2011
Table Of Contents
- Contents
- Get Information
- The User Interface
- Start and Save Drawings
- Control the Drawing Views
- Organize Drawings and Layouts
- Create and Modify Objects
- Control the Properties of Objects
- Use Precision Tools
- Use Coordinates and Coordinate Systems (UCS)
- Use Dynamic Input
- Snap to Locations on Objects (Object Snaps)
- Restrict Cursor Movement
- Combine or Offset Points and Coordinates
- Specify Distances
- Extract Geometric Information from Objects
- Use a Calculator
- Draw Geometric Objects
- Change Existing Objects
- Select Objects
- Correct Mistakes
- Erase Objects
- Cut, Copy, and Paste with the Clipboard
- Modify Objects
- Modify Complex Objects
- Add Constraints to Geometry
- Define and Reference Blocks
- Work with 3D Models
- Create 3D Models
- Overview of 3D Modeling
- Create Solids and Surfaces from Lines and Curves
- Create Solids
- Create Surfaces
- Create Meshes
- Create Wireframe Models
- Add 3D Thickness to Objects
- Modify 3D Models
- Create Sections and 2D Drawings from 3D Models
- Create 3D Models
- Annotate Drawings
- Work with Annotations
- Hatches, Fills, and Wipeouts
- Notes and Labels
- Tables
- Dimensions and Tolerances
- Understand Basic Concepts of Dimensioning
- Use Dimension Styles
- Set the Scale for Dimensions
- Create Dimensions
- Modify Existing Dimensions
- Add Geometric Tolerances
- Plot and Publish Drawings
- Specify Settings for Plotting
- Save Plot Settings as Named Page Setups
- Reuse Named Page Setups
- Specify Page Setup Settings
- Select a Printer or Plotter for a Layout
- Select a Paper Size for a Layout
- Determine the Drawing Orientation of a Layout
- Set the Plot Area of a Layout
- Adjust the Plot Offset of a Layout
- Set the Plot Scale for a Layout
- Set the Lineweight Scale for a Layout
- Select a Plot Style Table for a Layout
- Set Shaded Viewport and Plot Options for a Layout
- Print or Plot Drawings
- Overview of Plotting
- Use a Page Setup to Specify Plot Settings
- Select a Printer or Plotter
- Specify the Area to Plot
- Set Paper Size
- Position the Drawing on the Paper
- Control How Objects Are Plotted
- Preview a Plot
- Plot Files to Other Formats
- Specify Settings for Plotting
- Share Data Between Files
- Reference Other Drawing Files
- Work with Data in Other Formats
- Collaborate with Others
- Render Drawings
- Draw 2D Isometric Views
- Add Lighting to Your Model
- Materials and Textures
- Render 3D Objects for Realism
- Glossary
- Index
The CAL command runs the 3D calculator utility to evaluate vector expressions
(combining points, vectors, and numbers) and real and integer expressions.
The calculator performs standard mathematical functions. It also contains a
set of specialized functions for calculations involving points, vectors, and
AutoCAD for Mac geometry. With the CAL command, you can
■ Calculate a vector from two points, the length of a vector, a normal vector
(perpendicular to the XY plane), or a point on a line
■ Calculate a distance, radius, or angle
■ Specify a point with the pointing device
■ Specify the last-specified point or intersection
■ Use object snaps as variables in an expression
■ Convert points between a UCS and the WCS
■ Filter the X, Y, and Z components of a vector
■ Rotate a point around an axis
Evaluating Expressions
CAL evaluates expressions according to standard mathematical rules of
precedence.
Mathematical operators in order of precedence
OperationOperator
Groups expressions( )
Indicates numeric exponent^
Multiplies and divides numbers*, /
Adds and subtracts numbers+, -
Calculating Points
You can use CAL whenever you need to calculate a point or a number within
a command.
For example, you enter (mid+cen)/2 to specify a point halfway between the
midpoint of a line and the center of a circle.
258 | Chapter 16 Use Precision Tools