Quick Start for Model Space Drafting
 
 
 

The process of creating and plotting a drawing file in model space is very different from the process used in manual drafting.

In AutoCAD, there are two distinct working environments that are represented by the Model and layout tabs. These tabs are located near the bottom of the drawing area.

If you are going to create a two-dimensional drawing that has one view, you can create both the model and its annotation entirely in model space, not using a layout tab. This is the traditional method for creating drawings with AutoCAD. This method is simple but has several limitations, including

With this method, you always draw geometric objects at full scale (1:1) and text, dimensions, and other annotation at a scale that will appear at the correct size when the drawing is plotted.

For information about using annotative objects and scaling annotations automatically, see Scale Annotations.

See Also