Insert
DraftingPolyline
The Polyline command enables you to create geometric shapes consisting of consecutive lines and arcs. As you create the lines and arcs, the program displays a preview image of the entity you are about to add. Since the program automatically recognizes significant geometry, such as the endpoints and center points of entities, you can easily create closed shapes. When used to create or modify a profile inside one of the profile environment, the Polyline command also automatically applies tangency, perpendicularity, horizontal or vertical orientation, and coincidence constraints, as appropriate.
When you start the Polyline command, the application is initially in the line mode. Once you specify the first endpoint, you can switch to the arc mode, where you can draw two types of arcs. The Mode drop-down list provides the following options (also available in the context menu) to create lines and arcs:
After drawing the arc, the program automatically returns to the line mode. You can switch from line mode to arc mode at any time while sketching.
Normally, you create consecutive lines and arcs. In other words, the first endpoint of each new entity is the second endpoint of the previous entity. If you wish to break the current chain of lines and arcs without ending the command (for example, to sketch another portion of the shape), select Break Sequence from the context menu. You can then specify a new first endpoint.
After specifying the first endpoint of the entity, the program displays a preview image of the entity you are about to add. The size of the entity changes as you move the cursor. The program also displays dotted lines to indicate significant geometry — such as horizontal and vertical lines, tangents and perpendiculars, and angles and lengths that align with other portions of entities you have already drawn. When you move the cursor to geometrically significant locations, the preview image changes color. You can also use Snap to attach to significant geometry, such as endpoints, midpoints, and center points. The entity is not actually added until you specify its second endpoint.
The points can be defined by making use of the mini-dialog boxes that are displayed. The value displayed in the mini-dialog box is continually updated according to the new position of the mouse while it is moving. You can enter and then block the value in a mini-dialog box by pressing B on the keyboard.
Using the Option drop-down list, it is possible to choose between a Polar (P) and a Cartesian (C) reference system to define the points.
When the Polyline command is used in the 3D Profile environment, its selection list contains the Work Plane on Last Point check box, which automatically places the Work Plane on the last selected point to draw the polyline. This is very helpful in drawing 3D profiles.
When you create a closed shape, the Polyline command automatically ends.