Figure 17-1 and 17-2 show the geometry of a right angle triangle. Understanding this theory will help you to complete your AutoCAD drawings.

When a measurement is required along an inclined line as shown in Step 1, Figure 17-3, the OFFSET command cannot easily be used to make that measurement. The best method of making the measurement is by drawing a construction circle with a 1 unit radius. Use the end of the inclined line as the center location for the circle. All points on the circumference of the circle will be the radius distance (1 unit) from the center of the circle as shown in the Step 2. Draw the 0.60 diameter circle locating its center at the intersection of the construction circle and the inclined line as shown in the Step 3.

Points

A point is an AutoCAD drawing object that is one pixel in size. Its only geometry property is one XY coordinate.

Point Style

Since a point is nothing more then one pixel in size, it will not display very well in the drawing. If it is located under an existing drawing object, it will not be visible at all. Points can be set to display with an assigned style to make them easier to see and use. The point style for the current drawing is set with the Point Style dialogue box. To open the Point Style dialogue box, select Point Style in the Format Pull-down menu, See Figure 17-4 and 17-5. The size of the points can be set relative with the screen size or an absolute size. To display the points style at the correct size, when the point size is set relative to the screen, the drawing must be regenerated using the REGEN command.

AutoCAD Command: POINT

The POINT command is used to insert a point.

Shortcut: PO

Rotating the Crosshairs

The crosshairs can be rotated to any angle. Its default rotation angle is 0 degrees, as shown in Figure 17-7. When the rotation angle is 0 degrees, the X axis is horizontal and the Y axis is vertical. There are times when it can be very helpful if the crosshairs are rotated to an angle other than 0 degrees, as shown in Figure 17-8. The SNAPANG system variable is used to set the rotation angle of the crosshairs.

The DIVIDE Command

The DIVIDE command is used to divide a drawing object by inserting points on the object at calculated XY locations. It does not change the object in any way, it simply inserts points on it. It is important that the current layer is set to layer Construction when the DIVIDE command is used. That way, the points can be easily isolated from the object it is dividing. On lines and arcs, the DIVIDE command starts calculating from the endpoint of the selected object.

The DIVIDE command works different when dividing circles. Since a circle does not have an endpoint, the DIVIDE command will place the first point where the positive X axis of the crosshairs intersects the circle.

The MEASURE Command

The MEASURE command is used to divide a drawing object by inserting points on the object at specified distances along the object. It does not change the object in any way, it simply inserts points on it. It is important that the current layer is set to layer Construction when the MEASURE command is used. That way, the points can easily be isolated from the object being measured. The MEASURE command always starts the first measurement from the closest endpoint to the location where the object is selected.

The MEASURE command works different when measuring circles. Since a circle does not have an endpoint, the MEASURE command will start measuring at the point where the positive X axis of the crosshairs intersects the circle.

AutoCAD Command: DIVIDE

The DIVIDE command is used to insert points an equal distance apart by dividing the length of the drawing object selected by the number of divisions entered. The object being divided is not changed in any way by the command.

Shortcut: DIV

AutoCAD Command: MEASURE

The MEASURE command is used to insert points on a drawing object at a specified distance. The object being measured is not be changed in any way by the command.

Shortcut: ME

Step 1

Start a new drawing using the template: 2D English.

Step 2

Save and name the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Workalong 17-1. (Figure Step 2)

Step 3

Create the layers: Object and Construction. Set layer: Construction as the current layer.

Step 4

Using what you learned earlier in the book, refer to Figure Step 2 and draw lines around the perimeter of the object. (Figure Step 4)

Step 5

From the Format Pull-down menu, select Point Style . This will open the Point Style dialogue box. Select the point style (center with black background) as shown in the figure. Set the Point Size to 3% and enable Set Size Relative to Screen. (Figure Step 5A and 5B)

Step 6

Enter the DIVIDE command, as shown below, and select the inclined line on the right. (Figure Step 6A and 6B)

Command: DIVIDE

Select object to divide: P1

Enter the number of segments or [Block]: 8

Command:

Step 7

As taught earlier in the book, use the OSNAP command to open the Drafting Settings dialogue box. Enable the Node object snap mode. (Figure Step 7)

Step 8

Press F8 to enable Ortho mode. Check to ensure that it is enabled by checking the Status bar. (Figure Step 8)

Step 9

Enable object snap and draw 8 horizontal lines by snapping to the points (nodes) as the first point of each line. The length of the lines is not important. (Figure Step 9)

Step 10

Draw 7 vertical lines by snapping to the points (nodes) as the first point of each line. The length of the lines is not important. Disable Ortho mode. (Figure Step 10)

Step 11

Trim the lines to form the steps as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 11)

Step 12

Draw a line by snapping to midpoint on the top left inclined line and the midpoint of the bottom line.

Step 13

Using the DIVIDE command, divide the line into four segments. (Figure Step 13)

Step 14

Set layer: Object as the current layer. Enter the CIRCLE command and draw the three 0.40 diameter circles by snapping to the points (nodes) to locate the center of each circle. (Figure Step 14)

Step 15

Set layer: Construction as the current layer.

Step 16

Draw a construction line from the top corner to the bottom corner as shown in the figure. Ensure that you snap to the endpoints of the lines. (Figure Step 16)

Step 17

Draw a 0.5 radius construction circle with its center located at the top corner as shown in the figure. Trim the line. (Figure Step 17A and 17B)

Step 18

Enter the MEASURE command, as shown below, to insert points every 0.4325 units along the line. (Figure Step 18)

Command: MEASURE

Select object to measure: P2

Specify length of segment or [Block]: 0.4325

Command:

Step 19

The drawing should now appear as shown in the figure. To demonstrate how the point size relative to the screen works, zoom in on your drawing until it fills the screen. Then execute the REGEN command. Notice how the point style size for the points changes. Zoom back out and execute the REGEN command again. (Figure Step 19)

Step 20

Set layer: Object as the current layer. Insert 12 – 0.125 diameter circles. One with its center located at the end of the line and the others with their centers located on the points that you inserted with the MEASURE command in Step 18. (Figure Step 20)

Step 21

Set layer: Construction as the current layer. Enter the ID command, as shown below, and snap to the endpoint of the bottom line to establish a reference point. (Figure Step 21)

Command: ID

Specify point: (end) P3

X = 1.7500 Y = 4.0000 Z = 0.0000

Command:

Step 22

Enter the POINT command, as shown below, to draw 3 points at the locations of the center of polygons. (Figure Step 22)

Command: POINT

Current point modes: PDMODE=34 PDSIZE=-3.0000 Specify a point: @.75,1.5

Command: POINT

Current point modes: PDMODE=34 PDSIZE=-3.0000 Specify a point: @0,-1

Command: POINT

Current point modes: PDMODE=34 PDSIZE=-3.0000

Specify a point: @2.25,0

Command:

Step 23

Draw three 0.5 diameter circles using the points as the location of the center of the circles. Ensure that you snap to the node when locating the center of each circle. (Figure Step 23)

Step 24

Using the DIVIDE command, divide the top left circle into 6 segments. (Figure Step 24)

Step 25

Enter the SNAPANG system variable as shown below to change the angle of the cursor to 90 degrees.

Command: SNAPANG

Enter new value for SNAPANG <0>: 90

Command:

Step 26

Enter the DIVIDE command and divide the bottom left circle into 6 segments. (Figure Step 26)

Step 27

Enter the system variable SNAPANG as shown below to change the angle of the crosshairs to 22.5 degrees.

Command: SNAPANG

Enter new value for SNAPANG <90>: 22.5

Command:

Step 28

Enter the DIVIDE command and divide the bottom right circle into 8 segments. (Figure Step 28A and 28B)

Step 29

Use the SNAPANG system variable, as shown below, to change the angle of the crosshairs to 0 degrees.

Command: SNAPANG

Enter new value for SNAPANG

<22.5>: 0

Command:

Step 30

On layer Object, draw the lines for the hexagons and the octagon by snapping from point to point (node to node) as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 30)

Step 31

Change the layer of any objects that you want to reside on layer Object. Freeze layer Construction. Your completed drawing should appear as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 31)

Step 32

Save and close the drawing.

Making Inquiries

The DIST and PROPERTIES commands are used to measure distances, find sizes, and locations of drawing objects. Before using these commands, it is important to understand the importance of the UNITS command.

Displaying Units

AutoCAD stores the drawing object’s properties and locations to a very high degree of accuracy. When the drawing object’s properties are displayed, either on the Command Line or in the Properties window, AutoCAD uses the setting in the Drawing Units dialogue box to display these properties rounded off as per the current settings. The answers are always displayed in drawing units but the precision and format of the answers is controlled by the settings in the Drawing Units dialogue box.

AutoCAD Command: UNITS

The UNITS command is used to open the Drawing Units dialogue box. It is used to set the way AutoCAD displays inquiries or drawing object properties.

Shortcut: UN

 

AutoCAD Command: DIST

The DIST command is used to measure distances between two XY coordinate locations.

Shortcut: DI

To find the shortest distance between the circumference of two circles, draw a construction line from the center of one circle to the center of the other as shown in Step 1. Measure the distance between the intersections of the lines and circles as shown in Step 2. If the line is trimmed as shown in Step 3, the length of the line is the shortest distance between the circle’s circumference. See Figure 17-9.

Step 1

Open the drawing: AutoCAD 2D Workalong 17-1 . Using the SAVEAS command, save the drawing with the name: AutoCAD 2D Workalong 17-2. (Figure Step 1)

Step 2

Enter the UNITS command. It will open the Drawing Units dialogue box. Set the dialogue box to match the figure. (Figure Step 2)

Step 3

Enter the DIST command, as shown below, to measure the distance between the center of the circle and the end of the line as shown in the figure. Ensure that you snap to the center of the circle and the endpoint of the line. (Figure Step 3)

Command: DIST

Specify first point: (cen) P1

Specify second point: (end) P2

Command:

Step 4

Press F2 to open the Text window. The answer to the DIST command will display as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 4)

Step 5

Press F2 to close the Text window.

Step 6

Draw a construction line from the center of circle to center of circle as shown in the figure. Ensure that you snap to the centers of the circle at both ends. Enter the DIST command as shown below to measure the shortest distance between circumferences of the circles by snapping to intersection of the construction line and the circles. (Figure Step 6)

Command: DIST

Specify first point: (int) P3

Specify second point: (int) P4

Command:

Step 7

Press F2 to open the Text window. The answer to the DIST command will display as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 7)

Step 8

Trim the construction line as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 8)

Step 9

Open the Properties window. Without entering a command, select the line. The Properties window will display the length of the line. (Figure Step 9)

Step 10

Set the Drawing Units dialogue box, as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 10)

Step 11

Draw a line from the center of the circle to the vertex on the hexagon as shown in the figure. (Figure Step 11)

Step 12

After trimming the line, select it. Check its length and angle in the Properties window. (Figure Step 12)

Step 13

Turn layer: Construction off. Enter the ID command and snap to the center of the circle. Press F2 to open the Text window. (Figure Step 13A and 13B)

Step 14

Select the circle as shown in the figure. Take note that the Properties window displays the XY center location plus the radius, diameter, circumference, and area of the circle. (Figure Step 14)

Step 15

With the Properties window open, select the line as shown in the figure. Figure Step 15)

Step 16

Save and close the drawing.

To find the centroid (geometrical center) of any triangle, draw construction lines from each vertex to the midpoint of the opposite line of the triangle. The centroid of the triangle is the intersection of the three lines. See Figure 17-9.

Time allowed: 45 minutes.

Step 1

Draw the object shown in the figure using the layering scheme. (Figure Step 1A and 1B)

Step 2

Set the insertion units and check your drawing with the key.

Step 3

Turn layer: Key off and freeze layer: Construction.

Step 4

Using either the DIST command or the Properties window, find the following answers with the precision of 8 decimal places:

1. Length of arc A: ______________________
2. Distance from the center of circle C to center of circle E. ______________________
3. Shortest distance from corner B to the circumference of circle C. ______________________
4. The circumference of circle D: ______________________

(Check your answers on the key)

Hint 1

Using the DIVIDE command, divide the large circle into 26. (Figure Hint 1)

Hint 2

Rotate the cursor 7.5 degrees and divide the 40 diameter circle into 5. (Figure Hint 2)

Hint 3

Rotate the cursor 30 degrees and divide the 75 diameter circle into 6. (Figure Hint 3)

Hint 4

Draw 6 – 20 diameter circles locating their centers on the points. (Figure Hint 4)

Hint 5

To draw the polygons, rotate the cursor to the appropriate angle as shown in the list below. (Figure Hint 5A and 5B)

Triangle = 90 degrees

Square = 45 degrees

Pentagon = 90 degrees

Hexagon = 90 degrees

Heptagon = 90 degrees

Octagon = 22.5 degrees

Time allowed: 50 minutes.

Step 1

Draw the object shown in the figure using the layering scheme. (Figure Step 1A and 1B)

Step 2

Set the insertion units and check your drawing with the key.

Step 3

Turn layer: Key off and freeze layer: Construction.

Hint 1

Using the DIVIDE command, divide the inclined line into 12. (Figure Hint 1)

Hint 2

Construct the steps using ortho mode. (Figure Hint 2)

Hint 3

Trim the steps and change the layer they reside on to layer: Object. Offset the inclined line and draw a circle to measure the distance along the inclined line. (Figure Hint 3)

Hint 4

Draw the triangle by offsetting the three outsides 0.75 inches as shown in the dimensioned drawing. Using the Geometry Lesson: Finding the Centroid of any Triangle, find the centroid of the triangle and draw a 0.35 diameter circle using the intersection of the lines to locate its center. (Figure Hint 4)

Hint 5

Offset the outside lines of the triangle 0.20 inches towards the center. (Figure Hint 5)

Hint 6

Offset the inside lines 0.10 inches on each side. (Figure Hint 6)

Hint 7

Trim all lines and the circle. Fillet all corners using a radius of 0.05 inches. The fillets should always be inserted last. (Figure Hint 7)

Hint 8

Change the layer of all objects to layer: Object. (Figure Hint 8)