Sheet Tools - Align Viewport

Last updated: 2021-06-08

Total video time: 4:48

Overview

alin-vuprt-01.mp4 4:48

If a modelspace viewframe location/rotation/scale is changed after sheets are created from it, the associated sheet viewport does not change with it. Realigning the viewport on a sheet with a viewframe in modelspace takes multiple steps and can be difficult if a rotation is required.

This tool will align a sheet viewport to a location in modelspace. The location and rotation is defined by two points selected in modelspace defining the midpoints of the left and right side of the extents of modelspace seen in the viewport.

The tool has an option for fitting the viewport to the line or centering/rotating the viewport around the line and setting a fixed scale. If the tool is being used on a viewframe with the correct scale, both options yield the same result. If the tool is being used on a sheet viewport with no associated modelspace viewframe, the scale option should be used to ensure the scale is correct.

The viewport being aligned does not need to be unlocked before using this tool. The tool will leave the sheet viewport locked after usage.

Usage

WisDOT Sheets tab > Sheet Creation panel > Sheet Tools dropdown > Align Viewport

The tool can also be accessed from the command line: DOTALIGNVIEWPORT.

  1. Pick point inside Viewport: Click a point inside the viewport you want to realign.
    1. Modelspace will be activated. Snaps will be temporarily set to Endpoint, Midpoint, Intersection for using this tool to help with snapping.
  2. Pick left midpoint: Click the left midpoint of the viewframe or modelspace area to include in the viewport.
  3. Pick right midpoint: Click the right midpoint of the viewframe or modelspace area to include in the viewport.
    1. The sheet with the selected viewport will be activated. The viewport will not be modified yet.
  4. Set view to [Width Scale] <Scale>: Enter to use the default Scale mode or W to use Width mode.
    1. Scale mode
      1. Enter Scale <40>: Default is the existing scale of the viewport. The input for this prompt is the numeric feet portion of a Feet : Inches scale (Example: for 100 FT : 1 IN, 100 should be entered)
    2. Width mode: No further input. Scale will be determined by the distance between left and right midpoints.