autocad lt make 2d from 3d drawing

Drawing Objects

Introduction

This tutorial is designed to show you how all of the AutoCAD Draw commands work. If you lot just need information apace, use the QuickFind toolbar below to go straight to the control you desire or select a topic from the contents list above. 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 right!

The Draw commands can exist used to create new objects such every bit lines and circles. Nearly AutoCAD drawings are composed purely and simply from these basic components. A good understanding of the Depict commands is primal to the efficient use of AutoCAD.

The sections beneath cover the virtually oft used Draw commands such every bit Line, Polyline and Circle as well as the more advanced commands like Multiline and Multiline Style. Every bit a newcomer to AutoCAD, you may wish to skip the more advanced commands in order to properly master the basics. You can e'er render to this tutorial in the hereafter when yous are more confident.

In common with most AutoCAD commands, the Draw commands can be started in a number of means. Command names or brusk-cuts can be entered at the keyboard, commands can be started from the Draw pull-downwardly menu, shown on the right or from the Draw toolbar. The method you use is dependent upon the blazon of piece of work you are doing and how experienced a user you are. Don't worry too much most this, only use whatever method feels easiest or most convenient at the time. Your drawing technique will improve over time and with experience so don't look to be working very quickly at first.

If y'all are working with the pull-downward menus, information technology is worth because the visual syntax that is mutual to all pull-downs used in the Windows operating system. For example, a small arrow like and so "" next to a carte item means that the detail leads to a sub-card that may contain other commands or command options. An ellipsis, "…" after a menu item means that the particular displays a dialogue box. These little visual clues will help you to work more effectively with menus considering they tell you what to expect and help to avoid surprises for the newcomer.

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Lines

Lines are probably the about simple of AutoCAD objects. Using the Line command, a line tin can be fatigued betwixt whatsoever two points picked within the drawing area. Lines are usually the commencement objects you volition want to draw when starting a new cartoon because they can be used as "construction lines" upon which the rest of your drawing volition be based. Never forget that creating drawings with AutoCAD is not so dissimilar from creating drawings on a cartoon board. Many of the basic cartoon methods are the same.

Anyone familiar with mathematics volition know that lines drawn between points are often called vectors. This terminology is used to describe the type of drawings that AutoCAD creates. AutoCAD drawings are generically referred to as "vector drawings". Vector drawings are extremely useful where precision is the most important benchmark because they retain their accuracy irrespective of scale.

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The Line Command

Toolbar	Describe
Pull-downwards	DrawLine
Keyboard	LINE	short-cutting	Fifty

With the Line command you tin depict a simple line from one indicate to another. When you lot pick the first signal and move the cantankerous-hairs to the location of the second bespeak you will come across a rubber ring line which shows you where the line will be drawn when the second signal is picked. Line objects take two ends (the first point and the last bespeak). You can continue picking points and AutoCAD volition draw a straight line betwixt each picked indicate and the previous point. Each line segment fatigued is a separate object and tin exist moved or erased as required. To finish this command, simply hitting the key on the keyboard.

Command Sequence

Control: LINE
Specify offset point: (pick P1)
Specify adjacent point or [Undo]: (option P2)
Specify next indicate or [Undo]: (to terminate)

You can also draw lines past entering the co-ordinates of their end 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 tin besides draw lines using something chosen straight distance entry. Encounter the Directly Distance Entry tutorial for details.

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The Construction Line Command

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

The Construction Line command creates a line of infinite length which passes through 2 picked points. Construction lines are very useful for creating construction frameworks or grids within which to blueprint.

Structure lines are not commonly used as objects in finished drawings, it is usual, therefore, to depict all your structure lines on a separate layer which will be turned off or frozen prior to printing. Run across the Object Properties tutorial to detect out how to create new layers. Because of their nature, the Zoom Extents command option ignores construction lines.

Control Sequence

Command: XLINE
Specify a point or [Hor/Ver/Ang/Bifurcate/Offset]: (selection a signal)
Specify through point: (pick a 2nd point)
Specify through point: (to cease or pick another signal)

You may notice that there are a number of options with this command. For example, the "Hor" and "Ver" options can exist used to depict construction lines that are truly horizontal or vertical. In both these cases, but a unmarried option point is required because the management of the line is predetermined. To use a command pick, simply enter the capitalised part of the option proper noun at the command prompt. Follow the command sequence below to run across how you would draw a construction line using the Horizontal option.

Control Sequence

Command: XLINE
Hor/Ver/Ang/Bisect/Outset/<From point>: H
Through point: (pick a point to position the line)
Through bespeak: (to end or option a bespeak for another horizontal line)

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The Ray Control

The Ray control creates a line similar to a structure line except that it extends infinitely in only 1 direction from the commencement pick indicate. The management of the Ray is determined by the position of the 2nd pick indicate.

Command Sequence

Control: RAY
Specify start point: (selection the first betoken)
Specify through point: (option a 2nd bespeak to determine management)
Specify through point: (to end or pick another betoken)

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The Polyline Family

Polylines differ from lines in that they are more complex objects. A single polyline tin exist composed of a number of straight-line or arc segments. Polylines tin can likewise be given line widths to make them appear solid. The illustration below shows a number of polylines to give you an idea of the flexibility of this blazon of line.

Yous may exist wondering, if Polylines are and then useful, why bother using ordinary lines at all? There are a number of answers to this question. The most frequently given respond is that because of their complication, polylines use up more than disk infinite than the equivalent line. As information technology is desirable to proceed file sizes as small-scale every bit possible, information technology is a good idea to use lines rather than polylines unless you have a particular requirement. You will also find, as you work with AutoCAD that lines and polylines are operationally unlike. Sometimes it is easier to piece of work with polylines for certain tasks and at other times lines are best. You volition chop-chop learn the pros and cons of these two sorts of line when yous brainstorm drawing with AutoCAD.

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The Polyline Command

Toolbar	Describe
Pull-down	DrawPolyline
Keyboard	PLINE	brusque-cut	PL

The Polyline or Pline command is similar to the line command except that the resulting object may be composed of a number of segments which form a single object. In improver 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 allowing y'all to pick equally many points as you like. Again, just hit to end. As with the Line command, you also take the option to automatically shut a polyline cease to end. To do this, type C to use the close option instead of hitting . Follow the command sequence below to see how this works.

Command Sequence

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

In the illustration on the right, the figure on the left was created by hitting the key after the fifth betoken was picked. The figure on the right demonstrates the effect of using the Shut option.

It is worth while taking some time to familiarise yourself with the Polyline command equally it is an extremely useful command to know. Try experimenting with options such as Arc and Width and see if you tin create polylines like the ones in the illustration above. The Undo choice is particularly useful. This allows y'all to unpick polyline vertices, one at a time so that you can easily correct mistakes.

Polylines can be edited afterward they are created to, for example, alter their width. Y'all can do this using the PEDIT command, from the pull-down menu.

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The Rectangle Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-down	DrawRectangle
Keyboard	RECTANGLE	short-cuts	REC, RECTANG

The Rectangle command is used to draw a rectangle whose sides are vertical and horizontal. The position and size of the rectangle are defined by picking 2 diagonal corners. The rectangle isn't actually an AutoCAD object at all. It is, in fact, just a closed polyline which is automatically drawn for you.

Command Sequence

Control: RECTANG
Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]: (choice P1)
Specify other corner signal or [Dimensions]: (choice P2)

The Rectangle control also has a number of options. Width works in the same way as for the Polyline control. The Chamfer and Fillet options accept the same effect as the Chamfer and Fillet commands, see the Modifying Objects tutorial for details. Meridian and Thickness are 3D options.

Discover that, instead of picking a second bespeak to draw the rectangle, you have the selection of entering dimensions. Say you wanted to draw a rectangle 20 cartoon units long and 10 drawing units wide. The command sequence would look like this:

Command Sequence

Command: RECTANG
Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]: (pick a point)
Specify other corner point or [Dimensions]: D
Specify length for rectangles <0.0000>: twenty
Specify width for rectangles <0.0000>: 10
Specify other corner point or [Dimensions]: (pick a betoken to ready the orientation)

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

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The Polygon Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-down	DepictPolygon
Keyboard	POLYGON	brusk-cutting	POL

The Polygon control can be used to draw any regular polygon from iii sides up to 1024 sides. This command requires four inputs from the user, the number of sides, a pick point for the middle of the polygon, whether yous desire the polygon inscribed or circumscribed and then a pick 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 control also allows you to ascertain the polygon by entering the length of a side using the Edge selection. You can also control the size of the polygon by entering an verbal radius for the circle. Follow the command sequence below to see how this command works.

Control Sequence

Command: POLYGON
Enter number of sides <4>: 5
Specify eye of polygon or [Edge]: (pick P1 or blazon E to define by edge length)
Enter an option [Inscribed in circle/Confining nigh circumvolve] <I>: (to accept the inscribed default or type C for circumscribed)
Specify radius of circle: (pick P2 or enter verbal radius)

In the analogy higher up, the polygon on the left is inscribed (inside the circle with the polygon vertexes touching information technology), the ane in the center is confining (exterior the circle with the polyline edges tangential to it) and the one on the correct is defined by the length of an edge.

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The Donut Command

Toolbar	custom
Pull-down	DrawDonut
Keyboard	DONUT	short-cut	Do

This command draws a solid donut shape, actually it's just a closed polyline consisting of two arc segments which take been given a width. AutoCAD asks you to define the inside diameter i.e. the diameter of the hole then the exterior diameter of the donut. The donut is then drawn in outline and you are asked to pick the centre point in order to position the donut. You tin can continue picking centre points to draw more donuts or you can hitting to terminate the command. Surprisingly, donuts are constructed from single closed polylines equanimous of two arc segments which have been given a width. Fortunately AutoCAD works all this out for you, and so all you see is a donut.

Command Sequence

Command: DONUT
Specify inside diameter of donut <0.5000>: (pick any two points to ascertain a diameter or enter the exact length)
Specify outside diameter of donut <1.0000>: (option whatsoever two points to define a diameter or enter the exact length)
Specify center of donut or <exit>: (pick P1)
Specify heart of donut or <leave>: (to cease or continue to pick for more doughnuts)

As an alternative to picking two points or entering a value for the diameters, you could merely hit to accept the default value. Near AutoCAD commands that require user input have default values. They always appear in triangular brackets similar this <default value>.

Curiously enough AutoCAD doesn't seem to heed if you make the inside diameter of a donut larger than the outside diameter, effort it and encounter.

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The Revcloud Control

The Revcloud command is used to draw a "freehand" revision deject or to convert any airtight shape into a revision cloud.

Control Sequence

Command: REVCLOUD
Minimum arc length: 66.6377 Maximum arc length: 116.6159
Specify beginning point or [Arc length/Object] <Object>: (Choice P1)
Guide crosshairs along cloud path...
Move the mouse to course a closed shape; the command automatically ends when a airtight shape is formed.
Revision cloud finished.

You tin can utilize 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 closed shape, such as a polyline, spline or circle into a revision cloud.

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The 3D Polyline Command

Toolbar	custom
Pull-down	Draw3D Polyline
Keyboard	3DPOLY

The 3D Polyline command works in exactly the same fashion equally the Polyline command. The main difference between a normal polyline and a 3D polyline is that each vertex (choice indicate) of a 3D polyline can take a unlike value for Z (top). In normal (2D) polylines, all vertexes must take the same Z value.

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

Command Sequence

Control: 3DPOLY
Specify start point of polyline: (pick a point)
Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: (option another point)
Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: (selection a 3rd betoken)
Specify endpoint of line or [Close/Disengage]: (to end, C to close or continue picking points)

Notice that you are not prompted for a Z value each fourth dimension you lot pick a point. You lot must either use i of the Object Snaps to pick a point with the required Z value or utilise the ".XY" filter to forcefulness AutoCAD to prompt for a Z value.

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Circles, Arcs etc.

Along with Line and Polyline, the Circle control is probably i of the most frequently used. Fortunately it is also one of the simplest. However, in mutual with the other commands in this section there are a number of options that can help you construct just the circle you demand. Almost of these options are cocky explanatory but in some cases it tin be quite confusing. The Circle command, for example, offers 6 ways to create a circumvolve, while the Arc command offers 10 different methods for drawing an arc. The sections below concentrate mainly on the default options simply feel free to experiment.

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The Circle Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-downwards	DrawCircleCenter, Radius
Keyboard	Circumvolve	short-cutting	C

The Circle command is used to describe circles. There are a number of ways you can define the circumvolve. The default method is to pick the heart point and then to either choice a second indicate on the circumference of the circle or enter the circle radius at the keyboard.

Control Sequence

Command: CIRCLE
Specify middle point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: (pick P1)
Specify radius of circle or [Diameter] <l.0195>: (choice P2 or enter the verbal radius)

As you lot can see from the command prompt above the default options are always indicated in triangular brackets like and so <Default> and control options appear within square brackets like so [Choice]. Each option is separated by a forrad slash like this /. You tin choose to use the alternative options by typing them at the prompt. For case, the circle command gives you lot iii extra options to define a circumvolve. 3P which uses any three points on the circumference, 2P which uses two points on the circumference to form a diameter and Ttr which stands for Tangent Tangent Radius. Obviously to use this concluding option you need to have drawn two lines which yous tin apply equally tangents to the circle. Try these options out to see how they work. Note that to invoke a command option, you need only type the upper-case role of the option name. For example, if you want to utilise the Ttr option, you demand simply enter "T". There are two more circumvolve options on the pull-down menu that enable you lot to describe a circle by defining the center and bore or past using three tangents.

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The Arc Command

Toolbar	Describe
Pull-down	DrawArcthree Points
Keyboard	ARC	brusk-cutting	A

The Arc command allows you to draw an arc of a circumvolve. There are numerous ways to define an arc, the default method uses three pick points, a start indicate, a 2d signal and an end signal. Using this method, the drawn arc will kickoff at the first pick point, laissez passer through the second point and cease at the third betoken. Once you have mastered the default method try some of the others. You lot may, for example need to draw an arc with a specific radius. All of the Arc command options are bachelor from the pull-down menu.

Control Sequence

Control: ARC
Specify outset point of arc or [Center]: (selection P1)
Specify second point of arc or [Center/Finish]: (pick P2)
Specify stop signal of arc: (pick P3)

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

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The Spline Command

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-downward	DepictSpline
Keyboard	SPLINE	brusque-cut	SPL

The Spline command creates a blazon of spline known equally a nonuniform rational B-spline, NURBS for short. A spline is a smooth curve that is fitted along a number of control points. The Fit Tolerance selection can be used to control how closely the spline conforms to the control points. A depression tolerance value causes the spline to course close to the control points. A tolerance of 0 (zero) forces the spline to pass through the control points. The illustration on the right shows the upshot of different tolerance values on a spline that is defined using the same four control points, P1, P2, P3 and P4.

Splines can be edited afterward they have been created using the SPLINEDIT command, from the pull-down bill of fare. Using this command, you can change the tolerance, add more control points move control points and shut splines, amongst other things. However, if you just desire to move spline control points, it is best to use grips. Meet the Stretching with Grips section of the Modifying Objects tutorial for details.

Command Sequence

Command: SPLINE
Specify start point or [Object]: (Pick P1)
Specify next point: (Pick P2)
Specify next betoken or [Shut/Fit tolerance] <offset tangent>: (Pick P3)
Specify side by side point or [Close/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>: (Pick P4)
Specify adjacent betoken or [Shut/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>:
Specify starting time tangent: (pick a point)
Specify end tangent: (pick a point)

Y'all can create linear approximations to splines by smoothing polylines with the PEDIT control, from the pull-down bill of fare. Yet, y'all can also turn polylines into true splines using the Object option of the Spline command.

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The Ellipse Control

Toolbar	Draw
Pull-down	DepictEllipseCentrality, End
Keyboard	ELLIPSE	short-cutting	EL

The Ellipse command gives you a number of different creation options. The default choice is to pick the two end points of an axis and then a third bespeak to define the eccentricity of the ellipse. Later yous have mastered the default selection, try out the others.

Command Sequence

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

The ellipse command tin can also be used to depict isometric circles. See the worked example in the Drawing Aids tutorial to find out how to do this and how to depict in isometric project with AutoCAD.

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The Ellipse Arc Command

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

The Ellipse Arc command is very similar to the Ellipse command, described above. The only difference is that, in addition to specifying the two axis end points and the "distance to other axis" bespeak, you lot are prompted for a showtime and end angle for the arc. Y'all may specify angles by picking points or past entering values at the command prompt. Retrieve that angles are measured in an anti-clockwise management, starting at the 3 o'clock position.

In truth, the Ellipse Arc control is not a new or divide command; it is merely an choice of the Ellipse command and it therefore has no unique control line name. It is curious why Autodesk considered this option important enough to give information technology it's own button on the Depict toolbar. Still, there information technology is.

Command Sequence

Control: ELLIPSE
Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center]: A
Specify axis endpoint of elliptical arc or [Center]: (pick P1)
Specify other endpoint of axis: (pick P2)
Specify distance to other centrality or [Rotation]: (pick P3)
Specify kickoff bending or [Parameter]: 270
Specify terminate bending or [Parameter/Included angle]: 90

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The Region Command

Toolbar	Depict
Pull-downwardly	DrawRegion
Keyboard	REGION	short-cut	REG

A region is a surface created from objects that form a closed shape, known every bit a loop. The Region command is used to transform objects into regions rather than really drawing them (i.e. you will demand to describe the closed shape or loop outset). Once a region is created, in that location may exist petty visual difference to the drawing. However, if you set up the shade way to "Flat Shaded", , you volition see that the region is, in fact, a surface and non simply an outline. Regions are especially useful in 3D modeling because they can be extruded.

Earlier starting the Region control, draw a closed shape such as a rectangle, circumvolve or whatever closed polyline or spline.

Control Sequence

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

You tin use the boolean commands, Spousal relationship, Subtract and Intersect to create complex regions.

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The Wipeout Control

Toolbar	custom
Pull-down	DescribeWipeout
Keyboard	WIPEOUT

A Wipeout is an epitome type object. About commonly information technology is used to "mask" role of a drawing for clarity. For example, you may desire to add together text to a complicated part of a drawing. A Wipeout could be used to mask an surface area behind some text and so that the text tin can easily be read, as in the example shown on the correct.

The Wipeout control can be used for 3 different operations. Information technology can be used to draw a wipeout object, equally you might expect, merely it can likewise be used to convert an existing airtight polyline into a wipeout and information technology can be used to control the visibility of wipeout frames.

Command Sequence

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

You tin can use every bit many points as you lot wish in guild to create the shape you need. When you accept picked the last point, use right-click and Enter (or hit the Enter key on the keyboard) to consummate the control and create the wipeout.

Y'all may find that it is easier to depict a polyline first and so convert that polyline into a wipeout. To do this, start the Wipeout control so Enter to select the default "Polyline" option. Select the polyline when prompted to do and then. Think, polylines must be closed earlier they can exist converted to wipeouts.

In virtually cases, you will probably want to plow off the wipeout frame.

Control Sequence

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

The Frames option is used to plough frames off (or on) for all wipeouts in the electric current drawing. Yous cannot control the visibility of wipeout frames individually. You should besides be aware that when frames are turned off, wipeouts cannot be selected. If you need to move or modify a wipeout, you need to take frames turned on.

It is often more convenient to draw the wipeout later on the text so that yous tin run across how much space you need. In such a case, you may need to utilise the DRAWORDER command () to force the text to announced in a higher place the wipeout.

Tip: If y'all have the Express Tools loaded, you can use the very useful TEXTMASK control, which automatically creates a wipeout below whatever selected text. Find it on your pull-down at

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Points and Betoken Styles

Points are very uncomplicated objects and the procedure of creating them is as well very elementary. Points are rarely used equally drawing components although there is no reason why they could not be. They are normally used only as drawing aids in a similar fashion that Construction Lines and Rays are used. For example, points are automatically created when yous utilise the Mensurate and Divide commands to set out distances along a line.

When adding points to a drawing it is commonly desirable to gear up the signal fashion showtime because the default style tin exist difficult to see.

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The Point Command

Toolbar	Depict
Pull-down	DescribeIndicateUnmarried Bespeak
Keyboard	Indicate	brusque-cut	PO

The point command will insert a point mark in your drawing at a position which you pick in the drawing window or at whatsoever co-ordinate location which you enter at the keyboard. The default betoken style is a simple dot, which is often difficult to come across but yous can change the point way to something more easily visible or elaborate using the point mode dialogue box. Points can exist used for "setting out" a cartoon in addition to structure lines. Yous can Snap to points using the Node object snap. See the Object Snap tutorial for details.

Command Sequence

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

Strangely, in Multiple Bespeak style (the default for the Point button on the Draw toolbar) you will need to use the escape key (Esc) on your keyboard to cease the command. The usual right-click or enter doesn't work.

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The Point Style Command

Toolbar	none
Pull-downwardly	FormatIndicate Style…
Keyboard	DDPTYPE

Yous tin start the indicate style command from the keyboard by typing DDPTYPE or y'all can start it from the pull-downward bill of fare at The control starts by displaying a dialogue box offering a number of options.

To change the point manner, just option the picture of the way y'all desire and then click the "OK" push button. You will demand 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 style. Any new points created subsequently the manner has been fix will automatically display in the new manner.

Ane interesting aspect of points is that their size can exist set to an absolute value or relative to the screen size, expressed every bit a percentage. The default is for points to brandish 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 especially convenient when drawings go complex and the drawing procedure requires a lot of zooming in and out.

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Multilines

Multilines are complex lines that consist of between i and 16 parallel lines, known as elements. The default multiline style has just two elements but y'all can create boosted styles of an well-nigh countless diverseness. The Multiline Style command enables yous to create new multiline styles by adding line elements, irresolute the colour and linetype of elements, adding end caps and the option of displaying as a solid colour.

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The Multiline Command

Toolbar	custom
Pull-downwards	DrawMultiline
Keyboard	MLINE	brusque-cut	ML

The Multiline command is used to draw multilines. This procedure of drawing is pretty much the same as drawing polylines, boosted line segments are added to the multiline every bit points are picked. As with polylines, points can exist unpicked with the Undo option and multilines can be airtight.

When you lot start the Multiline command you also have the option to specify the Justification, Calibration and Style of the multiline. The Justification pick allows y'all to set the justification to "Pinnacle", the default, "Zero" or "Bottom". When justification is prepare to top, the pinnacle of the multiline is drawn through the pick points, equally in the illustration below. Nil justification draws the centreline of the multiline through the pick points and Bottom draws the bottom line through the pick points. Justification allows you to control how the multiline is drawn relative to your setting out information. For example, if yous are cartoon a new road with reference to its centre line, and so Cypher justification would be appropriate.

The Scale choice allows you to set a scale factor, which effectively changes the width of the multiline. The default scale 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 Mode option enables yous to set the current multiline manner. The default style is called "Standard". This is the simply style available unless yous have previously created a new style with the Multiline Style command. Follow the command sequence below to come across how the Multiline command works and and then try irresolute the Justification and Scale options.

Command Sequence

Command: MLINE
Current settings: Justification = Summit, Scale = 20.00, Way = STANDARD
Specify first bespeak or [Justification/Scale/Way]: (Choice P1)
Specify next point: (Pick P2)
Specify next signal or [Undo]: (Pick P3)
Specify next point or [Shut/Undo]: (to end or continue picking or C to close)

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The Multiline Manner Command

Toolbar	none
Pull-down	FormatMultiline Style…
Keyboard	MLSTYLE

The Multiline fashion command is used to create new multiline styles, which tin can and then be used with the Multiline command. When you start the command for the first time, y'all volition run into the Multiline Styles dialogue box indicating that the Standard way is "Current". To create a new style, enter a new style proper noun in the "Name" edit box by overwriting "STANDARD" and enter an optional description in the "Description" edit box. The dialogue box should now look something like the 1 on the right. When yous are happy with the new name and description, but click on the "Add" push button. Your new style will at present appear in the "Current" box. The new style you have created is simply a copy of the Standard style, so the next step is to change the fashion to accommodate your own purposes. Click on the "Element Properties…" button to keep.

Yous will at present see the Chemical element Properties dialogue box appear. This dialogue box allows y'all to add together new line elements or delete existing ones and to command the element offset, color and linetype. Click the "Add" button to add together a new chemical element. A new line chemical element now appears with an offset of 0.0, in other words, this is a heart line. Highlight the top chemical element in the "Elements" listing and change the offset to 1.0 by entering this value in the "Offset" edit box. Now do the same with the bottom element remembering to enter a value of -1.0 because this is a negative showtime. You now have a multiline that is two cartoon units wide with a middle line. Let's now change the color and linetype of the centre line.

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

Changing the linetype is a fiddling more complicated because nosotros will demand to load the required linetype first. However, click on the "Linetype…" push button to go along.

The Select Linetype dialogue box appears with just a few solid linetypes listed, ByLayer, ByBlock and Continuous. Click on the "Load…" button. The Load or Reload Linetypes dialogue box now appears. Coil down the list of linetypes until you notice ane called "Hidden". Highlight Hidden and and so click the "OK" button. You will at present run across the Subconscious linetype appear in the "Loaded linetypes" list in the Select Linetype dialogue box, which should at present look similar to the i shown in a higher place. Finally, highlight Hidden and click the "OK" button. Your Chemical element Properties dialogue box should now look similar to the i in the analogy above. To complete our new style, we will add some end caps and a solid fill. Click on the "Multiline Properties…" push button to proceed.

In the Multiline Properties dialogue box, click in the "Line" check boxes under "Start" and "End". This will have the effect of capping the ends of the multiline with a 90 degree line. Every bit yous can see from the dialogue box, you can alter this angle if you wish to requite a chamfered end. Next, click the "On" check box in the "Fill up" section and then click on the Colour… button and select the fill up colour from the palette. The Multiline Properties dialogue box should now wait like the i in the analogy on the left. Finally, click the "OK" push button in the Multiline Properties dialogue box and over again in the Multiline Style dialogue box. You are now fix to draw with your new multiline.

Start the Multiline command, selection a number of points and adore your handiwork. If y'all accept followed this tutorial closely, your new multiline should look something similar the ane in the analogy on the right. Notice the effect of the various changes y'all accept made compared with the Standard multiline style.

One limitation of multiline styles is that you cannot alter a style if there are multilines referencing the style in the current cartoon. This is a shame because information technology means that information technology is not possible to update multiline styles in the same way equally it is possible to update text or dimension styles. Y'all besides cannot change the manner of an existing multiline. If you lot really want to change a multiline style, yous will have to erase all multilines that reference the fashion offset.

If you are new to AutoCAD, the whole process of working with multilines and creating multiline styles may announced a little bewildering considering it touches upon a number of aspects of the program with which you may non be familiar. If this is the case, information technology may be a good thought to return to this tutorial in the time to come. Multilines are useful because they tin can relieve lots of time merely their use is adequately specific and you should recollect carefully before using them. It may, for example, be more user-friendly just to draw a polyline and to create offsets using the Offset command.

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Tips & Tricks

Command Sequence

Command: LINE
Specify first point: (pick P1)
Specify adjacent signal or [Undo]: (pick P2)
Specify adjacent point or [Undo]: (right-click and select Enter)
Command: (right-click and select Repeat Line)
Specify start point: (pick P1)
Specify next betoken or [Undo]: (selection P2)
Specify next point or [Undo]: (right-click and select Enter)
Command: (correct-click and select Repeat Line)…

You could go along this bicycle as long as yous needed, using only the mouse for input.

• You can modify 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 equally a solid line. However, lines can be displayed with a dash, dash-dot and a whole range of variations. See the Object Backdrop tutorial for details.

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