Drawing Scale

[CWEngineer]

I am barely beginning using AudoCad. I have been doing some research and I think I am getting the hange of the Model Space and Paper Space. From what I understand I am going to draw my drawings in real world units, then I am going to resize my drawing in Paper space using viewports, then I'll print the paper space 1:1.

My question is how do I know if I am drawing at real world units? I am a little confuse about the Drawing Scale under Format/Drawing setup/Drawing Scale - what should that be or does it matter?

 

[IFRs]

Draw in real world units by making, for example, a line that is 36 inches long go from 0,0 to 0,36. It's that simple. Draw your objects in model space only. Draw only your objects in model space. Draw in 3D if appropriate. Put your title block, notes, dimensions, leaders, etc in paper space. Please let us know which version of Autocad you are using, hopefully it is 2005.

 

[daddymem]

I notice you are a Civil, we Civils typically draw in decimal feet using the english units. Type "units" in AutoCAD to bring up a dialog box that is pretty self explanatory. Set up your drawing to the scale your viewport will be (eg 1"=40'), that will take care of scaling issues with blocks, etc for you. But as always, there are more than one way to skin a cat. Have fun!