COMPUTER AIDED ENGINEERING DRAWING PRACITCE – EXPT 2

Expt No. :2 DRAWING OBJECTS Dt:

AIM : To learn and practice the commands used to draw different objects using AutoCAD 2007 like line , poly
line , rectangle, arc , circle , spline etc
PACKAGE USED : AUTOCAD 2007

Introduction

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

The Line Command

Toolbar Draw
Pull-down Draw Line
Keyboard LINE short-cut L

With the Line command you can draw a simple line from one point to another. When you  pick the first point and
move thecross-hairs to the location of the second point you will see a rubber band line which shows you where the
line will be drawn when the second point is picked. Lineobjects have two ends (the first point and the last point).
You can 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 be moved or erased as required. To end this
command, just hit the   key on the keyboard.

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Command Sequence
Command: LINE
Specify first point: (pick P1)
Specify next point or [Undo]: (pick P2)
Specify next point or [Undo]:   (to end)
You can also draw lines by entering the co-ordinates of their end points at the command prompt rather than picking
their position from the screen.
The Construction Line Command
Toolbar Draw Pull-down Draw Construction Line Keyboard XLINE short-cut XL
The Construction Line command creates a line of infinite length which passes through two picked points.
Construction lines are very useful for creating construction frameworks or grids within which to design.
Construction lines are not normally used as objects in finished drawings, it is usual, therefore, to draw all your
construction lines on a separate layer which will be turned off or frozen prior to printing.
Command Sequence
Command: XLINE
Specify a point or [Hor/Ver/Ang/Bisect/Offset]: (pick a point)
Specify through point: (pick a second point)
Specify through point:   (to end or pick another point)
Command Sequence
Command: XLINE
Hor/Ver/Ang/Bisect/Offset/<From point>: H
Through point: (pick a point to position the line)
Through point:   (to end or pick a point for another horizontal line)
The Ray Command
Toolbar custom Pull-down Draw Ray Keyboard RAY
The Ray command creates a line similar to a construction line except that it extends infinitely in only one direction
from the first pick point. The direction of the Ray is determined by the position of the second pick point.
Command Sequence
Command: RAY
Specify start point: (pick the start point)
Specify through point: (pick a second point to determine direction)
Specify through point:   (to end or pick another point)
The Polyline Family
Polylines differ from 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 illustration below shows a number of polylines to
give you an idea of the flexibility of this type of line.
The Polyline Command
Toolbar Draw Pull-down Draw Polyline Keyboard PLINE short-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 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   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  . 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 point or [Arc/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: (pick P2)

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Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: (pick P3)

Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: (pick P4)
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]: (pick P5)
Specify next point or [Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width]:   (or C to close)
 The Rectangle Command
Toolbar Draw
Pull-down Draw Rectangle 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 two
diagonal corners. The rectangle isn't really an AutoCAD object at all. It is, in fact,
just a closed polyline which is automatically drawn for you.
Command Sequence
Command: RECTANG
Specify first corner point or [Chamfer/Elevation/Fillet/Thickness/Width]: (pick P1)
Specify other corner point or [Dimensions]: (pick P2)
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, see 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 have the option of entering dimensions.
Say you wanted to draw a rectangle 20 drawing 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>: 20
Specify width for rectangles <0.0000>: 10
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.
See the Using Co-ordinates tutorial for more details.
The Polygon Command
Toolbar Draw
Pull-down Draw Polygon Keyboard POLYGON short-cut POL
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. Follow the command sequence
below to see how this command works.
Command Sequence
Command: POLYGON
Enter number of sides <4>: 5 
Specify center of polygon or [Edge]: (pick P1 or type E to define 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: (pick P2 or enter exact radius)

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In the illustration above, the polygon on the left is inscribed (inside the circle with the polygon vertexes touching
it), the one in the middle is circumscribed (outside the circle with the polyline edges tangential to it) and the one on
the right is defined by the length of an edge.
The Donut Command
Toolbar custom
Pull-down Draw Donut 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
have been given a width. AutoCAD asks you to define the inside diameter i.e. the diameter of the hole and then the
outside 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 can continue picking centre points to draw more donuts or you can hit   to end
the command. Surprisingly, donuts are constructed from single closed polylines composed of two arc segments
which have been given a width. Fortunately AutoCAD works all this out for you, so all you see is a donut.
Command Sequence
Command: DONUT
Specify inside diameter of donut <0.5000>: (pick any two points to define a diameter or enter the exact length)
Specify outside diameter of donut <1.0000>: (pick any two points to define a diameter or enter the exact length)
Specify center of donut or <exit>: (pick P1)
Specify center of donut or <exit>:   (to end or continue to pick for more doughnuts)
The Revcloud Command
Toolbar Draw
Pull-down Draw Revision Cloud Keyboard REVCLOUD
The Revcloud command is used to draw a "freehand" revision cloud or to convert any closed shape into a revision
cloud.
Command Sequence
Command: REVCLOUD
Minimum arc length: 66.6377 Maximum arc length: 116.6159
Specify start point or [Arc length/Object] <Object>: (Pick P1)
Guide crosshairs along cloud path...
 Move the mouse to form a closed shape; the command automatically ends when a closed shape is formed.
Revision cloud finished.
You can use the "Arc length" option to control the scale of the revision cloud. 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.
The 3D Polyline Command
Toolbar custom
Pull-down Draw 3D Polyline
Keyboard 3DPOLY
The 3D Polyline command works in exactly the same way as the Polyline command. The main difference between
a normal polyline and a 3D polyline is that each vertex (pick point) of a 3D polyline can have a different value for
Z (height). In normal (2D) polylines, all vertexes must have the same Z value.
3D polyline objects are not as complex as their 2D cousins. For example, they cannot contain arc segments and
they cannot be given widths. However, they can be very useful for 3D modeling.
Command Sequence
Command: 3DPOLY
Specify start point of polyline: (pick a point)

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Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: (pick another point)

Specify endpoint of line or [Undo]: (pick a third point)
Specify endpoint of line or [Close/Undo]:  (to end, C to close or continue picking points)
Notice that you are not prompted for a Z value each time you pick a point. You 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.
The Circle Command

Toolbar Draw
Pull-down Draw Circle Center, Radius
Keyboard CIRCLE short-cut C
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
Command: CIRCLE
Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: (pick P1)
Specify radius of circle or [Diameter] <50.0195>: (pick P2 or enter the exact radius)
 As you can see from the command prompt above the default options are always indicated
in triangular brackets like so <Default> and command 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 three extra options to define a circle. 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 last
option you need to have drawn two lines which you can use as 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
part of the option name. For example, if you want to use the Ttr option, you need only enter "T". There are two
more circle options on the pull-down menu that enable you to draw a circle by defining the center and diameter or
by using 3 tangents.
The Arc Command
Toolbar Draw
Pull-down Draw Arc 3 Points
Keyboard ARC short-cut A
 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.
Command Sequence
Command: ARC
Specify start point of arc or [Center]: (pick P1)
Specify second point of arc or [Center/End]: (pick P2)
Specify end point of arc: (pick P3)
It is also possible to create an arc by trimming a circle object. In practice,
many arcs are actually created this way.

The Spline Command

Toolbar Draw Pull-down Draw Spline Keyboard
SPLINE short-cut SPL
 The Spline command creates a type of spline known as a nonuniform
rational B-spline, NURBS for short. A spline is a smooth curve that is fitted

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along a number of control points. The Fit Tolerance option can be 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 illustration on the right shows the effect 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 after they have been created using the SPLINEDIT command, Modify Object Spline from
the pull-down menu. Using this command, you can change the tolerance, add more control points move control
points and close splines, amongst other things. However, if you just 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 first point or [Object]: (Pick P1)
Specify next point: (Pick P2)
Specify next point or [Close/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>: (Pick P3)
Specify next point or [Close/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>: (Pick P4)
Specify next point or [Close/Fit tolerance] <start tangent>: 
Specify start tangent: (pick a point)
Specify end tangent: (pick a point)
You can create linear approximations to splines by smoothing polylines with the PEDIT command, Modify
Polyline from the pull-down menu. However, you can also turn polylines into true splines using the Object option
of the Spline command.
The Ellipse Command
Toolbar Draw Pull-down Draw Ellipse Axis, End Keyboard ELLIPSE short-
cut EL
 The Ellipse command gives you a number of different creation options. The default
option is to pick the two end points of an axis and then a third point to define the
eccentricity of the ellipse. After you have mastered the default option, try out the
others.
Command Sequence
Command: ELLIPSE
Specify axis endpoint of ellipse or [Arc/Center]: (pick P1)
Specify other endpoint of axis: (pick P2)
Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]: (pick P3)
The ellipse command can also be used to draw isometric circles.
The Ellipse Arc Command
Toolbar Draw
Pull-down Draw Ellipse Arc
Keyboard ELLIPSE   A short-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" 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. Remember 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 separate command; it 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's
own button on the Draw toolbar. Still, there it is.
Command Sequence
Command: 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)

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Specify distance to other axis or [Rotation]: (pick P3)

Specify start angle or [Parameter]: 270
Specify end angle or [Parameter/Included angle]: 90
The Region Command
Toolbar Draw
Pull-down Draw Region
Keyboard REGION short-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 actually drawing them (i.e. you will need to draw the closed shape
or loop first). Once a region is created, there may be little visual difference to the drawing. However, if you set the
shade mode to "Flat Shaded", View Shade Flat Shaded, you will see that the region is, in fact, a surface and not
simply an outline. Regions are particularly useful in 3D modeling because they can be extruded.
Before starting the Region command, draw a closed shape such as a rectangle, circle or any closed polyline or
spline.
Command Sequence
Command: REGION
Select objects: (Pick P1) 
Select objects:
1 loop extracted.
1 Region created.
You can use the boolean commands, Union, Subtract and Intersect to create complex regions.
The Wipeout Command
Toolbar custom
Pull-down Draw Wipeout
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 may want to add text to a complicated part of a drawing. A Wipeout could be used to mask an area behind
some text so that the text can easily be read, as in the example shown on the right.
The Wipeout command can be used for 3 different operations. It can be used to draw a wipeout object, as you
might expect, but it can also be used to convert an existing closed polyline into a wipeout and it can be used to
control the visibility of wipeout frames.
Command Sequence
Command:  WI PEOUT
Specify first point or

[Frames/Polyline] <Polyline>: (Pick P1)

Specify next point: (Pick P2)
Specify next point or [Undo]: (Pick P3)
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]: (Pick P4)
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
You can use as many points as you wish in order to create the shape you need. When you have picked the last
point, use right-click and Enter (or hit the Enter key on the keyboard) to complete the command and create the
wipeout.

Points and Point Styles

Points are very simple objects and the process of creating them is also very simple. Points are rarely used as
drawing components although there is no reason why they could not be. They are normally used just as drawing

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aids in a similar way that Construction Lines and Rays are used. For example, points are automatically created
when you use the Measure and Divide commands to set out distances along a line.
When adding points to a drawing it is usually desirable to set the point style first because the default style can be
difficult to see.
The Point Command
Toolbar Draw
Pull-down Draw Point Single Point
Keyboard POINT short-cut PO
The point command will insert a point marker in your drawing at a position which you pick in the drawing window
or at any co-ordinate location which you enter at the keyboard. The default point style is a simple dot, which is
often difficult to see but you can change the point style to something more easily visible or elaborate using the
point style dialogue box. Points can be used for "setting out" a drawing in addition to construction lines. You
can Snap to points using the Node object snap.
Command Sequence
Command: POINT
Current point modes: PDMODE=0 PDSIZE=0.0000
Specify a point: (pick any point)
Strangely, in Multiple Point mode (the default for the Point button on the Draw toolbar) you will need to use the
escape key (Esc) on your keyboard to end the command. The usual right-click or enter doesn't work.
The Point Style Command
Toolbar none
Pull-down Format Point Style…
Keyboard DDPTYPE
You can start the point style command from the keyboard by typing
DDPTYPE or you can start it from the pull-down menu at Format
Point Style… The command starts by displaying a dialogue
box offering a number of options.
To change the point style, just pick the picture of the style you want
and then click the "OK" button. You will need to use the Regen
command, REGEN at the keyboard or View Regen from the pull-
down to force any existing points in your drawing to display in the
new style. Any new points created after the style has been set will
automatically display in the new style.
One interesting aspect of points is that their size can be set to an
absolute value or relative to the screen size, expressed as a
percentage. The default is for points to display relative to the screen
size, which is very useful because it means that points will remain the
same size, irrespective of zoom factor. This is particularly convenient when drawings become complex and the
drawing process requires a lot of zooming in and out.
Multilines
Multilines are complex lines that consist of between 1 and 16 parallel lines, known as elements. The default
multiline style has just two elements but you can create additional 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, adding end caps and the option of displaying as a solid colour.
The Multiline Command
Toolbar custom
Pull-down Draw Multiline
Keyboard MLINE short-cut ML
The Multiline command is used to draw multilines. This process of
drawing is pretty much the same as drawing polylines, additional

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line segments are added to the multiline as points are picked. As with polylines, points can be unpicked with the
Undo option and multilines can be closed.
When you start the Multiline command you also have the option to specify the Justification, Scale and Style of the
multiline. The Justification option allows you to set the justification to "Top", the default, "Zero" or "Bottom".
When justification is set to top, the top of the multiline is drawn through the pick points, as in the illustration
below. Zero 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 you are drawing a new road with reference to its centre line, then Zero
justification would be appropriate.
The Scale option 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 Style option enables you to set the current multiline style. The default style is called "Standard". This is the
only style available unless you have previously created a new style with the Multiline Style command. Follow the
command sequence below to see how the Multiline command works and then try changing the Justification and
Scale options.
Command Sequence
Command: MLINE
Current settings: Justification = Top, Scale = 20.00, Style = STANDARD
Specify start point or [Justification/Scale/STyle]: (Pick P1)
Specify next point: (Pick P2)
Specify next point or [Undo]: (Pick P3)
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:   (to end or continue picking or C to close)
The Multiline Style Command

Toolbar none
Pull-down Format Multiline Style…
Keyboard MLSTYLE
The Multiline style command is used to create new multiline styles, which can then be used with the Multiline
command. When you start the command for the first time, you will see the Multiline Styles dialogue box indicating
that the Standard style is "Current". To create a new style, enter a new style name 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 one on the right. When you are happy with the new name and description,
simply click on the "Add" button. Your new style will now 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 style to suit your own purposes.
Click on the "Element Properties…" button to proceed.
You will now see the Element Properties dialogue box appear. This dialogue box allows you to add new line
elements or delete existing ones and to control the element offset, colour and linetype. Click the "Add" button to
add a new element. A new line element now appears with an offset of 0.0, in other words, this is a centre line.
Highlight the top element in the "Elements" list 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 offset. You now have a multiline that is
2dra wing units wide with a centre line. Let's now change the
colour and linetype of the centre line.

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Highlight the 0.0 offset element by clicking it in the "Elements" list. To change the colour, simply click on the
Colour… button and select an appropriate colour from the palette. When a colour has been selected, click the "OK"
button on the palette to return to the Element Properties dialogue box.
Changing the linetype is a little more complicated because we will need to load the required linetype first.
However, click on the "Linetype…" button to proceed.

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. Scroll down
the list of linetypes until you find one called "Hidden". Highlight Hidden and then click the "OK" button. You will
now see the Hidden linetype appear in the "Loaded linetypes" list in the Select Linetype dialogue box, which
should now look similar to the one shown above. Finally, highlight Hidden and click the "OK" button. Your
Element Properties dialogue box should now look similar to the one in the illustration above. To complete our new
style, we will add 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 "Start" and "End". This will have the
effect of capping the ends of the multiline with a 90 degree line. As you can see from the dialogue box, you can
change this angle if you wish to give a chamfered end. Next, click the "On" check 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 look like the one in the illustration on the left. Finally, click the "OK" button in the Multiline

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Properties dialogue box and again in the Multiline Style dialogue box. You are now ready to draw with your new
multiline.
Start the Multiline command, pick a number of points and admire your
handiwork. If you have followed this tutorial closely, your new multiline
should look something like the one in the illustration on the right. Notice the
effect of the various changes you have made compared with the Standard
multiline style.
One limitation of multiline styles is that you cannot modify a style if there
are multilines referencing the style in the current drawing. This is a shame
because it means that it is not possible to update multiline styles in the same
way as it is possible to update text or dimension styles. You also cannot
change the style of an existing multiline. If you really want to modify a
multiline style, you will have to erase all multilines that reference the style first.
If you are new to AutoCAD, the whole process of working with multilines and creating multiline styles may
appear a little bewildering because it touches upon a number of aspects of the program with which you may not be
familiar. If this is the case, it may be a good idea to return to this tutorial in the future. Multilines are useful
because they can save lots of time but their use is fairly specific and you should think carefully before using them.
It may, for example, be more convenient simply to draw a polyline and to create offsets using the Offset command.

RESULT : The commands used to draw different objects IN AutoCAD 2007 like line , poly line , rectangle, arc ,
circle , spline etc were learned and practiced

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