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Command Sequence Example
Command : _LINE ENTER to use last point/Follow/<Start of line>: Angle/Length/<End point>: Angle/Length/Follow/Undo/<End point>:
Here is an example of a line being drawn. Infinite LinesThe Infinite Line command creates a line of infinite length which passes through two picked points. Infinite lines are very useful for creating construction frameworks or grids within which to design.
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 pick point is required because the direction of the line is predetermined. To use a command option, simply enter the capitalised part of the option name at the command prompt. Follow the command sequence below to see how you would draw a construction line using the Horizontal option.To end this command, just hit the 8 key on the keyboard or right click.
Command Sequence Example
Command : INFLINE Infinite line: Bisect/Horizontal/Vertical/Angle/Parallel/<Point along Line>: Direction:
Polyline
Polylines are different than lines in that they are more complex objects. A single polyline can be composed of a number of straight-line or arc segments. Polylines can also be given line widths to make them appear solid.
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 addition 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 you to pick as many points as you like. Again, just hit Enter to end. As with the Line command, you also have the option to automatically close a polyline end to end. To do this, type C to use the close option instead of hitting 8. Follow the command sequence below to see how this works.
Command Sequence Example
Command : PLINE Start of polyline: Arc/Distance/Halfwidth/Width/<Next point>: Arc/Distance/Follow/Halfwidth/Width/Undo/<Next point>: Arc/Close/Distance/Follow/Halfwidth/Width/Undo/<Next point>: Arc/Close/Distance/Follow/Halfwidth/Width/Undo/<Next point>:
Splines
The Spline command creates a type of spline known as a nonuniform rational B-spline, or NURBS for short. A spline is a smooth curve that is fitted along a number of control points. The Fit Tolerance option can be used to control how closely the spline conforms to control points. A low tolerance value causes the spline to form close to the control points. A tolerance of 0 forces the spline to pass through the control points.
Splines can be edited after they have been created using the SPLINEDIT command. Using this command, you can change the tolerance, add more control points move control points and add splines, amongst other things.
Command Sequence Example
Command : SPLINE First point for spline: Second point: Close/Fit Tolerance/ <Next point>: Close/Fit
tolerance/<Next point>:
Rectangle Tool
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 two diagonal corners.
The Rectangle command also has a number of options. Width works in the same way as for the Polyline command. The Chamfer and Fillet options have the same effect as the Chamfer and Fillet commands, However we will look at these later. Elevation and Thickness are 3D options.Notice that, instead of picking a second point to draw the rectangle, you have the option of entering dimensions.
Command Sequence Example
Command : RECTANGLE Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Rotated/Square/Thickness/Width/<Select first corner of rectangle>: Other corner of rectangle:
Polygon
The Polygon command can be used to draw any regular polygon from 3 sides up to 1024 sides. This command requires four inputs from the user, the number of sides, a pick point for the centre of the polygon, whether you want 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 command also allows you 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 entering an exact radius for the circle.
Command Sequence Example
Command : _POLYGON Polygon: Multiple/Width of line/<Number of sides> <5>: 5 Specify by: Edge/<Center of polygon>: _E First endpoint of edge: Second endpoint of edge:
Circles & Arcs
Along with Line and Polyline, the Circle command is probably one of the most frequently used. Fortunately it is also one of the simplest. However, in common with the other commands in this section there are a number of options that can help you construct just the circle you need. Most of these options are self explanatory but in some cases it can be quite confusing. The Circle command, for example, offers 6 ways to create a circle, while the Arc command offers 10 different methods for drawing an arc. The sections below concentrate mainly on the default options but feel free to experiment.
Arc
The Arc command allows you to draw an arc of a circle. There are numerous ways to define an arc, the default method uses three pick points, a start point, a second point and an end point. Using this method, the drawn arc will start at the first pick point, pass through the second point and end at the third point. Once you have mastered the default method try some of the others. You may, for example need to draw an arc with a specific radius. All of the Arc command options are available from the pull-down menu.
It is also possible to create an arc by trimming a circle object. In practice, many arcs are actually created this way.
Command Sequence Example
Command : _ARC ENTER to use last point/Center/Follow/<Start of arc>: Angle/Center/Direction/End/Radius/<Second point>: End point:
Circle
The Circle command is used to draw circles. There are a number of ways you can define the circle. The default method is to pick the centre point and then to either pick a second point on the circumference of the circle or enter the circle radius at the keyboard.
Command Sequence Example
Command : _CIRCLE 2Point/3Point/RadTanTan/Arc/Multiple/<Center of circle>: _2P First point on diameter: Second point on diameter:
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