ellen finkelstein logo

Ellen Finkelstein.com
AutoCAD PowerPoint About Links
       

Over 165 AutoCAD tips and tutorials!

AutoCAD Tips
AutoCAD Tips Blog

Get a free dynamic block tutorial and free AutoCAD tips!


RSS: What is it? Why do I want it? How do I get it?

Add to My Yahoo!
Subscribe with Bloglines

Buy a Book

E-mail This Page 
to a Friend

Submit a tip! If you include your name and I post your tip, I'll give you credit.

AutoCAD Tips & Tutorials

Marking revisions with a revision cloud

A revision cloud is an often-used means to indicate that certain areas of a drawing  contain revisions. The cloud draws attention to the revision. It's similar to using Track Changes in Microsoft Word, or highlighting text. The revision cloud circles the revised objects.

A revision cloud
A revision cloud

To add a revision cloud, choose Home tab> Draw panel (expanded)> Revision Cloud, or start the REVCLOUD command. You see the following prompt:

Minimum arc length: 2'-8"   Maximum arc length: 2'-8"   Style: Normal
Specify start point or [Arc length/Object/Style] <Object>:

The first line shows the existing settings. Use the Arc Length option to set the minimum and maximum arc lengths that make up the cloud. The maximum can be up to 3 times the minimum. When you create a range, the result looks more hand drawn. You can pick each arc point to control the size of the arcs, but if your picks are longer than the maximum arc length, AutoCAD creates the arc automatically.

Use the Object option to select an object and place the cloud around that object. The object must be a polyline, spline, or circle.

A revision cloud around an object
A revision cloud around an object

You often need to change the arc length to make a revision cloud look good around various sized areas.

Use the Style option to choose either Normal (the default) or Calligraphy, which creates beautiful clouds that look as if they're created with a calligraphy pen.

A revision cloud using the Calligraphy style
A revision cloud using the Calligraphy style

When you're done with your settings, just drag around the area to draw the revision cloud.  When you get back to the beginning, AutoCAD closes the cloud for you. You can end the cloud at any point by pressing Enter; use this technique to create an unclosed cloud. Drawing a revision cloud is different from other drawing tasks because you drag rather than specify start and end points.

More Tips

+

101 Tips

Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

Books by Ellen

New!
AutoCAD 2009 and AutoCAD LT 2009 Bible

This is the 9th edition of this book! Completely updated to conform to the new interface and, of course, it covers all the new features, such as the ribbon, Quick View, ShowMotion, the View Cube, the SteeringWheel, and more.

AutoCAD 2008 and AutoCAD LT 2008 Bible
Learn the great new features with wide application to all disciplines. Get the most comprehensive book on AutoCAD! DVD contains a 30-day trial of AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT. Thorough exercises guide you through each feature.

AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD LT 2007 Bible 
Discover the 2007 features, especially the radically improved 3D tools. CD has AutoCAD 30-day trial, 3rd-party software, and drawings for exercises.

AutoCAD 2006 and AutoCAD LT 2006 Bible 
Understand and use the 2006 features, including dynamic blocks and the new method of customizing menus and toolbars. CD-ROM has AutoCAD trial, software, and drawings for all exercises.


AutoCAD 2005 and AutoCAD LT 2005 Bible
Fully explains latest 2005 features:  tables, fields, and sheet sets. For the first time, covers AutoCAD LT! CD-ROM comes with software and drawings for all exercises.


AutoCAD 2004 Bible

Covers all features in detail. Hands-on exercises. Over 1300 pages + CD-ROM with software and drawings for all exercises.

                                  Home  |  AutoCAD  |  PowerPoint  | E-StoreAbout  | Links | Contact | Site Map
Copyright Ellen Finkelstein, Inc.