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So far, we’ve discussed stacking as it related to what’s visible in a drawing. But it is also critical that when drawings are plotted, the output reflects the displayed hierarchy correctly. This month, we will cover the two related topics, paper/modelspace and “merge control.” There are some interesting tricks and TIPniques that can be used to your advantage.

If you think about it, AutoCAD’s paperspace could be thought of as “stacked” on top of modelspace. In our previous stacking articles, the issue of order and hierarchy always comes up. In other words, how do you control the relationship between the stacked objects? In the case of paper/modelspace, this question is still relevant.

At first, it may not appear that there is a way to control the relationship between the two spaces, because anything that you place in paperspace is always “on top” of what was drawn in modelspace. Visually, that is accurate, but it is possible to tinker with this “stacked” order when you plot drawings. In the plot dialog, there is an easily missed option called “plot paperspace last.” If you don’t see it in the plot dialog, click the “More options” button next to the Help button.

This feature, added in AutoCAD® 2000, allows the plotted output to reflect how things look on the screen, with paperspace geometry “on top” because it is plotted lasted (after the modelspace geometry). Prior to A2K, modelspace geometry plotted last, covering up the graphics that were in paperspace. Now you have more control. Let’s look at an example.

The following image illustrates what the drawing looks like from a paperspace layout. When plotted with “Plot paperspace last” checked, it looks the same way. The modelspace geometry (red fill) is plotted first, and then the paperspace geometry (black text) is plotted last (on top).

The image below shows a plot preview of the same drawing, but was plotted with the “Plot paperspace last” option unchecked. The paperspace geometry (black text) is plotted first and then the modelspace geometry (red fill) is plotted last (on top).

Does that classify as “stacking”? Maybe just a little? Work with me here, okay?!

You may be wondering if I have a practical example of this. Well, I do. When our company draws revision clouds, they are drawn in paperspace, given a polyline width, and assigned a screened color. Because the clouds have a width, it is possible for them to obscure linework or text that may be in modelspace. By unchecking the “Plot paperspace last” option, it forces the clouds to plot as if it were “underneath” the geometry in modelspace.

There is one condition in which this will not work properly—if the current plotter’s “Merge Control” option is set to “Lines Overwrite.” The Merge Control settings are modified in the “Properties” of the selected plotter, in the “Graphics” node.

If Merge Control is set to “Lines Merge,” the stacked geometry will essentially “bleed through,” thus voiding any efforts to assign draworder.

Let’s jump back to the topic of paper/modelspace for one last tip about a very valuable Express tool, “Change Space.” You could think of this tool as being similar to Draworder’s “Bring to front“ and “Send to back” options we discussed last month. “Change Space” essentially lets you take something in paperspace and “send it back” into modelspace. And vice versa. It intelligently scales the objects that are being “sent back” or “brought forward” to the appropriate scale needed “to maintain visual appearance.” It is very slick.

Well, that wraps up our series on “stacking.” Thanks for sticking with me. Hopefully, you’ve learned a thing or two, as I have. See you next month!

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Submitted by Chris Lindner, an AutoCAD user/consultant/trainer/developer for over 19 years. Chris is a former Top DAUG winner and is currently Vice President of the AUGI Board of Directors. He serves as Director of CAD Technology for WD Partners. He can be reached at Chris.Lindner@augi.com.