Guide

AutoCAD Revision Cloud : A polyline that marks areas of a drawing requiring revision

A quick, practical guide to using the revision cloud in AutoCAD: what it is, why it’s useful, how to create and edit it, alternative methods, common problems and fixes, plus tips to improve your workflow.

What is the revision cloud?

A revision cloud in AutoCAD is a drawn feature (typically composed of arcs or a polyline) used to highlight areas of a drawing that have been revised or need attention. It visually calls out changes on sheets so reviewers and collaborators can spot modifications quickly.

Key points:

  • It is created with the REVCLOUD tool (or via the ribbon Home > Draw > Revision Cloud).
  • It can be created freehand, as a rectangular or polygonal cloud, or generated from an existing closed object.
  • Revision clouds are normally drawn on a specific layer (for control of color, lineweight, and plotting).

Why and when to use a revision cloud

Use a revision cloud when you need to:

  • Draw attention to revised details between drawing versions.
  • Mark items that require review, correction, or approval.
  • Communicate changes clearly on prints and PDFs without changing the underlying geometry.

Benefits:

  • Fast visual communication for reviewers and contractors.
  • Keeps revisions non-destructive — the original geometry stays intact.
  • Easily turned on/off by layer for different deliverables.

How to create a revision cloud (step-by-step)

Two main ways: the command-line method and the ribbon/menu method.

Method 1 — Command line (REVCLOUD)

  1. Type REVCLOUD and press Enter.
    (In many AutoCAD versions you can also type REV and press Tab/Enter.)
  2. At the prompt choose an option or start drawing. Common options include:
    • Arc — set the arc length (size of cloud bumps).
    • Rect — draw a rectangular revision cloud.
    • Polygon — draw a polygonal cloud by specifying vertices.
    • Object — create a cloud that follows an existing closed object.
    • Width — set the width of the cloud “stroke”.
    • Style — change the cloud style (if available in your version).
    • Undo — remove the last arc segment.
  3. For freehand: click the start point and drag to draw the cloud. Press Enter to finish.
  4. For Rect or Polygon: follow prompts for corners/vertices, then press Enter.

Note: Option names may vary slightly by AutoCAD version. If you don’t see an option, check the command line prompts for available choices.

Method 2 — Ribbon / toolbar

  1. Go to the Home tab > Draw panel > choose Revision Cloud.
  2. Choose the mode (Rectangular, Polygonal or Freehand/Object) from the tool options.
  3. Draw on the drawing area using the same principles as the command line.

How to edit a revision cloud

Common ways to modify a revision cloud:

  • Use Properties palette to change color, layer, linetype, lineweight, or associative properties.
  • Use grip editing: select the cloud and drag grips to adjust shape (if created as a polyline).
  • Use MOVE / ROTATE / SCALE to reposition or resize.
  • To edit the actual arcs/points:
    • If the cloud is a polyline, use PEDIT to convert, join or edit vertexes.
    • If it’s composed of arcs, use EXPLODE (if needed) then edit individual arcs.
  • To create a cloud from an existing closed object: use REVCLOUD > Object option and select the closed polyline/region.
  • To change the arc size after creation: recreate with the desired Arc/ Width settings, or use PEDIT to modify.

Alternative methods and advanced options

  • Create a custom block or symbol for a standardized revision marker if you prefer not to use revision clouds.
  • Use a separate revision layer with predefined color and linetype to easily switch visibility for plotting.
  • Convert the cloud to a polyline for advanced vertex editing and boolean operations.
  • Use the Object option to generate a cloud around complex closed geometry (polylines, regions).
  • For annotation-sensitive sheets, consider using an annotative layer/style so clouds scale automatically with viewport scale.

Common errors and fixes

  • Problem: Revision cloud appears dotted or broken on screen or print.
    • Fix: Check Linetype Scale (LTSCALE) and the object’s linetype scale (Properties > Linetype Scale). Use REGEN or set proper LTSCALE/PSLTSCALE for layout vs model space.
  • Problem: Cloud does not follow an object when using Object option.
    • Fix: Ensure the object is a closed polyline, region, or closed spline. If not, close the shape (PEDIT → Close).
  • Problem: Cloud is not printing or is invisible on final PDF.
    • Fix: Verify the cloud’s layer is set to Plot On, the layer is not frozen/off, and the color/lineweight is printable. Check layer’s Plot style.
  • Problem: Cannot easily edit individual arcs.
    • Fix: Use EXPLODE to break the cloud into constituent arcs, edit, then optionally PEDIT to join back into a polyline.
  • Problem: Arc segments are too large or too small.
    • Fix: Use the Arc option (or Width) when creating the cloud to set the desired arc length/size. Recreate if necessary.

Productivity tips

  • Keep a dedicated REVISION layer and a standard style so all clouds are consistent.
  • Save common cloud styles as a tool palette entry or block for reuse.
  • Use keyboard shortcuts: type REVCLOUD and assign it to a custom alias if you use it often.
  • For presentation, hide clouds on final deliverables by turning off the revision layer.
  • When marking multiple small changes, use multiple small clouds instead of one large one for clarity.
  • For version control, annotate each cloud with a revision note (e.g., “Rev A — For review”) using text or a revision table block.

FAQ

How do I change the arc size of an existing revision cloud?

You cannot directly change arc size on an already-created cloud; the simplest approach is to delete and recreate it with the desired Arc or Width settings. Alternatively, explode the cloud and manually edit arc segments.

Can I make revision clouds non-plotting but visible on-screen?

Yes — place them on a layer set to No Plot (turn off plotting for that layer). On-screen they remain visible; they won’t appear in printed output or exported PDFs.

How do I create a cloud around a complex shape?

Use REVCLOUD > Object and select a closed polyline or region that represents the boundary. If the shape isn’t closed, convert or close it first (PEDIT → Close, or use BOUNDARY/REGION).

Why do my revision clouds look different in layout viewports?

Viewport and paper space scaling can affect the apparent thickness/linetype of clouds. Use annotative properties or adjust LTSCALE / PSLTSCALE so clouds display correctly in both model and paper space.

Is there a way to batch remove all revision clouds?

Yes — use the LAYDEL or select by properties: filter objects by layer or by object type (revision clouds are often polylines/arcs). Use QUICKSELECT or FILTER to select and delete them in one operation.

Will revision clouds affect dimensions or object snaps?

No — revision clouds are separate drawing objects and do not change underlying geometry. They should not affect dimensions or object snaps unless they overlap and you are snapping to the cloud itself.

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