There are so many commands in AutoCAD that it is difficult to keep track of them all. It is even more difficult to keep track of every little detail within these commands. Typically, we go about our day using a set of commands so much that we run them without thinking about it. Eventually, we use the commands in the same way so often that we forget about the other features in a given command. On top of that, Autodesk often adds new features to a command in a new release and we don't notice.

One example of this phenomenon is the zoom command. Each of us zoom in and zoom out so much that we have forgotten the many "zoom" methods at our disposal. Once the scroll wheel was given to us, many may have even stopped "zooming" altogether. Let's revisit zooming and explore the many ways to zoom in AutoCAD.

Figure 1: The options for the Zoom command in the command line.

When you invoke the zoom command (by typing zoom or z on the command line) you are given many options. The listed options are: Window, Real Time, All, Center, Dynamic, Extents, Previous, Scale, Window, and Object. The Ribbon tab HOME-2D has a panel called Utilities that contains several buttons for these zoom commands. They are also listed in the VIEW toolbar if you have that turned on. Otherwise, we can type in the word ZOOM or just Z (unless your PGP file has been changed.) To use these forms of zoom through the command line, start the zoom command then type in the first letter of the word: W for window, A for all, E for extents, and so on. Many times it is much quicker and easier to type in the keystrokes (Z, Enter; E, Enter) than it is to find the command in a toolbar, menu, or ribbon panel.

Figure 2: The Zoom command in the Utilities panel.

Zoom Window
I don’t know if anyone keeps track, but Zoom Window may be the most common way to use the zoom command, other than the scroll wheel. There are buttons in toolbars and ribbon panels where we can start the Zoom Window command, but you are automatically using the window option in zoom simply by starting the zoom command. Once started, just pick two points to zoom to an area. A box created by those two points will be the area to which you zoom.

Zoom Real Time
This zooming option is also started when zoom begins. Hit enter (or right-click or space bar) to start the real-time zoom after the zoom command has been started. Zoom always defaults to real-time mode from the command line. Once started, click and hold the left mouse button. While holding the button, drag your mouse up or down to zoom in or out in real time.

Zoom Extents
Zoom Extents will zoom your screen to the outer "extents" of the drawing. If you have objects in an area of your drawing, they will be included. Double clicking the mouse scroll wheel will invoke this feature, too. Very useful and quick.

Zoom All
The Zoom All command will do just that. Your screen will zoom out until either the larger of the drawing extents or drawing limits is displayed. If you have set your limits and the extent of your drawing objects fits inside that area, Zoom All will take you to your limits. If the extents exceeds your limits settings, then Zoom All will work just like Zoom Extents in this case.

Zoom Center
This will set a new center for your display and ask for a new scale height. Pick a new center point then enter a new scale. The current scale height is shown in brackets. Just hit enter if you don't want to change the scale causing this feature to simply pan your drawing.

Zoom Dynamic
Zoom Dynamic is a unique method of zooming. It allows you to zoom out, pan, and zoom in at a different location in the drawing. When started, the drawing automatically executes a zoom extent, displays the previous zoom location, and allows you to establish a new zoom window. It is very useful for looking at a different area of your drawing.

Figure 3: Zoom Dynamic is shown. The dashed blue line is the drawings extents. The dashed green box is the previous zoom location. The solid white box is where the new zoom location will take place.

Zoom Previous
This zoom function will revert to the last display on your screen. You can zoom in to a certain location, pan, or zoom to a different one. Draw something and then Zoom Previous to the first location. It can be handy when you need to go back to where you were last.

Zoom Scale
Zoom Scale will display your drawing in an absolute value relative to the limits of the drawing. Type in the number to which you want to scale. Follow that number with the letter X (i.e., 2x) in order to scale the view relative to the current view. Zoom Scale will also display your drawing relative to the paperspace scale. Execute a Zoom Scale; enter a number followed by the letters XP (i.e., 10xp). A number greater than one increases the displayed size of your drawing objects while a number less than one will decrease them.

Zoom Object
Zoom Object will zoom you either in or out to an object of your choosing. Start the Zoom command, select object, and then pick the object. AutoCAD will take you there and fit the object to the screen.

Other Zoom methods
There are other ways to zoom that are not included in the list shown when you type in the zoom command. AutoCAD has the buttons ZOOM IN and ZOOM OUT in toolbars, menus, and in the ribbon. The Zoom In button executes a Zoom Scale 2X. The Zoom Out will execute a Zoom Scale .5x. Also the mouse scroll wheel can be double-clicked to execute a Zoom Extents or will zoom in and out when the scroll wheel is turned. For most users, the mouse scroll wheel is used most often to zoom in and out of a drawing.

Conclusion
There are many ways to navigate inside a drawing in AutoCAD. Zoom is one of them. It has many commands, some of which we use daily while others are used less often if at all. There is no wrong way to zoom. Use the method that you are most comfortable with and can execute efficiently.

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Brian C. Benton is a CAD technician and designer located in Fort Myers, Florida. Brian has been working with AutoCAD since release 10 in the mechanical, structural, and civil engineering fields. He has been a detailer, drafter, designer, IT assistant, CAD software manager, protector of standards, and proverbial "Help Desk." Brian is currently one of Cadalyst magazine's "Tip Patrollers." He can be reached at bbenton@cad-a-blog.com. His blog can be found at: http://CAD-a-Blog.com