[Search tip detail and code files using keywords, tip number, author name, etc ]
 
Bisect and Angle, to Infinity, in Two Directions at Once
Tip# 3769 By Matt Sibum On 06-Nov-2011
0
Rated By 0 users
Categories : Linear Objects
Software type : AutoCAD 2012
Rename File To : No Files to download.
Explore the options within the XLine command.

Matt Sibum shares a useful option for the XLine command in AutoCAD.

"I have always used the XLine command to draw construction lines on drawings. Recently I discovered another option when entering the command: Bisect. To use this option, specify a vertex point, then the first angle, followed by the second angle, and AutoCAD draws an xline halfway between the two angles. In the past, I would draw an arc between two angles, followed by a line from vertex to midpoint of the arc, to get the exact same line that this function performs in a fraction of the time."

Notes from Cadalyst Tip Patrol: So many times we (by we, I mean me) use commands and tools in AutoCAD, but we forget that most commands have options as well. If we don't look at the Command line from time to time, we won't notice these options. The XLine command, which creates a construction line that extends infinitely in both directions, has several options. It is drawn by selecting two points. The other options available to us are to draw the xline horizontally, vertically, at an angle, at a bisected angle, and at an offset. Simply start the command, type in the appropriate option, and follow the onscreen instructions.

 

Average Rating:
0


User comments
Comment by Cooper,Kent
Posted on 2012-02-03 10:10:47
When there are existing straight entities or sub-entities (of any type, including nested ones) that you want to bisect the angle between, try Tip #3756, "Bisect Angle/Spacing between Straight Entities." It requires only calling up the routine and selecting two things. That saves at least two steps over calling up Xline, giving it the Bisect option, giving it a vertex point (which might by itself involve up to three steps, for example if it's at an Apparent Intersection), and giving it two points to define the angles you want the bisector between. And the same routine will also bisect the distance between two parallel entities or sub-entities (you don't have to ask for that differently -- it knows), which Xline has no option to do.