Frequent tipster Danny Korem expands on a previous AutoCAD tip he submitted, "Edit in the Maximized Viewport Environment."

"I've been implementing this method for a while now, and most users find it to be a good practice because it provides these advantages:

• Out-of-the-box display. The maximized viewport feels more like the average user's comfort zone than the layout display.
• The Layer Properties Manager offers all the viewport functionality (VP freeze, color, and linetype specific for a single maximized viewport).
• The freedom to pan and zoom if the viewport display isn't locked. Maximizing and minimizing are totally trustworthy.
• Productivity. By making several non-geometric modifications through the Layer Manager and a little bit of exploiting of CTBs or STBs editing, new products can be created effectively without altering the geometry and data."

Notes from Cadalyst Tip Reviewer Brian Benton: I know of many users who prefer to work this way. They are more comfortable, and they do not fear accidental zooms or pans. In fact, many of the users I have worked with who use this method do so because of this feature — they don’t want to mess up the viewport. All they would have to do is lock it, but they still prefer this method. It clears up the screen, provides more area to draw in, and simplifies the interface for them.