WF 01
Site Plan and Section in AutoCAD
Image Reference → Drafting → Layout → Plot
Target OutcomeA drafted site plan with at least one section, interpreted from a precedent design drawing, organized by layer with CTB-based lineweights, scaled and annotated in Layout mode, exported as PDF.  

Choose your case study project here.
Precedent JPEG
→
Image Attach
→
Draft Plan + Section
→
CTB Lineweights
→
Layout Mode
→
PDF
00 Drawing Setup AutoCAD
Before anything else, set up the drawing environment. Everything you draw should be at true real-world scale in feet.
  • UNITS — set to Architectural. AutoCAD displays feet and inches natively (e.g. 1'-6"). 1 unit = 1 inch in model space.
  • Draw everything at true scale — a 30ft path = 360 units (type 30' or 360")
Set up your CTB files before drafting. Maintain two: one for site plans, one for sections and details.
  • STYLESMANAGER — create site-plan.ctb (max 0.50mm) and section.ctb (max 1.00mm). Or type "Plot" and create a new one in the top-right dropdown menu. 
  • Scale affects how lineweights read on paper — a 1mm line at 1"=30' reads very differently from 1"=5'
  • Switch CTB files in the Plot dialog depending on what you are printing
01 Set Up Layers AutoCAD
Open the Layer Manager LA and define your layer structure. Assign each layer a name, ACI color, and linetype. All objects draw on their designated layer — never on layer 0.
  • Suggested layers: REF-IMAGE, PLAN-CUT, PLAN-BEYOND, SECTION-CUT, SECTION-BEYOND, ANNO, TITLEBLOCK
  • Color drives lineweight via CTB — see Step 05
  • Lock the REF-IMAGE layer immediately after attaching
02 Attach the Reference Image AutoCAD
Find a published design drawing of a precedent landscape project. Attach it as an image underlay and scale it to real-world dimensions.
  • IMAGEATTACH to bring in the JPEG. Place at 0,0.
  • Scale using a known dimension — find a scale bar or labeled dimension and use SCALE with reference length to match real units
  • Place on the REF-IMAGE layer, lock it, and fade via Properties to reduce visual noise while tracing
  • This is an act of interpretation — your CAD drawing is your reading of the design, not a copy
03 Draft the Site Plan AutoCAD
Trace over the reference image on your own layers. Make decisions as you draw — what is cut, what is beyond, where is the elevation change. The drawing reflects your interpretation.
  • Use F3 OSnap and F8 Ortho to keep lines precise and clean
  • Switch layers constantly — cut lines, beyond lines, and annotations each on their own layer
  • Use H Hatch for paving patterns, planting beds, and ground texture
04 Cut the Section AutoCAD
Draw a section cut line on the plan. If the cut is not orthogonal, rotate the UCS to align with it before projecting geometry. This keeps the section upright and avoids diagonal drawing.
  • Mark the cut line with a DASHDOT or PHANTOM linetype on its own layer
  • To rotate: UCS → OB (Object) or 3P (3 Points) to align to the cut line. Your crosshair rotates with it. Click the "Top" button in the top-right corner to rotate the canvas. 
  • Project key points along the new X axis using XLINE construction lines, then draw the section vertically
  • Reset when done: UCS → W to return to World coordinates
  • Cut elements on SECTION-CUT, elements beyond on SECTION-BEYOND
05 CTB Lineweight Tables AutoCAD
site-plan.ctb — moderate weights for small-scale site work
ColorACIWeightTypical Use
Red10.50mmHeavy plan cut
Yellow20.35mmMedium-heavy edges
Green30.25mmWalls beyond
Cyan40.18mmPaving, paths
Blue50.13mmLight lines, vegetation
Magenta60.09mmHatch, texture
White/Black70.05mmHairline, dimensions, notes
section.ctb — heavier weights for sections and large-scale details
ColorACIWeightTypical Use
Red11.00mmSection cut, earth/structure
Yellow20.70mmHeavy cut, major walls
Green30.50mmMedium-heavy, walls beyond
Cyan40.35mmMedium, paving
Blue50.25mmLight lines, vegetation
Magenta60.13mmHatch, texture
White/Black70.05mmHairline, dimensions, notes
06 Set Up Layout Mode AutoCAD
Switch to a Layout tab (paper space). Create a viewport, set the scale precisely, and lock it. Add title block, scale notation, and north arrow in paper space.
  • Double-click inside the viewport to enter model space. Set scale from the viewport scale dropdown in the status bar. 
  • You need to setup custom scales.  Go to the viewport scale dropdown → Custom… to add your scales. 1" = 20' means 1 inch on paper = 240 inches in model (20' = 240"). 
  • Double-click outside to return to paper space, then lock the viewport via Properties
  • Draw title block and annotations in paper space — they stay fixed regardless of viewport zoom
  • Use a second viewport for the section at its own scale
  • Pro tip: verify your scale after setting it — draw a 20' line in model space and measure it in the Layout viewport. It should read exactly 1" on paper.  
07 Plot to PDF AutoCAD
Plot from the Layout tab. Assign your CTB file in the plot dialog. Always preview before committing.
  • Ctrl P → select site-plan.ctb or section.ctb depending on content
  • Printer: DWG to PDF or any installed PDF printer
  • Check Plot with Plot Styles and Plot Object Lineweights
  • Always preview — lineweights and scale read differently on paper than on screen
LAAR 61400 — Representation & Computation IWorkflow — AutoCAD