How to Draw Revision Clouds in BricsCAD

Quick answer: A revision cloud is an open or closed polyline made of arcs, used for reviewing or redlining to flag parts of a drawing that need adjustment or annotation. Three styles are available: Normal, Calligraphy, and Reversed calligraphy.

The Three Revision Cloud Styles

Normal, Calligraphy, and Reversed calligraphy (typically shown based on a rectangle). The Reverse option specifically is only available in Entity mode, or when creating an open revision cloud using Freehand mode.

Finding the Revision Cloud Tool

The Draw menu, the Draw toolbar, the Draw ribbon panel, or the Draw tab of the No Selection Quad.

Five System Variables

• REVCLOUDCREATEMODE: sets the default creation mode.
• REVCLOUDMINARCLENGTH: sets the minimum arc length.
• REVCLOUDMAXARCLENGTH: sets the maximum arc length.
• REVCLOUDARCSTYLE: sets the default style, normal or calligraphy.
• REVCLOUDGRIPS: when on, grip-editing one segment of a revision cloud also affects the segments adjacent to it, rather than just the one you’re dragging.

Drawing a Revision Cloud (Freehand Mode): General Procedure

1. Launch REVCLOUD. You’re prompted for a first point, or to choose Arc length, Entity, Rectangular, Polygonal, Freehand, or Style, defaulting to whatever mode REVCLOUDCREATEMODE is currently set to.
2. Specify a point to start a freehand cloud.
3. Move the cursor; the revision cloud builds as you go.
4. Move the cursor back to the start point to finish. BricsCAD confirms “Revision cloud finished” at the Command line.

Two right-click behaviours worth knowing: right-clicking at the very first prompt starts creation in the default mode set by REVCLOUDCREATEMODE, while right-clicking before you’ve returned to the start point creates an open revision cloud instead of a closed one.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s a revision cloud actually made of, geometrically? An open or closed polyline built from arcs, not straight segments.

How do I create an open revision cloud instead of a closed one? Right-click before your cursor returns to the start point while drawing in Freehand mode.

When is the Reverse option available? Only in Entity mode, or when creating an open revision cloud in Freehand mode.

What does REVCLOUDGRIPS actually change? With it on, grip-editing one segment also affects the segments next to it, rather than moving just that one segment in isolation.