UPDATE 14:54-13Oct2012: DraftSight V1R3 now includes a revision cloud facility so if you are reading this it may be worth updating.

Briefly the procedure is:

Draw a basic cloud based on a shape 1 unit in both height and width.

Convert that shape to a scalable block.

Insert the block where-ever you need that cloud shape, varying its horizontal and vertical scales to achieve suitable dimensions for your purpose.

Now here's the detailed instruction:

Based on Levi F's original suggestion (https://swym.3ds.com/#community:70/iquestions:396) with some modification the following produces a very acceptable solution.

Draw a square with sides one UNIT long. (type of unit is NOT important.)

Zoom in so that the square fills about half the work-space with working room all round.

Select DRAW < POLYLINE and select a start point on, or close to, one side of the square and in the middle third of its length.

Enter A on the command line to select the ARC option.

Enter D on the command line to select the DIRECTION option.

Move the cursor directly away from the start point approximately perpendicular from the side of the square and left-click the mouse to set the DIRECTION OF TANGENCY.

Now move the cursor close to the square and to one side of the start point. An arc will form.

Adjust its size so that four to six arcs will fit along the side of the square and left-click the mouse to set the end of the first arc.

Enter D and set the next DIRECTION OF TANGENCY in a similar manner to the first.

Draw the next arc making it of slightly different size from the first.

Set the next DIRECTION OF TANGENCY; Draw the next arc … … ...

Continue along all sides of the square varying the arc sizes for a better cloud-effect until you get back to the start.

Hint 1: Ctrl+Z will undo your last instruction and can be used to "back up" several steps when you want to change what you have done.

Hint 2: Try to arrange the arc at the corner so that it starts on one side of the square and finishes on the next thus neatly turning the corner.

Arrange the last arc so that it closes on the start point. (Use endpoint esnap, or close)

When the shape of the cloud looks satisfactory, delete the square.

(Other geometric shapes may of course be used as the base for the cloud using variations of the same principle as described above – a circle makes a good base for another useful cloud shape that can be scaled to form elliptical clouds.)

Create a scalable block from the cloud as follows:

Select DRAW < BLOCK < DEFINE ...

Work through the Block Definition page from the top to create the block.

Name: Of your choice.

Description: Optional.

Settings: Leave "Apply uniform scale" UNchecked; Check Allow block to explode (keeps the option open); and leave Units as "Unitless".

Base Point: Select the “Base point” button and select the middle (or other point if you prefer) of the shape as the base point.

Block entities: Select the "Select in graphics area" button and select all entities of the cloud; Select from the next three options according to which will be most appropriate for the occasion.

Select OK. A block definition will be created in your current drawing.

To make this available for use in other drawings, select FILE < EXPORT < EXPORT DRAWING and save it in your library of drawings.

Insert a copy of the block into each of your template drawings to make it directly available every time one of those templates is used.

Using the cloud:

Select INSERT < BLOCK...

In the “Insert Block” window either select your cloud from the drop-down list (if the block already exists in your drawing) or use the BROWSE button to let you navigate to the location of the cloud drawing in your drawings library and select it from there.

Check the SPECIFY LATER boxes for position, scale, and (optional) Rotate so that the block can be manipulated during insertion.

Select OK.

Click and hold where the centre of the cloud is to be placed and, with the mouse button held down, drag to size the cloud to what is needed on this occasion.

Repeat as required.

[User of DS (Free) V1R2.1 on Windows 7 Home Premium.]
15 Aug 2012, 12:17 (NZ standard time)