Chapter 8 Manual Isometrics (Self Study Section)

This chapter will cover manual isometrics. We have already seen auto-isometrics and
believe it or not, you have all the tools needed to successfully create and manage
manual isometrics drawings.
The CADWorx PLANT approach to isometrics is unique in that it uses 3D Iso views and
UCS orientation presented in Paperspace rather than a 2D-view using iso snap style
and iso planes. Through this system, we achieve complete control and flexibility.
Isometrics are simplified since they are now just another view of our model. Isnt that the
purpose of isometrics anyway?

1.

Start a New drawing, of course using the appropriate template (Metric.dwt).

SaveAs; Iso1.dwg

2.

Setup as follows:

Main: 150
Reduction: 50
Spec: 150_MM
Dwg mode:
2D Single Line

OK

3.

Change your view to SW Iso (North Upper Left).

There are a number of approaches to create an isometric. Our primary tools will be the
Router (RT) and of course the Point & Shoot UCS. We could sketch our route with or
without regard to real distances. However, drawing to scale has many time saving
advantages. We can also use fitting makeup just as in standard modeling to help define
our route. You will probably use a combination of these approaches.
Lets consider a spool similar to the one we did in Chapter 3.

4.

Pick the North UCS (Point & Shoot UCS). Place a

WN Flange as shown below:
Next, start the Router (RT) at the buttweld end of
the flange.

8-1

Route Up 228.6 (+Z), 1500 Right (+X), Down 1800(-Z), 2400 South (-Y), and
1500 Right (+X)

5.

Pick Buttweld LR from the Auto Route menu under Accessory, and apply to
the polyline.

6.

Add the WN Flange to the end of the run, placing the Face on the endpoint and
Buttweld end in the X (North UCS) direction. [see Below Left]
8-2

Next, place a West UCS on the vertices of

the Elbow.

7.

Add a Control Station.

(WN Flange, Check Valve (R),
Ball Valve, Control Valve, Ball
Valve, and WN Flange)

8.

TIP:

MIrror the Check Valve graphics

if needed.
Add two 50mm SOLs for the
bypass, 150mm upstream from
the WN Flange and 300mm
downstream from the Elbow.

Try a Flat UCS and Tracking.

This is too easy! You simply apply the skills that youre already learned.
Next, we will setup Paperspace for our iso.

8-3

9.

Select Setup and pick Border. Check Paper Space and pick Predefined,
11x17 (ANSI-B) Iso, and OK.

Pick OK on the Setup dialog, and the attribute definitions of the border.
10.

From the menu Plant, pick Utility, then MVSetup. Use the Create option to
make a single Floating Viewport (or use the Viewports toolbar). Use the
bottom left-hand corner of the border above the title block area (INTersection)
and the MIDpoint of the top edge of the border. (Viewports toolbar or alias MV)

8-4

We can now Zoom and Pan our iso

into position. Make sure that
Zoom Lock is Off.
Zoom Lock
Also check your Status Bar, if Paper then change to Model.
Leave room for dimensions, notes, material tags, and a north arrow. Lets
dimension the iso!
10.

From the AutoCAD Dimension menu pick Style.

R2000 thru 2005, select Modify then the Fit tab and under Scale for
Dimension Features set Scale dimensions to layout (Paperspace).

11.

From the Pipe pulldown menu, pick Dimension then Automatic.

Command:
Flange/Offset/<Selection>:
F
Flange On
Command:
Flange/Offset/<Selection>:
Distance

O
450

Command:
Flange/Offset/<Selection>:
[Enter] for Selection

All

Command:
Point opposite side
of dimension line: Pick below iso

Is Zoom Lock on?

Consider making a
Named View.
Fix the vertical dimension
and clean up as required
(Rotate 90 and stretch)
TIP: use P&S UCS
Object on dimensions.
Use grips to relocate
existing dimensions.
Use grips to copy and
stretch new overall
dimensions.

8-5

We drew this Isometric to scale using real world distances so we dont have to worry
about editing dimensions. But, we could draw without regard to real distances or stretch
runs to better fit within the constraints of this presentation area.
Lets change the overall length of the 1500mm section with the SOL. If you check the
length of the pipe using Component Edit, it should be 1182.5mm.

11.

Enter ED at the command line for the

AutoCAD editor. Change the overall length
dimension to 2100 and the add 600mm to
the SOL to long end (1599).

Turn Off the routing line. Try Pipe; Utility;

Layer Control; Off; pick the routing line at
the elbow.

12.

From the Pipe, pulldown menu, select Utility then Dim Adjustment. Use
the <Dimension-Pipe> option; pick the 2100mm dimension and then the pipe.
Command:

Adjusted pipe to 1783 (1782.5)

Using the other option, Pipe-Dimension, we could change a pipe length using
Component Edit then update the dimensions that were affected.
One other command that is extremely useful is the ISO Flag in the Utility
menu. If we create an Iso with an extremely long side, say 30000mm, we would
more than likely need to stretch it to a more manageable length for presentation.
Before editing, we would run ISO Flag on the effected pipe run. No matter how
we change its length, the pipe will maintain its real value. Nice!
Note: Dim Adjustment can be used on a flagged pipe.

13.

From the Pipe, pulldown menu, select Bill of Material, Run, then Cut.Use
the default Automatic tag placement, pick the upper right-hand corner of border
for BOM heading, and select all components.

8-6

Relocate material tags as required using the Bill of Material; Tag; Location
command.
14.

Add a North arrow (Paper Iso North) from the Arrows section of the
Graphics menu under Pipe.

8-7

Next, we should look at offsets in isometrics. I prefer to shown use a box to dimension
offsets. Since I recommend using Automatic dimensioning, I have the variable
AutoDimensionBox set on 1.
15.

Open a New drawing, I2.Dwg, Main 6,

and Spec 150_M.
SW View.

16.

Route a line (RT) from start point to 900

East (+X); offset @1800, -1200, -1200;
Elev 1500; Slope 45 degrees; 1500
South (-Y); and 900 South (-Y).
Not very likely, but we will see both simple and complex offsets.

17.

Execute Buttweld LR from

the Auto Route menu and
place a WN Flange on both
ends.

18.

Add an 430x297 (ISO A-3)

Iso Border in Paper Space;
Create a Floating Viewport
using MVSetup, position and
scale iso. Remember Zoom
Lock and OSnap.

19.

Check dimension Style

(Geometry Paper Space).
Run Automatic dimension.

8-8

20.

Reposition dimensions as required.

21.

Dimension offset run using 3-Point UCS and AutoCAD Aligned Dimension.

3-Point UCS may take a

bit of practice but Rolled
Offsets in Isos are easy.

8-9

8-10