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DRAW COMMANDS

UNIT 4

DRAW COMMAND

OBJECTIVES

General Objective : To understand and apply the concept of draw commands

Specific Objectives : At the end of this chapter you should be able to:

 Use and invoke the draw commands.

 Draw Lines by the Line command.

 Make Arc by using Arc command with 10 different method.

 Draw Circles by five options method.

 Makes Polylines by using Pline command.

 Create an ellipse with three methods.

 Draw Polygon, Donut and Solid by using Draw Comand.

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INPUT 4a

4.0 INTRODUCTION

Draw commands create objects. An object is the smallest component of a drawing. The
draw commands listed immediately below create simple objects and are discussed in this
unit. Simple objects appear as one entity.

Line, Circle, Arc, Point

Other draw commands create more complex shapes. Complex shapes appear to be
composed of several components, but each shape is usually one object. An example of an
object that is one entity but usually appears as several segment is listed below;

Pline

Other draw commands are combination of simple and complex shapes:

Xline, Polygon, Rectangle, Donut, Spline, Ellipse, Divide, Mline, Solid

Normally, there are three methods that can be used to access draw commands. We can use
either draw toolbar, keyboard entry of the command or pull-down menu ( Figure 4.1 ).
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Draw Pull-Down
Toolbar Menu

Keyboard
Entry

Figure 4.1: Three methods of using draw commands entry

DRAW COMMANDS

4.1 Line

This is the fundamental drawing command. Use the line command to construct a line
from one endpoint to the other. One or several line segments can be drawn with the line
command. You can specify the endpoints of lines using two-dimensional or three-
dimensional coordinates.

Draw toolbar :
Menu : Draw > Line
Command line : line or type “L”

From point: Specify a point or press ENTER to continue from the last line or arc
To point: Specify a point
To point: Specify a point, enter u or undo, enter c or close, or press ENTER

AutoCAD draws a line segment and continues to prompt for points. You can draw a
continuing series of line segments, but each line segment is a separate object. Press ENTER
to end the command.
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For example, the following command sequence draws a single line segment ( figure 4.2 ).

Command : line
From point : Specify a point (1)
To point : Specify a point (2)
To point : Press ENTER

Figure 4.2

4.2 ARC

An arc is part of a circle; it is a regular curve of less than 360 degrees. The arc
command in AutoCAD provides eleven options for creating arcs. An arc is one object. Arcs
are always drawn by default in a counter-clockwise direction. An arc command can be
reached by the following way

Draw toolbar :
Pull-down menu : Draw > arc
Command : arc
There are a number of ways to create arcs. The 3 points arc option is the default for the ARC
command.

3 point arc
This command option identifies the location of the 3 points of the arc. We can use
the keyboard and specify the coordinates or we may use the mouse to point the coordinates.
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Figure 4.3

Start, Center, End

The radius is defined by the first two points that you specify.

Figure 4.4
Start, center, angle
The angle is the included angle between the sides from the center to the endpoints. A
negative angle can be entered to generate an Arc in a clockwise direction.

Figure 4.5 :
Start, Center, Length
Length means length of chord. The length of chord is between the start and the other point
specified. A negative chord length can be entered to generate an arc of 180+ degrees.
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Figure 4.6

Start, end, angle

The included angle is between the sides from the center to the endpoints. Negative angles
generate clockwise arcs. The angle for figure below is 70 degrees.

Figure 4.7

Start, end, radius

The radius can be picked or entered as a value. A negative radius value generates arcs of
180+ degrees.

Figure 4.8
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Start, end, direction

The direction is tangent to the start point.

end

direction

start

Figure 4.9

Center, start, end

The option is like start, center, end but in a different order.

start end

center

Figure 4.10

Center, start, angle

This option is like start, center, angle but in a difference order.

angle

start
center

Figure 4.11
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Center, start, length

This is similar to the start, center, length option but in a different order. Length means length
of chord.

center

start

Length

Figure 4.12

Continue
The new Arc continues from and is tangent to the last point. The only other point required is
the endpoint of the arc. This method allows drawing arcs tangent to the preceding Line or
Arc.

4.3 Circle

The CIRCLE command has many options, these include center, radius; center, diameter;
two points, three points; tangent, tangent, radius; tangent, tangent, tangent.

Draw toolbar :
Menu : Draw > Circle
Command line : circle

Circle by Radius Mode:

Use the Circle command and the Radius mode to construct a circle by a radius value
specified by the user. After selecting a center point for the circle, the user is prompted to
enter a radius for the desired circle. Study the prompt below and illustration for constricting
a circle using the Radius mode.
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Command : CIRCLE
3P/2P/TTR/<Center Point> : ( Mark the center at ‘A’ )
Diameter/<Radius> : 1.50

Figure 4.13

Circle by Diameter Mode

Use the Circle command and the Diameter mode to construct a circle by a diameter value
specified by the user. After selecting a center point for the circle, the user is prompted to
enter a diameter for the desired circle. Study the prompt and illustration below for
constructing a circle by using Diameter mode.

Figure 4.14

Command : CIRCLE
3P/2P/TTR/<Center Point> : ( Mark the center at ‘A’ )
Diameter/<Radius>: Diameter
Diameter : 3.00
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3 Point Circle Mode:

Use the CIRCLE command and the 3 Point mode to construct a circle by 3 points identified
by user. No center point is required when entering the 3 Point mode. Simply select three
points and the circle is drawn. Study the prompt and illustration below for constructing a
circle using the 3 Point mode.

Command : CIRCLE
3P/2P/TTR/<Center Point> : 3P
First Point : ( Select the Point at ‘A’ )
Second point : ( Select the Point at ‘B’ )
Third point : ( Select the Point at ‘C’ )

(B)

(C) (A)

Figure 4.15

2 Point Circle mode:

Use the Circle command and the 2 Point mode to construct a circle by selecting 2 points.
These points will form the diameter of the circle. No center point is required after entering
the 2 point mode. Study the prompt and illustration below for constructing a circle by using
the 2 Point mode.

Command : CIRCLE
3P/2P/TTR/<Center Point> : 2P
First Point : ( Select the Point at ‘A’ )
Second point : ( Select the Point at ‘B’ )
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B A

Figure 4.16

Tangent-Tangent-Radius Mode - Method # 1:

This mode is very powerful when constructing a circle tangent to two entities. Illustrated
below is an application of using the TTR mode to construct a circle tangent to two line
segments. Study the prompt below to create this type of circle.

Command : CIRCLE
3P/2P/TTR/<Center Point> : TTR
Enter tangent spec : ( Select the line at ‘A’ )
Enter second tangent spec : ( Select the line at ‘B’ )
Radius : 1.4

(B)

(A)

Figure 4.17

Tangent-Tangent-Radius Mode : Method # 2:

Illustrated below is an application of using the Circle TTR mode to construct a circle tangent
to the line segment on another circle. Study the prompt below to create this type of circle.
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Command : CIRCLE
3P/2P/TTR/<Center Point> : TTR
Enter tangent spec : ( Select the line at ‘A’ )
Enter second tangent spec : ( Select the circle at ‘B’ )
Radius : 1.3

(B )
(A)

Figure 4.18

Tangent-Tangent-Radius Mode : Method # 3:

Illustrated below is an application of using the Circle TTR mode to construct a circle tangent
to another two circle. Study the prompt below to creating this type of circle.

Command : CIRCLE
3P/2P/TTR/<Center Point> : TTR
Enter tangent spec : ( Select the circle at ‘A’ )
Enter second tangent spec : ( Select the circle at ‘B’ )
Radius : 1.00
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(A)

(B)

Figure 4.19

4.5 POINT
Use the point command to identify the location of a point on a drawing. This point may be
used for reference purposes. The Osnap-Node or Nearest options are used to snap to points.
By default, a point is displayed as a dot on the screen. This dot may be confused with the
existing grid dots already on the screen. To distinguish point entities from grid dots, use the
chart at the right to assign a new point type; this is accomplished through the Pdmode
system variable. Entering a value of 3 for Pdmode display the point as an ‘X’. The Pdsize
system variable controls size of the point. Use the prompts below for changing the point
mode to a value of 3.

Command : Pdmode
New value for variable PDMODE <0> : 3

Command : Point
Point : ( Mark the new position of a point using the cursor or one of the many
coordinate systems )

Use the DDPTYPE dialog box below for dynamically selecting a new point mode and point
size.
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Figure 4.20 : Point Style dialog box

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ACTIVITY 4a

ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS BELOW.

4.1 Draw the figure below with line, arc and circle command.

Figure 4.21

Figure 4.22
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FEEDBACK
TO ACTIVITY 4a
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INPUT 4b

4.4 POLYLINE

Polilyne is similarly to individual line segment except that a polyline may consists of
numerous segments and still be considered as a single entity. Width may also be assigned to
a polyline compared to regular line segment, which makes polylines perfect for drawing
border and title block. Study both command sequences below for using the Pline command.

Command : Pline
From point : ( Select a point at ‘A’ )
Current line-width is 0.0000
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
( Mark a point at ‘A’ )
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
Width
Starting width <0.0000>: 0.10
Ending width < 0.0000> : ( Strike Enter to accept default )
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
( Mark a point at ‘B’)
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
( Mark a point at ‘C’)
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Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
( Mark a point at ‘D’)
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
( Mark a point at ‘E’)
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
( Strike Enter to exit this command)

C
D
B

A E

Four segment are representing one

polyline entity.

Figure 4.22

Command : Pline
From point : ( Select a point at ‘A’ )
Current line-width is 0.0000
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
@1.00<0( to ‘B’ )
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
@2.00<90 ( to ‘C’)
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
@0.50<0( to ‘D’)
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
@0.75<90( to ‘E’)
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
@0.75<180( to ‘F’)
Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<endpoint of line>:
Close
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Figure 4.23

4.6 ELLIPSE
An Ellipse is one object. There are three methods of creating Ellipse In AutoCAD.:
• Specify one axis and the end of the second.
• Specify the center and the ends of each axis.
• Create an ellipse arc.

Each option also permits supplying a rotation angle than the second axis length.

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : DRAW > ELLIPSE
Command : ELLPISE

Command : ellipse
Arc/Center/<Axis Point1> : PICK or (coordinates) (This is the first
endpoint
of either the major or minor axis.)
<Other axis distance>/Rotation: PICK or (coordinates) ( This distance is
measured perpendicularly from the established axis )
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Axis End

This default option requires Picking three points as indicated in the command
sequence above.

Figure 4.24

Rotation

If the rotation option is used with the Axis End method, the following syntax is used:

<Other axis distance>/Rotation : R

Rotation around major axis : PICK or (value)

Rotation = 45º

Figure 4.25

The specified angle is the number of degrees the shape is rotated from the circular
position.

Center
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With many practical applications, the center point of the ellipse is known, and
therefore the center option should be used.

Command : ellipse
Arc/Center/<Axis endpoint1> : C
Center of ellipse : PICK or (coordinates)
Axis endpoint : PICK or (coordinates)
<Other axis distance>/Rotation : PICK or (coordinates) ( This distance is
measured perpendicularly from the established axis )

The Rotation option appear and can be invoked after specifying the Center first Axix
endpoint.

Figure 4.26

Arc
Use this option to construct an elliptical arc ( partial ellipse ). The procedure is
identical to the Center option with the addition of specifying the start and endpoint
for the arc.
Command : ellipse
Arc/Center/<Axis endpoint 1>: a
<Axis endpoint 1>/center: PICK or (coordinates)
Axis endpoint 2 : PICK or (coordinates)
<Other axis distance>/Rotation : PICK or (coordinates)
Parameter/<start angle>: PICK or (angular value)
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Parameter/Included/<end angle> :PICK or (angular value )

Command :

Figure 4.27

4.7 POLYGON

The polygon command is used to construct a regular polygon. Polygons are

defined by the radius of circle which classifies the polygon as either being inscribed
or circumscribed. Polygons consist of a closed polyline entity with width set to zero.
The following prompt sequence is used to construct an inscribed polygon with the
illustration as a guide.

Toolbar :
Pull-down menu : Draw > polygon
Command : POLYGON

Command : Polygon
Number of sides : 6
Edge/<Center of polygon>: ( Select a point at ‘A’ )
Inscribed in circle/Circumscribed about circle ( I/C ) : Inscribed
Radius of circle : 1.00
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Figure 4.28

The following prompt sequence is used to construct a circumscribed polygon with

the illustration as a guide.

Command : Polygon
Number of sides : 6
Edge/<Center of polygon>: ( Select a point at ‘A’ )
Inscribed in circle/Circumscribed about circle ( I/C ) : Circumscribed
Radius of circle : 1.00

Figure 4.29

Polygon may be specified by locating the endpoints of one of its edges. The polygon
is then drawn in a counterclockwise direction. Study the illustration at the right and
the prompt sequence below for constructing a polygon by one of its edges.
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Command : Polygon
Number of sides : 6
Edge/<Center of polygon>: Edge
First endpoint of edge : ( Select a point at ‘A’)
Second endpoint of edge : ( Select a point at ‘B’ )

Figure 4.30

4.7 DONUT
Use the Donut command to construct a filled-in circle. This entity actually
resembles a polyline. The illustration below is an examples of a donut with an inside
diameter of 0.50 units and an outside diameter of 1.00 units. When placing Donut in
a drawing, the multiple option is automatically invoked. This means you can place as
many donuts as you like until another command is selected from one of the three
menu areas or a “Cancel” or CTRL-C is issued.

Command : Donut
Inside Diameter<0.50>: ( Strike Enter to accept the default )
Outside Diameter<1.00>: ( Strike Enter to accept the default )
Center of donut : ( Select a point to place the donut )
Center of donut : ( Select a point to place the donut or strike Enter to exit this
command )
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0.50

1.00

Figure 4.31

Set the inside diameter of a donut to a value of zero ( 0 ) and an outside diameter to
any other values to constructs a donut representing a dot.

Command : Donut
Inside Diameter<0.50>: 0
Outside Diameter<1.00>: 0.25
Center of donut : ( Select a point to place the donut )
Center of donut : ( Select a point to place the donut or strike Enter to exit this
command )

4.8 SOLID
The Solid command allows the user to create a fill in area of quadrilateral or
triangular shapes. Two endpoints or intersections are picked as a starting edge of the
solid. Two additional endpoints or intersections complete the opposite edge of the
solid. Study the following prompt sequence and the illustration for creating a solid.

Command : Solid
First point : ( Select the intersection at ‘A’ )
Second point : (Select the intersection at ‘B’ )
Third point : ( Select the intersection at ‘C’ )
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Fourth point : ( Select the intersection at ‘D’ )

Third point : ( Strike Enter to exit this command )

(A) (B)

(C) (D)

Figure 4.32

It is important how the second solid edge is selected. Instead of the third point being
selected diagonally from the second point as in the illustration, it was selected
adjacent to the second point. This created the ‘hourglass’ shape familiar to first-time
users of the Solid Command.

Command : Solid
First point : ( Select the intersection at ‘A’ )
Second point : (Select the intersection at ‘B’ )
Third point : ( Select the intersection at ‘C’ )
Fourth point : ( Select the intersection at ‘D’ )
Third point : ( Strike Enter to exit this command )

(B)
(A)

(D) (C)
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Figure 4.33
Solid edges may be continuously selected as in the illustration below. The key is that
the third point is picked opposite or diagonally from the second point. Follow the
prompt sequence below to create this type of multiple solid.

Command : Solid
First point : ( Select the intersection at ‘A’ )
Second point : (Select the intersection at ‘B’ )
Third point : ( Select the intersection at ‘C’ )
Fourth point : ( Select the intersection at ‘D’ )
Third point : ( Select the intersection at ‘E’ )
Fourth point : ( Select the intersection at ‘F’ )
Third point : ( Select the intersection at ‘G’ )
Fourth point : ( Select the intersection at ‘H’ )
Third point : ( Strike Enter to exit this command )

(C) (E)

(A) (D) (F)

(
(A) (A) (B) (H) (G)
(A)

Figure 4.34
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ACTIVITY 4b

EXERSICE.

4.2 In this exercise, you use the POLYGON, RECTANGULAR, DONUT, and
ELLIPSE command to draw whirlpool fixture. Try this following step to
complete your exercise.

A) Creating rectangular
1. From the File menu, choose New.
2. Choose the Start From Scratch button, under the Select Default Setting
list, select Metric, then choose OK.
3. From the Draw menu, choose Rectangular
4. Enter 0,0 at the First corner : Command Prompt. Then press ENTER
5. Enter 96,60 at the Other corner : Command prompt
6. Enter 2,29 at the First corner : Command Prompt
7. Enter 10,31 at the Other corner : Command Prompt. Then press ENTER
8. From the View menu, choose Zoom, then choose Extents

B) Using the ELLIPSE command

1. To draw an Ellipse, enter el at the command prompt.
2. Enter 5,30 at the Arc/Center/<Axis endpoint 1>: Command prompt. Then
press ENTER.
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3. Enter 91,30 at the Axis endpoint 2 : Command prompt, then press enter.
4. Enter 25 at the <Other axis distance>/Rotation : Command prompt. Then
press ENTER.

C) Using the POLYGON command

1. From the Draw menu, choose POLYGON.
2. At the Number of sides <4> : Command prompt, enter 6, then enter 3,24
at the Edge/<Center of Polygon> : Command prompt.
3. Enter i for inscribed, then enter 2 for radius. Press ENTER twice.
4. At the Number of sides <4> : Command prompt enter 6, then enter 3,36
at the Edge/<Center of Polygon> : Command prompt.
5. Enter i for inscribed, then enter 2 for radius. Then press ENTER.

D) Using the DONUT command

1. From the Draw menu, choose DONUT
2. At the Inside Diameter : Command prompt, enter 2.5
3. Enter 10 at the Outside diameter : Command prompt.
4. At the Center of doughnut : Command prompt, enter 48,30. Then press
ENTER.
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FEEDBACK TO ACTIVITY 4b

ANSWERS

4.2

Figure 4.35
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ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS BELOW.

QUESTION 4-1 :

a) List all the options to draw an arc under the Arc Command.

b) Give the suitable method to construct a circle tangent to the line segment on
another circle.

c) Give the options to draw a polygon and what is the

different between it?

QUESTION 4-2 :
a) Draw the figure below with suitable command.
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b) Draw the circuit as in figure in Schematic diagram

without scale with the suitable command

Figure 4.37
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FEEDBACK TO SELF ASSESSMENT

ANSWER 4-1

a) There are 11 options to draw an Arc under Arc Command:

* 3 point arc
* Start, Center, End
* Start, center, angle
* Start, Center, Length
* Start, end, angle
* Start, end, radius
* Start, end, direction
* Center, start, end
* Center, start, angle
* Center, start, length
* Continue

b) TTT – Tangent - Tangent – Radius Mode

c) They are 3 options to draw a polygon

• Inscribe of Circle

• Circumscribed about a Circle

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• A Polygon by edge