Drawing lines accurately
LINE is the command you will use more than any other. Learn its options and a reliable routine for drawing lines that are exactly the right length and angle.
In this lesson you will
- Draw connected line segments with LINE
- Use the Close and Undo options
- Draw lines at exact angles
- Check and correct line lengths
How LINE works
LINE (L) draws straight segments. Each segment is a separate object — after drawing a rectangle with LINE you have four lines. The command keeps going, starting each new segment from the end of the last, until you press Enter, Space or Esc.
Options while drawing: Close (C) joins back to the very first point and ends the command; Undo (U) removes the last segment.
A reliable routine
- 1Turn on Ortho (F8) or Polar (F10) and Object snap (F3).
- 2Start
Land pick or type the first point. - 3Point in the direction of the segment and type its length; press Enter.
- 4Repeat for each segment.
- 5Type
Cto close a shape, or press Enter to finish.
Angled lines
Three ways: type polar coordinates (@2400<30); set Polar tracking to the angle you need (right-click the Polar button › choose 15°, 30°, 45° or add your own) and use direct distance entry; or with Dynamic Input type the length, press Tab, type the angle.
For a line defined by a rise and run — such as a roof at 1 in 4 — use relative coordinates: @4000,1000.
Checking your work
Click a line and look at Length and Angle in Properties (Ctrl+1). You can type a new length there to fix it — the line changes from its start point. LIST (LI) prints everything about an object in the text window.
Continuing from the last point
When LINE asks for the first point, pressing Enter starts from the end of the last line or arc you drew. This lets you stop, check something, and carry on exactly where you left off.
Quick reference
| Command / tool | How to start it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| LINE | L | Draws connected straight segments |
| Close | C inside LINE | Closes to the first point |
| LIST | LI | Lists an object's data |
| JOIN | J | Joins lines into a polyline or longer line |
Common mistakes
Lines overlap because you drew twice over the same edge.
Use
OVERKILLto remove duplicates.Shapes don't close exactly.
Use the Close option instead of clicking near the first point.
Exercise
Draw a gable end elevation
- Draw a 7200-wide base line.
- Draw walls up 2700 at each end.
- From the top of the left wall draw the roof at 25°:
@3972<25(approximately), then join to the right wall with a line snapped to its top. - Check each length in Properties.
- Use
LISTon the roof line.
You should end up with: A simple house outline with a pitched roof.
Checklist
0 of 4 checked · saved on this device
Lesson quiz
After drawing a rectangle with LINE, how many objects do you have?
Finished this lesson?
Taking the quiz marks it complete too. Your course page picks up where you stopped.
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