What Is the Wipeout Command?

The wipeout command creates a mask that blocks out objects or areas within an AutoCAD drawing. It’s like having an eraser that, instead of deleting, simply covers what you need hidden, ensuring the underlying data stays intact.

Why Use Wipeouts?

Why hide parts of your drawing? Well, there are several scenarios where this comes in handy:

• Enhancing Readability: Cluttered drawings distract viewers. With wipeouts, focus on what matters.
• Protecting Sensitive Information: Need to share drafts without revealing everything? Cover it up!
• Preparing Plotting Areas: Mask off non-printing areas easily before sending out plots.

The Wipeout Command in AutoCAD

The Wipeout command in AutoCAD is a useful tool for masking or hiding portions of a drawing. It creates a polygonal area that covers the underlying objects, effectively concealing them from view.

How to Use the Wipeout Command:

1. Access the Command:

   • Command Line: Type WIPEOUT and press Enter.
   • Ribbon: Go to the Annotate tab and click the Wipeout button.

2. Define the Wipeout Area:

   • Polygon Method: Click points to define the vertices of the polygon that will form the wipeout boundary.
   • Polyline Method: Select a closed polyline to use as the boundary for the wipeout.

3. Customize the Wipeout:

   • Frame Visibility: You can choose to display or hide the wipeout frame.
   • Color and Line Type: You can modify the color and line type of the wipeout frame.
   • Layer: You can assign the wipeout to a specific layer.

Key Points to Remember:

• Plotting: By default, wipeouts are not plotted. However, you can adjust the frame visibility settings to control whether they are plotted or not.
• Editing Wipeouts: You can edit the shape and size of a wipeout by selecting it and using the edit handles.
• Combining Wipeouts: Multiple wipeouts can be combined to create more complex masking effects.
• Performance Considerations: Using excessive wipeouts can impact performance, especially in large drawings.

Use Cases for Wipeouts:

• Hiding Unnecessary Details: Mask out parts of a drawing that are not relevant to the current view or task.
• Creating Clean Layouts: Use wipeouts to create clean and focused layouts for presentations or printouts.
• Protecting Sensitive Information: Mask out confidential information to prevent unauthorized access.
• Visualizing Different Design Scenarios: Create multiple wipeout layers to quickly switch between different design options.

By effectively using the Wipeout command, you can create cleaner, more focused, and more professional-looking AutoCAD drawings.