The CAD environment

In this section

Scales

Coordinate system and origin

Coordinate_notation

Metric vs. Imperial

Ruler tool

Ruler_icons

Position Tool

The missing coordinate

Command Line

Plot types

Isometric_view_angle

Ortho

Ortho_for_single_axis

Snaps

Insertion points

Interactive mode

Scales

When drawing in WYSIWYG, you are drawing in real scale (1:1). When you create a drawing in CAD, you are generating a virtual representation of your real set-up. If you were to do this on paper by hand, you would need to draw a scaled-down version of your space. However, since there are no paper size limitations in CAD mode, you can draw your venue, sets, pipes, trusses, and lighting fixtures in real scale.

Scaling down for printing purposes is done during print set-up and in the Presentation (PRES) mode when creating plots. These settings allow you to print your drawings in whatever scales are necessary without having to redraw anything.