Good Question: Single vs. Multiple Layouts

Today’s good question comes from Francois. He asked about the benefits of using a single layout versus multiple layouts in a drawing file.

The ability to include multiple sheet layouts in a single drawing file was first introduced in AutoCAD 2000. At the time, multiple layouts were considered the best way to organize your drawings because you could create more sheet layouts with fewer DWG files. However, it didn’t take long for people to realize that including multiple layouts in a DWG file meant that only one person at a time could edit those sheets.

During the past few years, users in many industries have returned to a standard of one layout per DWG. Many users in the civil industry, however, still prefer to use multiple layouts because they often design large site plans and using multiple layouts enables them to easily spread the design across multiple sheets. For example, a large utility plan might require four different sheets to be plotted at a legible scale.

The key to using multiple layouts is to attach design geometry as external references. For example, if you are working on a floor plan or manufactured part, don’t draw all the geometry in model space and then create multiple layouts within the same drawing because only one person can work on that drawing at a time. If you create the geometry in model space, using separate drawings as appropriate (ie. floor plan, electrical plan, hvac plan), you can attach those files to a new “sheet” drawing as xrefs. One person can work on the layout file, including multiple layouts in a single drawing, while other people edit the design files (floor plan, electrical plan, hvac plan, etc).

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to using single versus multiple layouts per drawing. If the layouts take advantage of xref files either method can work just fine. If the layouts themselves (paper space) include a lot of information such as general notes, tables, etc. it might make more sense to use a single layout per DWG to ensure easier editing for multiple users.