Revit has the capability to save the view settings to a view template. If you save the view template in your project template, then you can use it for your next project.

You can find Revit view template on your ribbon> view tab. Alternatively, you can right click a view name on our project browser, and choose from the context menu.

Let us try ‘apply template to current view’. In this dialog, you can find some default templates. If you are currently on 1st floor, try the site plan template and click OK.

You can see the view appearance now showing site plan. You can see the contour (if your model has any), you can see the roof –not floor plan anymore-, and other changes.

Try to use other template and see how it works. You can also change the settings from the dialog. But I prefer to change the view first until I’m sure to get what I want, then create a template from the view.

Now you know how to create a standard view quickly right?

Some Notes

The default views may be different if you use imperial template. And if you use no template, you will see no view template available. You can create a new project without using template by choosing none when creating new project.

You can save time if you save the views, then you can quickly load it later anytime you need it. And for a large project, configuring your viewports can help.

Saving UCS

Rotating view pretty much depends on UCS. When we work with many UCS settings, it would be good to save the settings. You can do it by using named UCS. This tool is in View tab of your ribbon.

AutoCAD will open a dialog box. Simply rename the unnamed UCS to something that can be easily recognized. You can use name like Bat Cave, Pandora, View 1, View 2, etc. But giving clearer name will help when you already have many saved views. You will see the named UCS on the drop down list, so you can quickly change the UCS later.

Saving Views

What settings are saved when we save a view? I snipped this from AutoCAD help file:

When you name and save a view, the following settings are saved:

1. Magnification, center point, and view direction
2. View category that you assign to the view (optional)
3. The location of the view (the Model tab or a specific layout tab)
4. Layer visibility in the drawing at the time the view is saved
5. User coordinate system
6. 3D perspective
7. Live section
8. Visual style
9. Background

There are many things can be saved!

Now try to zoom to an area you would use to work. Or if you want to work in a rotated view, you can rotate it now. In short, change the view appearance to anything you wish.

In 3D, when you place a camera, it would be saved automatically as saved view. But in 2D drawing, we need to save it manually. Click named views on your ribbon. This tool is in View tab of your ribbon.

In opened dialog box, change the view name. Pay attention that you can save the layer visibility and UCS with this view.

You can also relate this view to a named UCS, set the visual styles, and set the background. Pretty cool, right? Now you can change your views quickly, along with the settings.

Saving Viewports Configuration

There is one more thing. You may want to see several views at once on your display. You can do this by configuring your viewports. There are several tools to configure your viewports. You can use the standard viewports configuration from the drop down list. This tool is also in View tab of your ribbon.

Or you can split the viewports again to meet your needs.

And why would want to  do this? In 3D model, you can use it to move between views quickly and to see how the whole model looks like. It is the same here. You can quickly move between area, pick points that separated far-far away without having to zoom it. And you can see the changes on the complete drawing. And yes, you can have different UCS on each view!

See the video on our YouTube Channel here!

Now let us see the word processors. I remember how we need to add tags to format the words. If you know a bit of html tags, then it close. I used WordStar. Then Microsoft Word. There must be some resistance when Microsoft decided to change the toolbar to ribbon. They are the one who said that toolbar is a part of Windows compliant application, and they change it. Not sure what elements a Windows compliant must has now.

The changes is permanent. Can you use toolbar in Word now? Nope. Can we use the formatting tag in a Word document? I don’t think so. Things have to change.

If we think of it, the AutoCAD users should be grateful. I think it’s the only application that has all three generation of command input: command line from Rolling Stones era, toolbar from Bon Jovi era, and ribbon from Justin Bieber era. At least I never found other application like that. Not even Revit and Inventor from Autodesk product line. Yes there is ‘unsupported’ old interface, but it’s not the same with the legal ‘classic interface’.

It is good for the users, but sometimes can be not that good for the others. I read Donnie Gladfelter’s book: AutoCAD 2011 – no experience required. I can see him trying to explain all three command input. I don’t really care about explaining all of them. Then it cross my mind: Do we really have to mention all of that when we write or teach AutoCAD? If in Office 2015, they change the ribbon again to something new, then AutoCAD may have 4 ways to activate a command. Unlike AutoCAD, Microsoft Office application just get rid the old interface. But not AutoCAD! If Windows is replaced with something new, some Iron Man high tech stuff, will we still have command line and toolbar? If AutoCAD lives for another 25 years, it can be 8 ways to activate a line!

I guess it is interesting to see… if, only if, one day Autodesk decided to simplify this and only use one default interface. If you can choose, which one would you prefer to keep? The one that you can’t live without it. No right or wrong for your choice and your reason. Please vote below, and I appreciate if you mention your reason.

AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011: No Experience Required: Buy from Amazon

Last week, I get my copy of AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD LT 2011: No Experience Required. The book is just published, and I’m really curious what’s in the book. It’s not only about the book content, but also how the author guide us through the book. That would be a really good experience for me, probably I can use the technique for my blog posts.

About the author, book, and publisher

First time I get the book, it was a bit intimidating. It is 944 pages (982 if you count the glossary and index). A very thick book. When I see the logos on the book cover, it even more intimidating: Autodesk Authorized Author, Autodesk Authorized Publisher on the back… On the front cover, you can see Autodesk Official Training Guide. This is the book that Autodesk suggest you to read when you are trying to learn AutoCAD!

Donnie Gladfelter is highly respected in CAD communities. He has a very popular CAD blog: the CAD Geek. He is a member of AUGI board of directors. His knowledge is recognized in public speaking and publications. If you search his name in Google, then you will see all of the search result related to CAD! :) A true CAD geek!

What’s in The Book?

I was an instructor in Autodesk Authorized Training Center, so I’m familiar with the training course. They used to call it Autodesk Official Training Course (AOTC) before. Donnie’s book is different. The first chapter is quite slow for me, but probably it was just because I already use AutoCAD for almost 15 years. Some new users want to jump right away and see some results. They probably can do that. Donnie still provide clear screen capture how you can find the tools in the next chapters. You may want to skip the first chapter at first, and (you have to) come back later. For example, workspace may not interest everyone at first, but it is necessary information.

I like how he guide us through the exercises. First, he shows us a drawing that we are going to accomplished in the chapter. Then he explain a few theories and ask us to do some exercises. The materials explain the theories just enough, not too long before we can do some exercises. His step-by-step tutorial is actually guiding us from the first command/tool, until you can finish and plot the drawing. The book thickness will not so intimidating after all after you start reading. You will get through the pages quickly. You probably will want some more :)

But the true added value of this book is how Donnie introduce us to the real world design workflow. Donnie guide us to implement the National CAD Standard (NCS), something that I rarely found being used in my country. I also interested to see he explain about the design, and not only talking about how you can draw it. For example, in chapter 4, he explain the difference between interior and exterior wall. I mean, most book I read don’t cover things like that. You don’t only learn how to draw, but you know what you are doing!

In addition, if you want to learn basic 3D modeling, you can do the exercises too. Aren’t you excited to create a 3D house model? It’s quite basic, but enough for beginners.

Who Need the Book?

Obviously the new users. If you want to learn AutoCAD by yourself, this is a right book for it. However, if you already use AutoCAD, this book can also help to give you a good foundation. Since it is the official training guide, and the detailed information in it… it’s a book you want to read when you are preparing for Autodesk Certification.

Get yourself a proper training is the best option to learn AutoCAD. However, if it’s not possible, then get yourself a good book… this one. The Autodesk Official Training Guide logo is there for a reason.

How to Get the Book

I’m sure you can get the book in the book store near you. You can also get the book from Amazon. So get the book, and have fun!