{"id":244605,"date":"2026-10-14T12:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T11:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tms-scotland.com\/autodesk\/?p=244605"},"modified":"2026-09-30T12:36:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T11:36:04","slug":"autocad-viewbase-2d-views-from-3d-model","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tms-scotland.com\/autodesk\/autocad-viewbase-2d-views-from-3d-model\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create 2D Drawing Views from a 3D Model in AutoCAD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tms-scotland.com\/autodesk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/04\/AutoCAD-2025-lockup-Blk-OL-ADSK-No-Year-1-line.svg” title_text=”AutoCAD-2025-lockup-Blk-OL-ADSK-No-Year-1-line” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-43px|||||” custom_padding=”5px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”2px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Working with a 3D model in AutoCAD but need clear 2D views for your drawings? <\/span>Rather than manually creating multiple viewports and setting up front, top, side and isometric views individually, AutoCAD’s <\/span>VIEWBASE<\/span><\/i><\/b> command can do much of the work for you. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

VIEWBASE<\/strong><\/em> creates a base drawing view from your 3D model, which can then be used to generate additional projected views. This helps you create consistent 2D documentation while keeping your views connected to the original model.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

We are going to breakdown how to use VIEWBASE<\/strong><\/em> to turn your 3D model into useful 2D drawing views.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/tms-scotland.com\/autodesk\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/07\/Featured-Images-WP-2.png” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” title_text=”AutoCAD-sheet-set” sticky_enabled=”0″][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px||15px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”What is VIEWBASE in AutoCAD?” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ custom_margin=”||5px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

The VIEWBASE<\/strong><\/em> command creates a base drawing view from a 3D model.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

This base view becomes the starting point for additional projected views, allowing you to create different orientations of the same model without setting each one up manually. You can use VIEWBASE with visible 3D solids and surfaces in AutoCAD model space, as well as supported Autodesk Inventor models. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

This makes it particularly useful when you’ve created your design in 3D but need traditional 2D drawing views for documentation, detailing or communicating the de<\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_heading title=”Why Use VIEWBASE Instead of Multiple Viewports? ” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h2″ custom_margin=”||7px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

One way of creating 2D views of a 3D model is to set up several layout viewports.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

You could create separate viewports for the front, top and side of the model, adjust the orientation of each one, set the correct scale and then carefully position them on your layout.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

VIEWBASE provides a more streamlined alternative.<\/span><\/i><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

Because your additional views are derived from a single base view, AutoCAD can maintain the relationship between them. This makes it easier to create an organised set of drawing views with consistent orientation and scale.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”7px||11px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_heading title=”Step 1: Check Your Drafting Standard” _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” title_level=”h3″ custom_margin=”||0px|||” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][\/et_pb_heading][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.8″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”]

Before creating your views, it’s worth checking the drafting standard being used by your drawing.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Right-click on a Layout tab and select Drafting Standard Setup. Here you can configure options including the projection type used for your drawing views.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The two main options are:<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n