AutoCAD Forgotten Tool: Pan by Points

How long have you used AutoCAD? Each year, Autodesk adds more features to AutoCAD. Sometimes the existing tools are adjusted to current trends. It’s not possible to place all of the tools to your screen, so some older tools are hidden. They become forgotten. RK McSwain wrote a good sample that we already forget some zoom tools.

Another tool that I like to use, but you can’t find it on your toolbar, or ribbon, or steering wheel is pan by points. Most people will use pan by using their mouse mid button. But this way will not be easy to use it for panning along an axis. I use pan by points a lot for creating projected view and creating break view.

Let’s see this drawing below. The common workflow is we draw plan and project the drawing to create the section or elevation.

Arranging the views in modelspace is easy. They are already organized. But when we create a viewport for plan, then when we need to place section viewport, it requires more works to align them.

We can quickly do that using pan by points.

1. We copy the existing viewport to the projected view location.
2. Double click inside the new viewport to activate it.
3. Type –PAN (Yes you have to type it, and don’t forget the dash – ) then [enter].
4. Click two points towards the projected view until you find it.

Very easy, isn’t it? See how to use pan point to create a projected view below. If it’s not clear enough, click the image to enlarge it.

You can also use this forgotten tool for creating break view. If a drawing is too large, some times we need to break it to two viewports. We can do this quickly and easily if we can click points, not holding our mouse mid button.

Now if you are a veteran AutoCAD user, do you have a favorite tool that’s forgotten? If you do, what is the tool?

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Sr. Consultant in PT Cipta Satria Informatika. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and I am also active in Autodesk discussion forum. I'm a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, an appreciation for individuals who give contributions to the Autodesk community.
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