by Martin Phelps
Prior to AutoCAD 2021, the “Recloud” object was a “Polyline”, as shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1.
For best results before adding a “Revcloud” to a drawing, it was always best to set the “Revcloud” “Arc Length” to a suitable value, to ensure the “Revcloud” would be visible as a cloud.
AutoCAD 2021 now takes care of both these complications. The “Revcloud” is now a new object, as shown in Figure 2. Even though it is still a variation of a “Polyline”.
Figure 2.
When creating a “Revcloud” in a drawing for the first time, the revcloud’s arc length is set based on a percentage of the diagonal length of the current view, so the “Revcloud” will be visible regardless of the size of the display.
Figure 3 shows a “Revcloud” created in a view area of 420 x 297 with a diagonal distance of 514.4. This gives a distance between arc end points of 36.85.
Figure 3.
If a new drawing is created, but the view area is now increased by 100 times, so the working view is now 42000 x 29700 with a diagonal distance is 514440.2, the distance between the arc endpoints is now 6541.2 as shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Therefore, adjusting the size of the “Revcloud” arcs depending on the initial view area.
Previously, when selecting the “Revcloud” there was no easy way to change the size of the arcs, since the arc radius / chord length was not one of the options accessible via the “Properties” dialogue box. If a change to the format of the “Revcloud” was required, it was easier to delete and recreate it.
Although the “Revcloud” is still a form of “Polyline”, it now has the additional “Arc” property. Figure 5 shows the “Arc Length” set to “10”.
Figure 5.
With the “Properties” dialogue box displayed, selecting the “Revcloud” will allow the “Arc Length” to be changed from “10” to “5”, as shown in Figure 6.
Figure 6.
The “Arc Length” can also be changed by using the new type in command “Revcloudproperties”.
The “Grips” format within the “Revcloud” can also be changed using the new “Revcloudgrips” system variable. This controls the number of “Grips” displayed on the “Revcloud”, the default setting is “On” so the “Grips” are displayed as per Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Changing this variable to “Off” displays a “Grip” for arc segment as per Figure 8, which is reminiscent of how the “Revcloud” “Grips” were displayed prior to AutoCAD 2021.
Figure 8.
To control the appearance of the “Revcloud” even further, another system variable “Revcloudarcvariance” has been added. The default setting of “On” or “1” varies the length of the arc chords giving the “Revcloud” a more hand drawn appearance. Changing the variable to “Off” or “0” results in the arc chord length becoming more uniform. Figure 9 compares both options, the red cloud has the default setting of “1”, varying the chord lengths. The blue cloud has the variable set to “0” so the chord lengths are more uniform.
Figure 9.
Note:- If this variable is set to “0” the arc chord length may still vary slightly, due to size, shape and the perimeter of the “Revcloud”.
On creation of “Revcloud” its “Style” can still be changed from “Standard to “Calligraphy”, if required.
“Exploding” the “Revcloud” will convert it back to standard “Arcs”.
These new enhancements make adding a revision cloud to a drawing a lot simpler and easier with the option to add individuality.