Complex Cad Drawings Rows of Circles

Drawing Objects

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to show you lot how all of the AutoCAD Draw commands work. If y'all simply need information quickly, use the QuickFind toolbar beneath to get straight to the command you want or select a topic from the contents list to a higher place. Not all of the Draw commands that appear on the Draw toolbar are covered in this tutorial. Blocks, Hatch and Text for example are all tutorial topics in their own correct!

The Draw commands tin be used to create new objects such as lines and circles. Near AutoCAD drawings are composed purely and simply from these basic components. A good understanding of the Depict commands is fundamental to the efficient use of AutoCAD.

The sections below cover the most oft used Draw commands such as Line, Polyline and Circumvolve also as the more avant-garde commands like Multiline and Multiline Manner. Every bit a newcomer to AutoCAD, y'all may wish to skip the more advanced commands in guild to properly main the basics. You lot tin can always return to this tutorial in the future when y'all are more confident.

In common with most AutoCAD commands, the Draw commands can be started in a number of means. Command names or short-cuts can be entered at the keyboard, commands tin be started from the Depict pull-down menu, shown on the correct or from the Draw toolbar. The method yous use is dependent upon the type of work you lot are doing and how experienced a user you are. Don't worry too much nearly this, just employ whatever method feels easiest or about user-friendly at the time. Your drawing technique will improve over time and with feel then don't expect to be working very quickly at first.

If you lot are working with the pull-downward menus, it is worth considering the visual syntax that is mutual to all pull-downs used in the Windows operating system. For example, a small pointer like and then "" next to a carte du jour item means that the detail leads to a sub-menu that may contain other commands or command options. An ellipsis, "…" after a menu detail means that the detail displays a dialogue box. These piddling visual clues will help you to piece of work more effectively with menus considering they tell you what to expect and assist to avoid surprises for the newcomer.

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Lines

Lines are probably the most simple of AutoCAD objects. Using the Line command, a line tin can be drawn between whatsoever two points picked within the drawing area. Lines are usually the first objects you will desire to describe when starting a new drawing because they can exist used as "construction lines" upon which the rest of your drawing will be based. Never forget that creating drawings with AutoCAD is non so dissimilar from creating drawings on a drawing lath. Many of the basic drawing methods are the same.

Anyone familiar with mathematics will know that lines drawn between points are ofttimes chosen vectors. This terminology is used to draw the type of drawings that AutoCAD creates. AutoCAD drawings are generically referred to every bit "vector drawings". Vector drawings are extremely useful where precision is the virtually important benchmark considering they retain their accurateness irrespective of scale.

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The Line Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-downward	DepictLine
Keyboard	LINE	short-cut	Fifty

With the Line command you tin can draw a simple line from one point to another. When you pick the starting time indicate and move the cross-hairs to the location of the 2nd bespeak yous will see a rubber band line which shows you where the line volition exist drawn when the second point is picked. Line objects take two ends (the kickoff point and the terminal point). You tin continue picking points and AutoCAD will draw a straight line between each picked point and the previous point. Each line segment drawn is a separate object and can exist moved or erased equally required. To end this command, merely striking the fundamental on the keyboard.

Control Sequence

Command: LINE
Specify commencement point: (selection P1)
Specify adjacent signal or [Undo]: (option P2)
Specify adjacent signal or [Undo]: (to end)

You can as well describe lines by inbound the co-ordinates of their stop points at the command prompt rather than picking their position from the screen. This enables you to draw lines that are off screen, should you want to. (See Using Co-ordinates for more details). You can besides draw lines using something called directly distance entry. See the Directly Distance Entry tutorial for details.

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The Structure Line Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-downwards	DrawConstruction Line
Keyboard	XLINE	short-cut	Xl

The Structure Line command creates a line of space length which passes through two picked points. Structure lines are very useful for creating construction frameworks or grids inside which to blueprint.

Construction lines are not normally used as objects in finished drawings, it is usual, therefore, to draw all your structure lines on a separate layer which will exist turned off or frozen prior to printing. See the Object Properties tutorial to find out how to create new layers. Because of their nature, the Zoom Extents command option ignores construction lines.

Command Sequence

Command: XLINE
Specify a point or [Hor/Ver/Ang/Bisect/Outset]: (pick a signal)
Specify through bespeak: (pick a second indicate)
Specify through signal: (to terminate or pick another point)

You may notice that there are a number of options with this command. For example, the "Hor" and "Ver" options can be used to draw construction lines that are truly horizontal or vertical. In both these cases, only a single choice point is required because the direction of the line is predetermined. To use a command selection, simply enter the capitalised part of the pick proper name at the command prompt. Follow the command sequence below to see how yous would describe a structure line using the Horizontal pick.

Command Sequence

Command: XLINE
Hor/Ver/Ang/Bifurcate/Start/<From point>: H
Through point: (pick a point to position the line)
Through betoken: (to cease or option a bespeak for some other horizontal line)

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The Ray Command

The Ray command creates a line similar to a construction line except that it extends infinitely in just i direction from the first pick bespeak. The direction of the Ray is determined by the position of the second pick signal.

Command Sequence

Command: RAY
Specify start point: (pick the start point)
Specify through point: (pick a 2d indicate to determine direction)
Specify through bespeak: (to end or pick some other point)

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The Polyline Family

Polylines differ from lines in that they are more complex objects. A unmarried polyline can be composed of a number of directly-line or arc segments. Polylines can also be given line widths to brand them appear solid. The illustration below shows a number of polylines to give yous an idea of the flexibility of this type of line.

Y'all may be wondering, if Polylines are so useful, why bother using ordinary lines at all? There are a number of answers to this question. The most oftentimes given answer is that considering of their complexity, polylines use up more than disk space than the equivalent line. Equally it is desirable to keep file sizes as modest every bit possible, it is a skillful idea to employ lines rather than polylines unless you have a particular requirement. You will also detect, as you work with AutoCAD that lines and polylines are operationally different. Sometimes information technology is easier to work with polylines for sure tasks and at other times lines are best. You volition quickly learn the pros and cons of these two sorts of line when y'all begin drawing with AutoCAD.

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The Polyline Control

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-down	DrawPolyline
Keyboard	PLINE	brusk-cut	PL

The Polyline or Pline command is similar to the line control except that the resulting object may be composed of a number of segments which form a unmarried object. In add-on to the two ends a polyline is said to have vertices (singular vertex) where intermediate line segments join. In practice the Polyline command works in the same way as the Line command assuasive y'all to pick every bit many points as you like. Again, just hit to end. As with the Line command, you lot also have the choice to automatically close a polyline terminate to finish. To do this, blazon C to use the close option instead of hitting . Follow the command sequence below to see how this works.

Command Sequence

Command: PLINE
Specify first point: (pick P1)
Current line-width is 0.0000
Specify side by side bespeak or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Disengage/Width]: (selection P2)
Specify adjacent indicate or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Disengage/Width]: (pick P3)
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Disengage/Width]: (pick P4)
Specify side by side betoken or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: (choice P5)
Specify next signal or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: (or C to close)

In the illustration on the correct, the figure on the left was created by hitting the key after the fifth point was picked. The figure on the correct demonstrates the issue of using the Close option.

Information technology is worth while taking some time to familiarise yourself with the Polyline command as information technology is an extremely useful control to know. Try experimenting with options such as Arc and Width and encounter if you lot tin create polylines like the ones in the illustration to a higher place. The Undo option is peculiarly useful. This allows you to unpick polyline vertices, ane at a time so that you tin can easily correct mistakes.

Polylines tin be edited after they are created to, for case, change their width. You can practice this using the PEDIT command, from the pull-down carte.

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The Rectangle Control

Toolbar	Describe
Pull-down	DepictRectangle
Keyboard	RECTANGLE	curt-cuts	REC, RECTANG

The Rectangle control is used to draw a rectangle whose sides are vertical and horizontal. The position and size of the rectangle are divers by picking two diagonal corners. The rectangle isn't really an AutoCAD object at all. It is, in fact, just a airtight polyline which is automatically drawn for y'all.

Command Sequence

Command: RECTANG
Specify outset corner point or [Chamfer/Meridian/Fillet/Thickness/Width]: (pick P1)
Specify other corner point or [Dimensions]: (choice P2)

The Rectangle command also has a number of options. Width works in the aforementioned fashion equally for the Polyline control. The Chamfer and Fillet options take the same effect as the Chamfer and Fillet commands, encounter the Modifying Objects tutorial for details. Elevation and Thickness are 3D options.

Notice that, instead of picking a second point to draw the rectangle, you accept the option of entering dimensions. Say you wanted to draw a rectangle 20 drawing units long and x cartoon units broad. The control sequence would look like this:

Command Sequence

Control: RECTANG
Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Pinnacle/Fillet/Thickness/Width]: (selection a indicate)
Specify other corner indicate or [Dimensions]: D
Specify length for rectangles <0.0000>: 20
Specify width for rectangles <0.0000>: x
Specify other corner point or [Dimensions]: (pick a point to fix the orientation)

This method provides a good alternative to using relative cartesian co-ordinates for determining length and width. Meet the Using Co-ordinates tutorial for more details.

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The Polygon Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-down	DrawPolygon
Keyboard	POLYGON	short-cut	Politico

The Polygon command can exist used to draw whatsoever regular polygon from 3 sides up to 1024 sides. This command requires four inputs from the user, the number of sides, a selection indicate for the centre of the polygon, whether you lot want the polygon inscribed or confining and then a option point which determines both the radius of this imaginary circle and the orientation of the polygon. The polygon command creates a closed polyline in the shape of the required polygon.

This command as well allows you lot to define the polygon by entering the length of a side using the Edge option. You can also control the size of the polygon by inbound an exact radius for the circle. Follow the command sequence below to see how this command works.

Command Sequence

Command: POLYGON
Enter number of sides <4>: v
Specify eye of polygon or [Edge]: (pick P1 or type Due east to ascertain by edge length)
Enter an option [Inscribed in circle/Circumscribed about circle] <I>: (to accept the inscribed default or type C for circumscribed)
Specify radius of circle: (selection P2 or enter verbal radius)

In the illustration in a higher place, the polygon on the left is inscribed (inside the circle with the polygon vertexes touching it), the 1 in the middle is circumscribed (exterior the circle with the polyline edges tangential to information technology) and the one on the correct is divers by the length of an edge.

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The Donut Command

Toolbar	custom
Pull-down	DrawDonut
Keyboard	DONUT	brusk-cutting	Practice

This control draws a solid donut shape, actually it's but a closed polyline consisting of two arc segments which have been given a width. AutoCAD asks you to ascertain the inside diameter i.east. the diameter of the pigsty and then the outside bore of the donut. The donut is then drawn in outline and you are asked to option the middle signal in club to position the donut. Yous can continue picking centre points to describe more donuts or y'all can hitting to end the command. Surprisingly, donuts are constructed from single airtight polylines composed of two arc segments which have been given a width. Fortunately AutoCAD works all this out for you lot, and so all y'all run into is a donut.

Command Sequence

Command: DONUT
Specify inside diameter of donut <0.5000>: (pick any 2 points to define a diameter or enter the verbal length)
Specify exterior diameter of donut <ane.0000>: (pick any two points to define a bore or enter the exact length)
Specify heart of donut or <leave>: (pick P1)
Specify eye of donut or <exit>: (to end or go along to selection for more than doughnuts)

As an culling to picking ii points or entering a value for the diameters, you could just hit to accept the default value. Almost AutoCAD commands that require user input have default values. They e'er appear in triangular brackets like this <default value>.

Curiously enough AutoCAD doesn't seem to heed if you brand the inside diameter of a donut larger than the outside diameter, try information technology and meet.

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The Revcloud Command

The Revcloud command is used to draw a "freehand" revision cloud or to catechumen any closed shape into a revision cloud.

Command Sequence

Control: REVCLOUD
Minimum arc length: 66.6377 Maximum arc length: 116.6159
Specify offset point or [Arc length/Object] <Object>: (Pick P1)
Guide crosshairs along deject path...
Move the mouse to form a airtight shape; the control automatically ends when a closed shape is formed.
Revision deject finished.

You can use the "Arc length" option to control the scale of the revision deject. This is achieved by specifying the minimum and maximum arc length. The "Object" option is used to transform any airtight shape, such as a polyline, spline or circle into a revision cloud.

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The 3D Polyline Command

Toolbar	custom
Pull-downwards	Draw3D Polyline
Keyboard	3DPOLY

The 3D Polyline command works in exactly the aforementioned way as the Polyline control. The main difference between a normal polyline and a 3D polyline is that each vertex (pick point) of a 3D polyline tin accept a unlike value for Z (height). In normal (second) polylines, all vertexes must have the aforementioned Z value.

3D polyline objects are not as complex equally their 2D cousins. For example, they cannot incorporate arc segments and they cannot exist given widths. However, they tin can be very useful for 3D modeling.

Command Sequence

Control: 3DPOLY
Specify start point of polyline: (pick a bespeak)
Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: (pick another bespeak)
Specify endpoint of line or [Disengage]: (pick a third bespeak)
Specify endpoint of line or [Close/Undo]: (to finish, C to close or go on picking points)

Detect that yous are non prompted for a Z value each time you pick a point. You lot must either use one of the Object Snaps to pick a point with the required Z value or use the ".XY" filter to force AutoCAD to prompt for a Z value.

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Circles, Arcs etc.

Along with Line and Polyline, the Circle command is probably 1 of the most frequently used. Fortunately it is too ane of the simplest. However, in common with the other commands in this section there are a number of options that tin help you lot construct just the circle you need. Most of these options are self explanatory but in some cases information technology tin can be quite confusing. The Circle command, for case, offers 6 means to create a circle, while the Arc command offers ten different methods for drawing an arc. The sections below concentrate mainly on the default options but experience free to experiment.

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The Circle Control

Toolbar	Describe
Pull-downward	DrawCircleCenter, Radius
Keyboard	Circumvolve	short-cut	C

The Circle command is used to depict circles. There are a number of ways you can define the circle. The default method is to pick the centre point so to either selection a second bespeak on the circumference of the circle or enter the circle radius at the keyboard.

Control Sequence

Command: Circle
Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: (pick P1)
Specify radius of circle or [Diameter] <fifty.0195>: (option P2 or enter the verbal radius)

As you can run into from the command prompt above the default options are always indicated in triangular brackets like so <Default> and control options appear within square brackets like so [Option]. Each option is separated by a forward slash like this /. You can choose to use the alternative options by typing them at the prompt. For example, the circle command gives you 3 extra options to ascertain a circle. 3P which uses any three points on the circumference, 2P which uses two points on the circumference to form a bore and Ttr which stands for Tangent Tangent Radius. Obviously to use this last option you need to have drawn two lines which you can utilize every bit tangents to the circle. Try these options out to see how they piece of work. Annotation that to invoke a command option, you demand only type the upper-case office of the option name. For example, if you want to use the Ttr option, you need just enter "T". There are two more circle options on the pull-down menu that enable you lot to draw a circle by defining the center and diameter or past using 3 tangents.

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The Arc Command

Toolbar	Depict
Pull-down	DescribeArc3 Points
Keyboard	ARC	brusk-cut	A

The Arc command allows you to describe an arc of a circumvolve. There are numerous means to define an arc, the default method uses three pick points, a offset point, a second signal and an stop indicate. Using this method, the drawn arc will first at the outset pick bespeak, pass through the second indicate and end at the third point. Once you have mastered the default method endeavour some of the others. You may, for example demand to draw an arc with a specific radius. All of the Arc command options are available from the pull-down menu.

Command Sequence

Command: ARC
Specify start point of arc or [Center]: (choice P1)
Specify second betoken of arc or [Center/Stop]: (selection P2)
Specify end signal of arc: (pick P3)

It is also possible to create an arc past trimming a circle object. In practice, many arcs are actually created this way. Meet the Trim command on the Modifying Objects tutorial for details.

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The Spline Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-down	DrawSpline
Keyboard	SPLINE	curt-cut	SPL

The Spline control creates a blazon of spline known as a nonuniform rational B-spline, NURBS for brusque. A spline is a smooth curve that is fitted along a number of command points. The Fit Tolerance option can exist used to control how closely the spline conforms to the control points. A low tolerance value causes the spline to form close to the control points. A tolerance of 0 (zero) forces the spline to pass through the control points. The analogy on the correct shows the effect of different tolerance values on a spline that is divers using the aforementioned four control points, P1, P2, P3 and P4.

Splines tin be edited after they accept been created using the SPLINEDIT control, from the pull-downwardly menu. Using this control, you can change the tolerance, add together more control points move control points and close splines, amongst other things. Notwithstanding, if you but want to move spline control points, it is best to use grips. See the Stretching with Grips section of the Modifying Objects tutorial for details.

Command Sequence

Command: SPLINE
Specify get-go bespeak or [Object]: (Option P1)
Specify adjacent point: (Pick P2)
Specify next point or [Close/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>: (Pick P3)
Specify next betoken or [Close/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>: (Pick P4)
Specify next signal or [Close/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>:
Specify start tangent: (choice a signal)
Specify stop tangent: (pick a point)

You tin can create linear approximations to splines past smoothing polylines with the PEDIT command, from the pull-down menu. However, yous can besides plow polylines into truthful splines using the Object option of the Spline command.

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The Ellipse Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-down	DrawEllipseAxis, End
Keyboard	ELLIPSE	short-cut	EL

The Ellipse command gives you a number of different cosmos options. The default option is to choice the two end points of an axis and and so a tertiary point to define the eccentricity of the ellipse. After you have mastered the default pick, try out the others.

Command Sequence

Control: ELLIPSE
Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center]: (pick P1)
Specify other endpoint of axis: (selection P2)
Specify distance to other centrality or [Rotation]: (choice P3)

The ellipse control tin also be used to draw isometric circles. See the worked case in the Cartoon Aids tutorial to notice out how to do this and how to describe in isometric project with AutoCAD.

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The Ellipse Arc Control

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-down	DrawEllipseArc
Keyboard	ELLIPSE A	curt-cutting	EL A

The Ellipse Arc command is very similar to the Ellipse command, described above. The only difference is that, in improver to specifying the ii centrality end points and the "distance to other axis" point, you are prompted for a start and end angle for the arc. You may specify angles by picking points or by entering values at the command prompt. Call back that angles are measured in an anti-clockwise direction, starting at the 3 o'clock position.

In truth, the Ellipse Arc command is not a new or split up command; information technology is just an option of the Ellipse command and it therefore has no unique command line name. It is curious why Autodesk considered this option important enough to give it it'due south own push button on the Draw toolbar. Still, there information technology is.

Command Sequence

Command: ELLIPSE
Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center]: A
Specify axis endpoint of elliptical arc or [Middle]: (selection P1)
Specify other endpoint of centrality: (pick P2)
Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]: (pick P3)
Specify outset bending or [Parameter]: 270
Specify stop angle or [Parameter/Included angle]: ninety

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The Region Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-downward	DrawRegion
Keyboard	REGION	brusque-cut	REG

A region is a surface created from objects that form a closed shape, known as a loop. The Region command is used to transform objects into regions rather than really drawing them (i.east. yous will need to describe the closed shape or loop outset). In one case a region is created, in that location may be little visual departure to the drawing. However, if you set the shade fashion to "Flat Shaded", , y'all volition see that the region is, in fact, a surface and not simply an outline. Regions are particularly useful in 3D modeling because they tin can be extruded.

Before starting the Region control, depict a closed shape such as a rectangle, circle or any closed polyline or spline.

Command Sequence

Command: REGION
Select objects: (Pick P1)
Select objects:
one loop extracted.
1 Region created.

You lot can use the boolean commands, Union, Subtract and Intersect to create complex regions.

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The Wipeout Command

Toolbar	custom
Pull-down	DepictWipeout
Keyboard	WIPEOUT

A Wipeout is an image type object. Most commonly it is used to "mask" part of a drawing for clarity. For example, you lot may want to add together text to a complicated part of a drawing. A Wipeout could be used to mask an surface area behind some text then that the text tin easily be read, as in the example shown on the right.

The Wipeout command can be used for three different operations. It can be used to draw a wipeout object, as you might expect, but it can also be used to catechumen an existing closed polyline into a wipeout and it tin can exist used to control the visibility of wipeout frames.

Command Sequence

Command: WIPEOUT
Specify first point or [Frames/Polyline] <Polyline>: (Pick P1)
Specify next betoken: (Option P2)
Specify next point or [Undo]: (Pick P3)
Specify next betoken or [Close/Undo]: (Choice P4)
Specify next point or [Close/Disengage]:

You can utilize as many points as you wish in lodge to create the shape y'all need. When you take picked the last point, apply right-click and Enter (or hit the Enter key on the keyboard) to complete the command and create the wipeout.

Yous may find that information technology is easier to depict a polyline kickoff and so convert that polyline into a wipeout. To practise this, start the Wipeout control and then Enter to select the default "Polyline" option. Select the polyline when prompted to do so. Remember, polylines must exist closed earlier they can be converted to wipeouts.

In well-nigh cases, you will probably want to turn off the wipeout frame.

Command Sequence

Specify first point or [Frames/Polyline] <Polyline>: F (the Frames option)
Enter manner [ON/OFF] <ON>: OFF
Regenerating model.

The Frames option is used to turn frames off (or on) for all wipeouts in the current drawing. You cannot control the visibility of wipeout frames individually. You should as well be aware that when frames are turned off, wipeouts cannot exist selected. If yous demand to move or modify a wipeout, you need to accept frames turned on.

It is often more convenient to depict the wipeout subsequently the text so that you can see how much infinite y'all demand. In such a case, yous may need to apply the DRAWORDER command () to force the text to appear above the wipeout.

Tip: If you have the Express Tools loaded, you can utilize the very useful TEXTMASK command, which automatically creates a wipeout below whatever selected text. Notice it on your pull-downward at

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Points and Point Styles

Points are very unproblematic objects and the procedure of creating them is also very uncomplicated. Points are rarely used every bit cartoon components although there is no reason why they could not be. They are usually used just as cartoon aids in a similar way that Structure Lines and Rays are used. For instance, points are automatically created when y'all use the Measure and Separate commands to gear up out distances forth a line.

When adding points to a drawing it is ordinarily desirable to set the point way starting time because the default style tin can be difficult to see.

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The Signal Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-downwardly	DrawPointSingle Point
Keyboard	POINT	short-cut	PO

The signal control will insert a betoken marker in your drawing at a position which you pick in the drawing window or at whatever co-ordinate location which you enter at the keyboard. The default point manner is a simple dot, which is frequently difficult to see but you lot tin can alter the signal style to something more hands visible or elaborate using the signal style dialogue box. Points can be used for "setting out" a drawing in add-on to construction lines. You can Snap to points using the Node object snap. Run into the Object Snap tutorial for details.

Control Sequence

Command: Signal
Current betoken modes: PDMODE=0 PDSIZE=0.0000
Specify a point: (pick whatsoever point)

Strangely, in Multiple Point mode (the default for the Point button on the Draw toolbar) y'all volition demand to utilize the escape primal (Esc) on your keyboard to end the command. The usual correct-click or enter doesn't piece of work.

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The Point Style Command

Toolbar	none
Pull-downwards	FormatBespeak Style…
Keyboard	DDPTYPE

You can kickoff the indicate fashion command from the keyboard by typing DDPTYPE or you can start it from the pull-downward menu at The control starts by displaying a dialogue box offering a number of options.

To change the point style, just pick the picture of the way y'all want and then click the "OK" button. You lot will need to use the Regen command, REGEN at the keyboard or from the pull-down to force any existing points in your drawing to display in the new fashion. Whatsoever new points created after the manner has been set will automatically display in the new fashion.

Ane interesting aspect of points is that their size can exist prepare to an absolute value or relative to the screen size, expressed equally a percentage. The default is for points to display relative to the screen size, which is very useful considering it means that points will remain the same size, irrespective of zoom factor. This is peculiarly convenient when drawings get complex and the drawing process requires a lot of zooming in and out.

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Multilines

Multilines are complex lines that consist of between 1 and xvi parallel lines, known equally elements. The default multiline style has merely 2 elements but you tin create boosted styles of an almost endless variety. The Multiline Style command enables you to create new multiline styles by adding line elements, changing the colour and linetype of elements, calculation end caps and the option of displaying every bit a solid colour.

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The Multiline Command

Toolbar	custom
Pull-downwardly	DrawMultiline
Keyboard	MLINE	brusque-cutting	ML

The Multiline control is used to draw multilines. This procedure of drawing is pretty much the same equally drawing polylines, additional line segments are added to the multiline as points are picked. As with polylines, points can be unpicked with the Undo selection and multilines tin can be closed.

When you showtime the Multiline control you too have the option to specify the Justification, Scale and Fashion of the multiline. The Justification pick allows you to set the justification to "Height", the default, "Zero" or "Bottom". When justification is set up to top, the top of the multiline is drawn through the pick points, as in the illustration below. Nix justification draws the centreline of the multiline through the choice points and Bottom draws the lesser line through the pick points. Justification allows you to control how the multiline is drawn relative to your setting out information. For example, if y'all are cartoon a new road with reference to its centre line, then Zero justification would be advisable.

The Scale option allows y'all to set a calibration gene, which effectively changes the width of the multiline. The default calibration factor is set to 1.0 so to half the width of the multiline, a value of 0.5 would be entered. A value of 2.0 would double the width.

The Fashion option enables yous to set the current multiline style. The default style is called "Standard". This is the only style available unless you accept previously created a new mode with the Multiline Fashion command. Follow the command sequence below to run into how the Multiline command works and and then endeavour changing the Justification and Scale options.

Command Sequence

Control: MLINE
Current settings: Justification = Top, Scale = xx.00, Fashion = STANDARD
Specify start indicate or [Justification/Calibration/Manner]: (Pick P1)
Specify adjacent point: (Choice P2)
Specify next point or [Disengage]: (Pick P3)
Specify side by side point or [Close/Undo]: (to finish or go on picking or C to close)

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The Multiline Style Command

Toolbar	none
Pull-downwards	FormatMultiline Manner…
Keyboard	MLSTYLE

The Multiline way command is used to create new multiline styles, which can so be used with the Multiline command. When you kickoff the control for the first time, you will encounter the Multiline Styles dialogue box indicating that the Standard fashion is "Current". To create a new style, enter a new mode name in the "Name" edit box by overwriting "STANDARD" and enter an optional clarification in the "Description" edit box. The dialogue box should now look something similar the one on the right. When you are happy with the new proper name and description, simply click on the "Add" button. Your new fashion volition now appear in the "Current" box. The new style you have created is simply a re-create of the Standard style, so the side by side step is to modify the style to adapt your own purposes. Click on the "Element Properties…" push button to proceed.

Yous will at present see the Chemical element Properties dialogue box appear. This dialogue box allows you to add together new line elements or delete existing ones and to control the element start, colour and linetype. Click the "Add" button to add a new element. A new line element at present appears with an offset of 0.0, in other words, this is a eye line. Highlight the top element in the "Elements" list and change the get-go to one.0 past entering this value in the "Kickoff" edit box. Now do the same with the bottom element remembering to enter a value of -1.0 because this is a negative offset. You now have a multiline that is two drawing units wide with a centre line. Allow's now change the colour and linetype of the middle line.

Highlight the 0.0 first element by clicking it in the "Elements" listing. To change the color, merely click on the Colour… button and select an appropriate color from the palette. When a colour has been selected, click the "OK" push button on the palette to return to the Element Properties dialogue box.

Changing the linetype is a picayune more complicated considering nosotros will need to load the required linetype first. However, click on the "Linetype…" button to proceed.

The Select Linetype dialogue box appears with only a few solid linetypes listed, ByLayer, ByBlock and Continuous. Click on the "Load…" button. The Load or Reload Linetypes dialogue box now appears. Scroll downward the list of linetypes until y'all notice one chosen "Hidden". Highlight Hidden and then click the "OK" button. You lot will at present come across the Hidden linetype appear in the "Loaded linetypes" list in the Select Linetype dialogue box, which should at present look like to the one shown higher up. Finally, highlight Hidden and click the "OK" push button. Your Chemical element Properties dialogue box should now look like to the one in the illustration above. To complete our new style, we will add together some end caps and a solid fill. Click on the "Multiline Properties…" button to proceed.

In the Multiline Properties dialogue box, click in the "Line" check boxes under "Commencement" and "End". This will have the result of capping the ends of the multiline with a xc degree line. As you can see from the dialogue box, you can change this angle if you lot wish to give a chamfered end. Next, click the "On" cheque box in the "Fill" section and then click on the Colour… button and select the fill colour from the palette. The Multiline Properties dialogue box should now expect like the one in the illustration on the left. Finally, click the "OK" button in the Multiline Properties dialogue box and again in the Multiline Manner dialogue box. You lot are now ready to draw with your new multiline.

Beginning the Multiline command, selection a number of points and admire your handiwork. If you accept followed this tutorial closely, your new multiline should look something similar the i in the illustration on the right. Notice the effect of the various changes you lot take made compared with the Standard multiline fashion.

I limitation of multiline styles is that yous cannot modify a style if in that location are multilines referencing the fashion in the electric current drawing. This is a shame because it means that it is not possible to update multiline styles in the same way equally it is possible to update text or dimension styles. You also cannot change the fashion of an existing multiline. If y'all really desire to alter a multiline style, you will have to erase all multilines that reference the fashion first.

If you are new to AutoCAD, the whole process of working with multilines and creating multiline styles may appear a footling bewildering considering it touches upon a number of aspects of the programme with which you lot may not be familiar. If this is the case, it may be a good thought to return to this tutorial in the future. Multilines are useful because they can save lots of time but their apply is fairly specific and you should think carefully before using them. It may, for example, be more convenient simply to describe a polyline and to create offsets using the Offset command.

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Tips & Tricks

Command Sequence

Command: LINE
Specify first point: (option P1)
Specify adjacent signal or [Disengage]: (pick P2)
Specify adjacent point or [Undo]: (right-click and select Enter)
Command: (right-click and select Repeat Line)
Specify outset point: (selection P1)
Specify next bespeak or [Undo]: (pick P2)
Specify adjacent indicate or [Undo]: (right-click and select Enter)
Control: (right-click and select Repeat Line)…

Yous could keep this cycle as long equally you needed, using merely the mouse for input.

• You can change the Linetype of any of the objects created in the higher up tutorial. By default all lines are drawn with a linetype called "Continuous". This displays as a solid line. Still, lines can be displayed with a dash, dash-dot and a whole range of variations. Run into the Object Properties tutorial for details.

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