layout can be saved as a PDF file. Select the PDF option at the bottom left corner, then select Save as PDF.

Important Notes

• Separate layers should be maintained for the layout objects – the title block and the Draw View frames – and the objects in the editor. Draw layouts can then be isolated prior to printing.
• A New Draw View should be created of all objects which are to be printed or inserted into a title block. This should be done on a layer specifically created for the layout.
• A title block can be inserted from the Concept Explorer > Symbols menu. The title block should be inserted onto the approximate intersection of the drawing axis. To display the axis, go to View > Show Axis.
• Each Draw View frame can then be inserted into the title block by creating a pick box window around the frame and using the Gripper to relocate and reposition the frame in the title block.
• Changes and additions done to the sketch or model objects in the editor will automatically update in the Draw View frames. Please note, if the objects are moved around in the editor, then it may be necessary to pan or zoom within the Draw View frame.
• Layer visibility, ratio scale etc of the contents of each Draw View can be independently controlled by double clicking into the top left corner of the frame. Different views and rendering options can also be selected for specific frames.