Datasheet

18
|
CHAPTER 1 The Basics of auTocaD civil 3D
Labeling Lines and Curves
You can draw lines many ways in an AutoCAD-based environment. The tools found on the
Draw panel of the Home tab create lines that are no more intelligent than those created by the
standard AutoCAD Line command. How the Civil 3D lines differ from those created by the reg-
ular Line command isn’t in the resulting entity, but in the process of creating them. Figure 1.15
shows the available line commands.
Note that you can switch between any of the Line commands without exiting the command.
For example, if your first location is a point object, use Line By Point Object; then, without leav-
ing the command, go back to the Lines/Curves menu and choose any Line or Curve command
to continue creating your linework. You can also press the Esc key once, while in a Lines/Curves
menu command, to resume the regular Line command.
Coordinate Line Commands
The next few commands discussed in this section help you create a line using Civil 3D points
and/or coordinate inputs. Each command requires you to specify a Civil 3D point, a location
in space, or a typed coordinate input. These Line tools are useful when your drawing includes
Civil 3D points that will serve as a foundation for linework, such as the edge of pavement shots,
wetlands lines, or any other points you’d like to connect with a line.
li n e co m m a n d
The Create Line command on the Draw panel of the Home tab issues the standard AutoCAD
Line command. It’s equivalent to typing line on the command line or clicking the Line tool on
the Draw toolbar.
cr e a t e li n e by Po i n t # ra n g e co m m a n d
The Create Line By Point # Range command prompts you for a point number. You can type in an
individual point number, press ↵, and then type in another point number. A line is drawn con-
necting those two points. You can also type in a range of points, such as 640-644. Civil 3D draws
Figure 1.14
The context-
sensitive Ribbon
016817c01.indd 18 5/24/11 10:17:43 AM