1. Computer Aided Engineering Drawing
Entity Draw Commands in AutoCAD
Chapter No 3
Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology
Computer Engineering Department
University Road, Karachi-75300, PAKISTAN

2. Text Book Text Book: Mastering AUTOCAD 14 By George Omura
Course Outline is available at CAED course website.

3. Chapter Outline LINE Command LINETYPE Command CHANGE Command
POINT Command
PDMODE AND PDSIZE
CIRCLE Command
ARC Command
POLYGON Command
SKETCH Command
ELLIPSE Command
DONUT Command
SOLID Command
TRACE Command
TEXT and DTEXT
STYLE Command

4. Line Command The LINE command lets you draw straight lines.
You can specify the desired endpoints using either 2D or 3D coordinates, or a combination of the two. If you enter 2D coordinates, AutoCAD uses the current elevation as the Z component of the point.
Format: LINE
From point: Enter a point.
To point: Enter a point.
To point: to end line sequence.

5. Line Command
To erase the last line segment without exiting the LINE command, enter "u" at the To point: prompt.
You can constrain lines to horizontal or vertical by using the ORTHO command.
Relative, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate point entry is allowed.
You can also use object snap to specify particular points -- endpoints of lines, centers of circles, etc. -- of previously drawn entities.

6. Drawing Lines To draw single-segment and multiple-segment lines:
1. Choose Line from the Draw menu, then choose Segments.
2. Using the mouse, click a point on the screen.
3. Move the crosshairs to a second point on the screen.
As you move the crosshairs, a rubber-band line shows you what the line will look like.
4. Click on the second point.
5. To end the line at the second point, press the right mouse button (this is the same as pressing ).
If you want to continue the line, keep clicking points on the screen. AutoCAD draws additional lines, each starting at the endpoint of the previous line. When you are done, press the right mouse button.

7. Draw Line Sub Menu Sketch Segments 1 Segment Double lines
Draws multiple line segments. See LINE and Drawing Lines.
1 Segment
Draws a single line segment. See LINE and Drawing Lines.
Double lines
Draws a continuous double line using straight-line segments and arcs.
Sketch
Lets you draw freehand.

8. Line Type The LINETYPE command sets the linetype for new entities.
It can also load linetype definitions from a library file, write new definitions to a library file, and list the linetype definitions in a library file.
You can control the dot-dash linetype of each entity individually, or by layer.
Format: LINETYPE
? / Create / Load / Set: ?

9. Line Type
To change the linetype of existing objects, use the CHANGE command. To control layer linetypes, use the LAYER command.
Options
? Lists the linetypes defined in a specified library file.
Create Allows creation of a new linetype and stores it in a specified library file.
Load Loads selected linetypes from a specified library file.
Set Sets the current linetype used for newly drawn entities.

10. Change Command
The CHANGE command lets you modify or change the properties of existing objects in the drawing.
Format: CHANGE
Select objects:
Properties/<Change point>:

11. Point Command
The POINT command lets you place a Point entity in the drawing.
Points are useful as "nodes" for object snap purposes.
The appearance of Points in your drawing is governed by the PDMODE and PDSIZE system variables.
Format: POINT
Point: Designate a point.
You can enter the DDPTYPE command to view the various forms a point can take.

12. PDMODE
PDMODE is a system variable that stores the display mode for Point entities.
The value stored is an integer and is saved in the drawing file.
When you enter the POINT command, AutoCAD draws the Point entity in the form specified by PDMODE, and at the size specified by the PDSIZE system variable.

13. PDMODE Options 0 (Default) A dot at a point. 1 Nothing.
2 A cross through a point.
3 An X through a point.
4 A vertical line upward from a point.
To each of these values you can add 32, 64, or 96 to set a figure to be drawn around a point.
+ 32 Draws a circle around a point.
+ 64 Draws a square around a point.
+ 96 Draws a circle and square around a point.

14. PDMODE Therefore, there are 16 valid PDMODE settings: 0 32 64 96
Note: All Points are redrawn to the form currently specified by PDMODE when the drawing is regenerated.

15. PDSIZE
PDSIZE is a system variable that stores the display size for Point entities. The value stored is a real number and is saved in the drawing file.
By default, AutoCAD displays Point entities as a single pixel.
If PDSIZE is set to a positive number, it specifies an absolute size for Point entities. If negative, it is interpreted as a percentage of the viewport size, and Point entities retain their appearance as you zoom in and out, provided the zoom performs a drawing regeneration.

16. DDTYPE – Point Style Dialogue Box
The DDPTYPE command lets you specify a new point display mode and size.
Format: DDPTYPE
When you enter the DDPTYPE command, AutoCAD displays the Point Style dialogue box. Current values for the point display mode and size are shown. Change the point display mode by clicking the new image tile.
The PDMODE system variable is updated when you exit the dialogue box. The value you specify in the Point Size edit box depends on which radio button you select

17. Circle
The CIRCLE command draws a circle as specified by any one of four methods.
Format: CIRCLE
3P/2P/TTR/<Center point>: Enter a point.
Diameter/<Radius>: Enter radius value.
Options
3P Three points about the circumference
2P Two points defining the diameter
TTR Tangent, tangent, radius

18. Draw Circle Sub Menu Center, Radius Center, Diameter 2 Point 3 Point
Draws a circle based on center point and radius.
Center, Diameter
Draws a circle based on center point and diameter.
2 Point
Draws a circle based on 2 endpoints of diameter.
3 Point
Draws a circle based on 3 points on the circumference.
Tangent, Tangent, Radius
Draws a circle based on the radius and two lines the circle is tangent to.

19. Arc Command
The ARC command draws an arc (circle segment) as specified by any of the following methods:
Three points on the arc
Start point, center, endpoint
Start point, center, included angle
Start point, center, length of chord
Start point, endpoint, radius
Start point, endpoint, included angle
Start point, endpoint, starting direction

20. Arc Command Format: ARC Center/<Start point>: Enter a point.
Center/End/<Second point>: Enter a point.
Endpoint: Enter a point.
Options
A Included Angle
C Center point
D Starting Direction
E Endpoint
R Radius

21. Draw Arc Sub Menu 3 Point Start, Center, End Start, Center, Angle
Draws an arc based on 3 points.
Start, Center, End
Draws an arc based on a start, center, and endpoint.
Start, Center, Angle
Draws an arc based on a start point, center point, spanning an angle.
Start, Center, Length
Draws an arc based on a start point, center point, and length of chord.
Start, End, Angle
Draws an arc based on start point, endpoint, and specified angle.
Start, End, Radius
Draws an arc based on a start point, endpoint, and radius.

22. BPOLY -- Polyline Creation Dialogue Box
The BPOLY command creates a Polyline of a boundary.
The area isn't hatched, and it's saved in your drawing.
In the Polyline Creation dialogue box, the Define boundary Set area and the Ray Casting popup list are identical to the ones in the Advanced Options dialogue box used by BHATCH.
When you use BPOLY, AutoCAD disables the Retain Boundaries check box. Pick the "Pick Points" button to accept the settings in the Polyline Creation dialogue box and create a Polyline. AutoCAD clears the dialogue box and displays this prompt:

23. Polygon Command
The POLYGON command lets you draw regular polygons that can have sides. The size of the polygon can be specified by the radius of a circle in which it is inscribed or about which it is circumscribed, or by the length of an edge.
Format: POLYGON
Number of sides <default>: Enter a number or press
Edge/<Center of polygon>: Enter a point.
Inscribed in circle/Circumscribed about circle (I/C):
Radius of circle:

24. Polygon Command
If you respond to the Edge/Center...option with E, you'll be prompted to specify the first and second endpoints of one of its edges:
If you respond to the Inscribed../Circumscribed... option with I, you should then enter the radius of a circle on which all the vertices of the polygon will lie. You can enter the radius numerically, or pick a point relative to the center of the polygon. If you pick a point, a vertex of the polygon is drawn at that point.

25. Polyside Command
POLYSIDES is a system variable that sets the default number of sides for the POLYGON command. The value stored is an integer; the range is
Draw / Polygon Submenu
Edge
Draws an equal sided polygon based on the endpoints of one edge of the polygon.
Circumscribed
Draws an equal sided polygon circumscribing a circle of a specified radius.
Inscribed
Draws an equal sided polygon inscribed within a circle of a specified radius.

26. Sketch Command
The SKETCH command lets you draw freehand. It requires a pointing device such as a digitizing tablet or mouse.
Format: SKETCH
Record increment <current>: Enter a number.
Sketch.Pen eXit Quit Record Erase Connect.

27. Sketch Command Options Pen Raises/lowers sketching pen.
Quit Discards temporary lines, and exits Sketch.
Record Records temporary lines, but remains in Sketch.
Erase Erases temporary lines from a specified point
Connect Restarts sketch at last endpoint.

28. Ellipse Command The ELLIPSE command lets you draw ellipses.
Format: ELLIPSE
<Axis endpoint 1>/Center: Enter a point or C.
Axis endpoint 2: Enter a point.
<Other axis distance>/Rotation:
If you respond to the <Axis endpoint 1>/Center prompt with C, AutoCAD prompts for the center point, and one endpoint of each axis.

29. Ellipse Command
If you have selected isometric Snap mode, ELLIPSE lets you draw a circle in the current isometric drawing plane, as follows:
Format: ELLIPSE
<Axis endpoint 1>/Center/Isocircle: I
Center of circle: Enter a point.
<Circle radius>/Diameter: Enter a radius distance or D.
The "Center of circle" is the center point of the original circle as projected into the isometric drawing plane. The radius or diameter is the radius or diameter of the original circle as it would appear in a face-on projection.

30. Donut Command
The DONUT (or DOUGHNUT) command draws a filled circle or ring.
Format: DOUGHNUT
Inside diameter <last>: Enter a value or two points.
Outside diameter<last>: Enter a value or two points.
Center of doughnut: Enter a point.
The "Center of doughnut" prompt is repeated for multiple locations of the doughnuts. A null response ends the DOUGHNUT command.
The DOUGHNUT command constructs a closed Polyline (composed of wide arc segments) represents the specified object.

31. Solid Command
The SOLID command lets you draw solid-filled regions by entering them as quadrilateral or triangular sections.
Format: SOLID
First point: Enter a point.
Second point: Enter a point.
Third point: Enter a point.
Fourth point: Enter a point or press for triangular section.
Third point: Enter a point or press to end solid.
The SOLID command prompts for the third and fourth point recursively, letting you continue drawing solid-filled regions.

32. Trace Command
The TRACE command lets you draw Traces, solid-filled lines of specified width. Traces may be constrained to horizontal or vertical by the ORTHO command.
Format: TRACE
Trace width <current>:
From point: Enter a point.
To point: Enter a point.
To point: Press to end trace entry.

33. TEXT Command
The TEXT command draws text of any desired size and angle.
Format: TEXT
Justify/Style/<Start Point>: Enter a point.

34. TEXT Command
Options
Justify Allows you to pick from a list of text alignment options: Align (A), Fit (F),
Center (C), Middle (M), Right (R),
Some alignment options prompt you to identify Height and Rotation angle.
Style Displays the current text style name, and allows you to name a new style or pick from a list of available styles.
Start point Left-justifies text to the point you specify. Also prompts you to identify Height and Rotation angle.

35. DTEXT Command
The DTEXT command allows you to enter text dynamically: text appears on the screen character by character as you enter it.
You can enter multiple lines of text with one command. DTEXT is similar to the TEXT command, and begins by prompting for the same information.
Format: DTEXT
Justify/Style/<Start point>:

36. Draw TEXT Sub Menu
Dynamic Draws text characters of any size, with selected styles. See DTEXT.
Import Text Lets you import a text file into the current drawing.
Set Style... Displays dialogue box of available text styles. See STYLE.
Attributes > Attributes submenu

37. STYLE Command
The STYLE command lets you create new text styles and modify existing ones.
Format: STYLE
Text style name (or ?) <current>:
Font file <default>:
Height <default>:
Width factor <default>: Enter a scale factor.
Backwards? <N>
Upside-down? <N>
Vertical? <N>