Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
6 for information on setting the current properties with the tools on the Home
tab's Properties panel.
Make sure that you use one of AutoCAD's precision tools, such as object snaps,
typed coordinates, or tracking, to ensure that you specify each object point pre-
cisely. Chapter 7 describes these tools.
Follow these steps to draw a series of line segments by using the LINE command:
1. Set an appropriate layer current and set other object properties that you want
applied to the line segments that you'll draw.
2. Click the Home tab on the Ribbon.
The panels on the Home tab contain the most commonly used commands in
AutoCAD.
3. Click the Line button on the Draw panel of the Ribbon's Home tab, or
type L and press Enter.
AutoCAD starts the LINE command and prompts you to select the first point.
4. Specify the starting point by clicking a point or typing coordinates.
Remember to use one of the precision techniques I describe in Chapter 7 if you're
doing real drafting. For the first point, object snap, snap, and typing coordinates all
work well.
AutoCAD prompts you to specify the other endpoint of the first line segment. The
command window prompt shows
Specify next point or [Undo]:
You can also see command prompts at the Dynamic Input tooltip beside the
crosshairs by pressing the down-arrow key (press F12 or click the Dynamic Input
status bar button to enable Dynamic Input mode). The arrow icon on the dynamic-
input tooltip is your indicator that there are options available.
5. Specify additional points by clicking or typing.
Again, use one of the AutoCAD precision techniques if you're doing real drafting.
For the second and subsequent points, all the techniques mentioned in Step 4 work
well, as do ortho, polar, object snap tracking, and direct distance entry.
After you specify the third point, AutoCAD adds the Close option. The command
prompt shows
Specify next point or [Close/Undo]:
6. When you're finished drawing segments, end with one of these steps:
• Either press Enter or right-click anywhere in the drawing area and choose
Enter from the right-click menu to leave the figure open.
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