Create Frame
Contents
Command line: PLOTRA
Ribbonbar: ProSig EPU -> Tools -> Plotting -> Create Frame
The function 'Create Frame' serves to prepare drawings for plotting. It enables users to create plot templates including frames and labeling fields within an AutoCAD-specific "layout environment".
Generally, the process of creating drawings in AutoCAD involves the use of so-called "model spaces", in which the AutoCAD system variable "TILEMODE" is assigned the value "1". Model spaces make it possible for users to apply the AutoCAD command VPORTS/AFENSTER to create multiple viewports for simultaneously showing different views of a model. They also leave no room for any empty gaps "between" the individual viewports.
Within the aforementioned layout environment, the AutoCAD system variable "TILEMODE" is assigned the value "0". AutoCAD makes it possible to define multiple "layout environments", or layouts, where users can apply the AutoCAD command MVIEW/MANSFEN to define "model space viewports in paper space". However, for simplification purposes, these particular viewports are best referred to as "layout environment viewports" from now on. That said, unlike the model space viewport, a layout environment viewport does not capture the whole layout environment. Think in terms of moving a focus lens across the paper space before focusing on a specific section of the drawing in the model space. The whole idea behind layout environment viewports is to facilitate the task of plotting different individual sections of a drawing.
The underlying principle behind creating plot frames via the function Create Frame involves prior set-up of the layout environment viewports in which the drawing section you want to plot should be displayed and positioning of the actual plot frame along with a labeling field around the viewport in the layout environment. In order to distinguish and identify any drawing spaces already provided with plot frames, users insert them with so-called "virtual plot frames", whose dimensions and positions correspond to those of the drawing section displayed in the relevant layout environment viewport.
The function Create Frame is further used to analyze the adaptable PLOTRA file.
See also:
Creating Plot Frames, Term Definitions
Plot Frame Dialog Box, Setting Up Virtual Plot Frames (Model)
Plot Frame Dialog Box, Inserting Plot Frames (Layout)
Plot Frame Dialog Box: Synchronizing Plot Frames