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AutoCAD Command List (' = transparent command) APERTURE CHANGE DIVIDE EXTEND ISOPLANE ARC CHPROP DONUT FILES LAYER AREA CIRCLE DOUGHNUT FILL LIMITS ARRAY COLOR DRAGMODE FILLET LINE ATTDEF COPY DTEXT FILMROLL LINETYPE ATTDISP DBLIST DVIEW 'GRAPHSCR LIST ATTEDIT DDATTE DXBIN GRID LOAD ATTEXT DDEDIT DXFIN HANDLES LTSCALE AUDIT 'DDEMODES DXFOUT HATCH MEASURE AXIS 'DDLMODES EDGESURF 'HELP / '? MENU BASE 'DDRMODES ELEV HIDE MINSERT BLIPMODE DDUCS ELLIPSE ID MIRROR BLOCK DELAY END IGESIN MOVE BREAK DIM/DIM1 ERASE IGESOUT MSLIDE CHAMFER DIST EXPLODE INSERT MSPACE \ AutoCAD Command List (' = transparent command) MULTIPLE PSPACE RSCRIPT STYLE VIEWPORTS MVIEW PURGE RULESURF TABLET VIEWRES OFFSET QTEXT SAVE TABSURF VPLAYER OOPS QUIT SCALE TEXT VPOINT ORTHO REDEFINE SCRIPT 'TEXTSCR VPORTS OSNAP REDO SELECT TIME VSLIDE 'PAN 'REDRAW 'SETVAR TRACE WBLOCK PEDIT 'REDRAWALL SHADE TRIM XBIND PFACE REGEN SHAPE U XREF PLAN REGENALL SHELL/SH UCS 'ZOOM PLINE REGENAUTO SKETCH UCSICON 3DFACE PLOT RENAME SNAP UNDEFINE 3DMESH POINT 'RESUME SOLID UNDO 3DPOLY POLYGON REVSURF STATUS UNITS PRPLOT ROTATE STRETCH 'VIEW At the "Command:" prompt, you can enter RETURN to repeat the last command. \ AutoCAD System Variable List ACADPREFIX CELTYPE DIMCLRD DIMTAD DWGPREFIX ACADVER CHAMFERA DIMCLRE DIMFAC ELEVATION AFLAGS CHAMFERB DIMCLRT DIMTIH EXPERT ANGBASE CLAYER DIMDLE DIMTIX EXTMAX ANGDIR CMDECHO DIMDLI DIMTM EXTMIN APERTURE COORDS DIMEXE DIMTP FILEDIA AREA CVPORT DIMEXO DIMTOFL FILLETRAD ATTDIA DATE DIMGAP DIMTOH FILLMODE ATTMODE DIMALT DIMLFAC DIMTOL FONTZ ATTREQ DIMALTD DIMLIM DIMTSZ GRIDMODE AUNITS DIMALTF DIMPOST DIMTVP GRIDUNIT AUPREC DIMAPOST DIMRND DIMTXT HANDLES AXISMODE DIMASO DIMSAH DIMZIN HIGHLIGHT AXISUNIT DIMASZ DIMSCALE DISTANCE INSBASE BACKZ DIMBLK DIMSE1 DRAGMODE LASTANGLE BLIPMODE DIMBLK1 DIMSE2 DRAGP1 LASTPOINT CDATE DIMBLK2 DIMSHO DRAGP2 LASTPT3D CECOLOR DIMCEN DIMSOXD DWGNAME LENSLENGTH \ AutoCAD System Variable List LIMCHECK POPUPS SPLINETYPE TRACEWID USERR5 LIMMAX QTEXTMODE SURFTAB1 UCSFOLLOW VIEWCTR LIMMIN RATVMAX SURFTAB2 UCSICON VIEWDIR LTSCALE REGENMODE SURFTYPE UCSNAME VIEWMODE LUNITS SCREENSIZE SURFU UCSORG VIEWSIZE LUPREC SHADEDGE SURFV UCSXDIR VIEWTWIST MAXCTVP SHADEDIF TARGET UCSYDIR VISRETAIN MAXSORT SKETCHINC TDCREATE UNITMODE VPOINTX MENUECHO SKPOLY TDINDWG USERI1 VPOINTY MENUNAME SNAPANG TDUPDATE USERI2 VPOINTZ MIRRTEXT SNAPBASE TDUSRTIMER USERI3 VXMAX ORTHOMODE SNAPISOPAIR TEMPPREFIX USERI4 VXMIN OSMODE SNAPMODE TEXTEVAL USERI5 WORLDUCS PDMODE SNAPSTYL TEXTSIZE USERR1 WORLDVIEW PDSIZE SNAPUNIT TEXTSTYLE USERR2 PERIMETER SPLFRAME THICKNESS USERR3 PICKBOX SPLINESEGS TILEMODE USERR4 At the "Command:" prompt you can enter any of these system variables. \ AutoCAD AME Command List SOLAREA SOLFEAT SOLMAT SOLSECT SOLVAR SOLBOX SOLFILL SOLMESH SOLSEP SOLWEDGE SOLCHAM SOLIDIFY SOLMOVE SOLSPHERE SOLWIRE SOLCHP SOLIN SOLOUT SOLSUB SOLCONE SOLINT SOLPROF SOLTORUS SOLCYL SOLLIST SOLPURGE SOLUNION SOLEXT SOLMASSP SOLREV SOLUCS AutoCAD AME System Variables SOLAMEVER SOLDELENT SOLHSIZE SOLPAGELEN SOLSUBDIV SOLAREAU SOLDISPLAY SOLLENGTH SOLRENDER SOLVOLUME SOLAXCOL SOLHANGLE SOLMASS SOLSERVMSG SOLWDENS SOLDECOMP SOLHPAT SOLMATCURR SOLSOLIDIFY \ You can enter points, or coordinates, in any of the following ways: Absolute: x,y Relative: @deltax,deltay Polar: @dist<angle For the commands that accept 3D points, you can include a Z coordinate in the absolute and relative formats: Absolute: x,y,z Relative: @deltax,deltay,deltaz Spherical: @dist<ang1<ang2 Cylindrical: @dist<ang,z If you omit the Z coordinate, the current elevation is used. Polar, spherical, and cylindrical coordinates can now be entered with or without a leading "@". The leading "@" is the relative format while absence of the "@" indicates absolute format. A leading "*" (or "*" following "@") denotes a World point. \ X/Y/Z filters can be used to compose a full point from the X, Y, and Z components of intermediate points. For instance, the filter ".X" will instruct AutoCAD to use just the X coordinate of the following point. The Y (and possibly Z) values will then be requested. See also: "Entity Selection" in chapter 2 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ Object selection: ("Select objects:") (point) = One object Multiple = Multiple objects selected by pointing Last = Last object Previous = All objects in the Previous selection-set Window = Objects within Window Crossing = Objects within or Crossing window BOX = Automatic Crossing (to the left) or Window (to the right) AUto = Automatic BOX (if pick in empty area) or single object pick SIngle = One selection (any type) Add = Add mode: adds following objects to selection-set Remove = Remove mode: removes following objects from selection-set Undo = Undoes/removes last When you are satisfied with the selection-set as it stands, enter RETURN (except for Single mode, which does not require an extra RETURN). See also: "Entity Selection" in chapter 2 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ACADPREFIX ACADPREFIX The directory path, if any, specified by the ACAD environment variable (read-only). \ACADVER ACADVER This is the AutoCAD version number (read-only). \AFLAGS AFLAGS Attribute flags bit-code for Attdef command (sum of the following): 1 = Invisible 2 = Constant 4 = Verify 8 = Preset \ANGBASE ANGBASE Angle 0 direction (with respect to the current UCS). \ANGDIR ANGDIR Angle direction (with respect to the current UCS). 1 = clockwise angles 0 = counterclockwise \APERTURE The APERTURE command governs the size of the "target" crosshairs for object snap purposes. Format: APERTURE Object snap target height (1-50 pixels) <default>: (number) The object snap target height can also be changed through the APERTURE system variable using the SETVAR command. See also: "Aperture Command" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ARC The ARC command draws an arc (circle segment) as specified by any of the following methods. - Three points on the arc - Start point, center, endpoint - Start point, center, included angle - Start point, center, length of chord - Start point, endpoint, radius - Start point, endpoint, included angle - Start point, endpoint, starting direction - Continuation of previous line or arc 3-point format: ARC Center/<Start point>: (point) Center/End/<Second point>: (point) End point: (point) Options: A = Included Angle D = Starting Direction L = Length of chord C = Center point E = Endpoint R = Radius To continue previous line or arc, reply to first prompt with RETURN. See also: "Arc Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ARC,Center/<Start point> Enter a point that is the starting point of the arc. Or, enter "c" to specify the center (radius point) of the arc first. \ARC,Center/End/<Second point> The start point of the arc has been selected. Options: - <Default>: Enter a second point on the arc. - Enter "c" to specify the arc's center (radius point) next. - Enter "e" to specify the arc's endpoint next. \ARC,Direction Enter the arc's direction from the start point (the arc will be tangent to the direction line at the start point). The direction can be entered as an angle or be specified by pointing to a single point. In this case AutoCAD determines the direction as the line from the start point to the specified point. \AREA The AREA command calculates the area and perimeter enclosed by a sequence of points you enter, or defined by a specified circle or polyline. A running total of measured areas can be kept, and you can ask AutoCAD to add or subtract subsequent areas from the total. Format: AREA <First point>/Entity/Add/Subtract: (point) Next point: (point) Next point: (point) Next point: ...press RETURN to endpoint entry Area = nnnn Perimeter = nnnn If add or subtract mode has been selected, AREA then adds to (or subtracts from) the running total, displays the running total, and repeats the options prompt. The options are: Add - Adds the area to the running total. Subtract - Subtracts the area from the running total. Entity - Computes the area of a selected Circle or Polyline. RETURN - A null reply exits the AREA command. See also: "Area Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ AREA is also a read-only system variable that displays the true area computed by AREA, LIST or DBLIST. \ARRAY The ARRAY command makes multiple copies of selected objects, in a rectangular or circular pattern. Format: ARRAY Select objects: (Show what to copy) Rectangular or Polar array (R/P): For a rectangular array, you are asked for the number of columns and rows, and the spacing between them. The array is built along a baseline defined by the current Snap rotation angle set by the SNAP Rotate command. For a polar, or circular, array, you must first supply a center point. Following this, you must supply two of the following three parameters: - The number of items in the array - The number of degrees to fill - The angle between items in the array Optionally, you can rotate the items as the array is drawn. See also: "Array Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ATTDEF The ATTDEF command creates an Attribute Definition. First, you specify the modes for this Attribute Definition. The modes are: Invisible - Does not display, but allows extraction. Constant - All occurrences of this Attribute have the same value. Verify - Issues extra prompts to verify a proper value. Preset - Does not prompt for this Attribute during Block insertion. Format: ATTDEF Attribute modes -- Invisible:N Constant:N Verify:N Preset:N Enter (ICVP) to change, RETURN when done: The tag, prompt, and default value for the Attribute are then requested, as are its location, height, and rotation angle. Attribute tag: (up to 31 chars; letters, digits, $, -, _) Attribute prompt: Default attribute value: Justify/Style/<Start Point>: Height <default>: Rotation angle <default>: See also: "Attdef Command" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ATTDEF,Attribute tag Enter up to 31 characters for the attribute tag. The tag can contain any characters except blanks, and must not be null. It is used to identify each occurrence of the attribute in your drawing. \ATTDEF,Attribute prompt Enter the prompt line that you want to appear later when a Block containing this Attribute Definition is inserted. If you specify a null prompt (by responding with RETURN), the attribute tag is used as the prompt. \ATTDEF,Default Attribute value \ATTDEF,Attribute value Enter the default Attribute value. If you enter a null response, no default value will be displayed later when a Block containing this Attribute Definition is inserted. \ATTDISP The ATTDISP command can be used to override the visibility mode set for Attributes on a global basis. Format: ATTDISP Normal/ON/OFF <current>: Normal - Visible Attributes are displayed, invisible Attributes are not. On - All Attributes are made visible. Off - All Attributes are made invisible. See also: "Attdisp Command - Visibility Control" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ATTDIA ATTDIA A value of 1 causes the INSERT command to use a dialogue box for entry of Attribute values; 0 to issue prompts. \ATTEDIT The ATTEDIT command allows you to modify certain aspects of Attributes independent of the Blocks in which they reside. You can perform global or individual editing, and you can restrict the operation to certain Blocks, Attribute tags, and Attribute values, or to just those Attributes that are currently visible on the screen. Format: ATTEDIT Edit Attributes one by one? <Y> (N = global) Block name specification <*>: Attribute tag specification <*>: Attribute value specification <*>: Wild-card characters can be included in the responses. See also: "Attedit Command - Editing Attributes" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ATTEXT The ATTEXT command is used to extract Attribute information from a drawing for analysis by another program or for transfer to a database. You can extract the whole drawing or only a selected set of entities. Format: ATTEXT CDF, SDF, or DXF Attribute extract (or Entities)? <C>: If you respond with "cdf", "sdf", or "dxf", the entire drawing will be extracted. If you respond with "e," the "Select objects:" prompt appears, and you can select a set of entities to extract. ATTEXT then again prompts: CDF, SDF, or DXF Attribute extract? <C>: The extract formats are as follows: CDF - Comma Delimited Format SDF - Standard (Fixed field) Format DXF - Drawing Interchange Format CDF format is the default Attribute extraction format. See also: "Attext Command -- Attribute Extraction" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ATTMODE ATTMODE Attribute display mode 0 = Off 1 = Normal 2 = On \ATTREQ ATTREQ A value of 0 assumes defaults for the values of all Attributes during the insert of Blocks; 1 enables prompts (or dialogue box) for Attribute values, as selected by ATTDIA. \AUDIT The AUDIT command invokes a drawing database audit and optional recovery. Auditing range-checks all header variables, verifies that names in symbol tables are valid and unique, checks that all floating point values are well defined, and verifies the validity of extended entity data. An audit log file named <DWGNAME>.ADT is created (or the existing log is replaced), reporting errors found and the corrective action taken, if any. Format: AUDIT Fix any errors detected? <N>: If you respond with "y", the drawing database is modified, fixing any errors found. A null response (or "n") causes only the audit log to be written. See also: "Audit Command -- Examining a Drawing" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \AUNITS AUNITS Angular units mode 0 = Decimal degrees 1 = Degrees/minutes/seconds 2 = Grads 3 = Radians 4 = Surveyor's units \AUPREC AUPREC Angular units decimal places. \AXIS The AXIS command controls the display of axes, or ruler lines, along the edge of the graphics display. Format: AXIS Tick spacing(X) or ON/OFF/Snap/Aspect <current>: Spacing(X) - A simple number sets axis tick spacing in drawing units. A number followed by "X" (e.g., "2X") sets the tick spacing to a multiple of the current snap resolution. A value of zero locks the tick spacing to the current snap resolution. ON - Turns axis on with previous spacing. OFF - Turns axis off. Snap - Locks the tick spacing to the current snap resolution (same as a spacing value of zero). Aspect - Permits an axis with different horizontal and vertical spacing. See also: "Axis Command -- Ruler Lines" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \AXISMODE AXISMODE Axis display on if 1, off if 0. \AXISUNIT AXISUNIT Axis spacing, X, and Y. \BACKZ BACKZ Back clipping plane offset for the current viewport, in drawing units. Meaningful only if the back clipping bit in VIEWMODE is on. The distance of the back clipping plane from the camera point can be found by subtracting BACKZ from the camera-to-target distance (read-only). \BASE BASE The BASE command defines a reference point for insertion and rotation of the current drawing in subsequent drawings. Format: BASE Base point <default>: (point) See also: "Base Command" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \BLIPMODE The BLIPMODE command controls the generation of marker "blips" - the small temporary marks drawn whenever you designate a point. When BLIPMODE is on, blips are drawn; when off, blips are suppressed. Format: BLIPMODE ON/OFF <current>: See also: "Blipmode Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. BLIPMODE is also a system variable. Using the SETVAR command, blip markers are set on if 1 or off if 0. \BLOCK The BLOCK command allows you to name a group of objects that can then be INSERTed as a unit anywhere in the current drawing, with specified X and Y scales and rotation. format: BLOCK Block name (or ?): (name) Insertion base point: (point) Select objects: (select) The objects you select will be erased as they are copied into the Block. If you want to restore them, use the OOPS command. If you respond to the "Block name" prompt with a "?", AutoCAD will list the names of all Blocks currently defined in this drawing. See also: "Block Command -- Block Definition" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \BLOCK,Insertion base point Designate the point to be used as the base (reference) point for subsequent insertions of this Block. This will also be the point about which the Block can be rotated during insertion. A full 3D point is accepted; if you omit the Z coordinate, the current elevation is used. \BREAK The BREAK command deletes part of a Line, Trace, Circle, Arc, or Polyline, or splits the object into two objects of the same type. Format: BREAK Select object: (select one object) Enter first point: (point) Enter second point: (point) If you break a circle, it changes to an arc by deleting the portion from the first point to the second, going counterclockwise. Breaking a Polyline with nonzero width will cause the ends to be cut square. If you select the object by pointing to it, the break is assumed to begin at the selection point, and the next prompt is: Enter second point (or F for first point): If you want to begin the break at a point where some other object intersects with the object to be broken, choose an unambiguous point to select the object, and then enter "f" in response to this prompt. You can then select the beginning and ending points of the break. See also: "Break Command -- Partial Erase" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \CDATE CDATE Calendar date/time (read-only). \CECOLOR CECOLOR Current entity color (read-only). \CELTYPE CELTYPE Current entity linetype (read-only). \CHAMFER The CHAMFER command trims two intersecting lines (or two adjacent segments of a Polyline) at a given distance from their intersection and connects the trimmed ends with a new line. Different trim distances can be set for the two lines, and are retained with the drawing. If the specified lines do not intersect, CHAMFER will extend them until they do, and then proceed as above. Chamfers can be applied to an entire Polyline, chamfering all the intersections. Format: CHAMFER Polyline/Distances/<select first line>: D - Sets chamfer distances P - Chamfers entire Polyline See also: "Chamfer Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \CHAMFERA CHAMFERA First chamfer distance. \CHAMFERB CHAMFERB Second chamfer distance. \CHANGE The CHANGE command allows you to modify or change the properties of existing objects in the drawing. Format: CHANGE Select objects: (select) Properties/<Change point>: In the following descriptions, the selected CHANGE Point is abbreviated "cp". Note that the current object being changed is highlighted and can be dragged as you change its location. Line - Endpoint closest to CP changes to CP (ORTHO can affect this). Circle - Radius changes so that CP is on circumference. Block - Location changes to CP. New angle can be specified. Text - Location changes to CP. New text style, height, angle, and text string can be specified. Attribute Definition - Same as Text, plus Attribute tag can be changed. \ The CHANGE command's Properties option permits you to change any or all of the following properties of the selected objects: - Layer - Color - Linetype - Thickness Format: CHANGE Selects objects: (do so) Properties/<Change point>: P Change what property (Color/LAyer/LType/Thickness)? Enter the option keyword for the property you want to change. You can abbreviate each option to its capitalized letters. See also: "Change Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \CHANGE,Properties/<Change point>: If you enter "p" for change property, any of the following properties can be changed: - Layer - Color - Linetype - Thickness \CHPROP The CHPROP command is a subset of the CHANGE command which does not include CHANGE <point>. The properties which can be changed include color, linetype, layer, and thickness. Format: CHPROP Select objects: (Select) Change what property (Color/LAyer/LType/Thickness) ? Enter the option keyword for the property you want to change. You can abbreviate each option to its capitalized letters. See also: "Chprop Command -- Change Common Entity Properties" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \CIRCLE The CIRCLE command is used to draw a circle. You can specify the circle in several ways. The simplest method is by center point and radius. Format: CIRCLE 3P/2P/TTR/<Center point>: (point) Diameter/<Radius>: (radius value) To specify the radius, you can designate a point on the circumference of the circle or enter a radius value. If it is more convenient to enter the diameter than the radius, reply to the "Diameter/<Radius>" prompt with "d". The circle can also be specified using three points on the circumference (reply "3p" when prompted for the center point), or by designating two endpoints of its diameter (reply "2p"). For these methods, you can "drag" the last point or specify object snap "Tangent" points. In addition, you can draw a circle by specifying two lines (and/or other circles) to which the circle should be tangent, and a radius. Enter "ttr" for this option. See also: "Circle Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \CLAYER CLAYER Current layer (read-only). \CMDECHO CMDECHO When the AutoLISP (command) function is used, prompts and input are echoed if this variable is 1, but not if it is 0. \COLOR \COLORS The COLOR command sets the color for new entities. Color numbers 1 through 7 have standard meanings as follows: 1 - Red, 2 - Yellow, 3 - Green, 4 - Cyan, 5 - Blue, 6 - Magenta, 7 - White You can control the color of each entity individually or by layer. To change the color of existing objects, use the CHANGE command. To control layer colors, use LAYER. Format: COLOR New entity color <current>: You can respond with a color number from 1 to 255, or a standard color name such as "Red". All new entities will be drawn in this color, regardless of which layer is current, until you again use the COLOR command. \ If you respond with "BYLAYER", new objects you draw will inherit the color assigned to the layer upon which they are drawn. If you respond with "BYBLOCK", objects will be drawn in white until they are grouped into a Block. Then, whenever that Block is inserted, the objects will inherit the color of the Block insertion. See also: "Color Command -- Set Entity Color" in chapter 7 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \COORDS COORDS If zero, coordinate display is updated on point picks only. If 1, display of absolute coordinates is continuously updated. If 2, distance and angle from last point are displayed when a distance or angle is requested. \COPY The COPY command is used to duplicate one or more existing drawing entities at another location (or locations) without erasing the original. Format: COPY Select objects: (select) <Base point or displacement>/Multiple: Second point of displacement: (if base selected above) Use any of the entity selection methods to select the objects to COPY. Then enter an (x,y,z) displacement vector, or specify two points to indicate how far the copied objects are to be moved. To make multiple copies, respond to the "Base point" prompt with "m". The "Base point" prompt then reappears, followed by repeated "Second point" prompts. When you have made all the copies you need, give a null response to the "Second point" prompt. See also: "Copy Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \COPY,<Base point or displacement> Enter an (x,y,z) displacement vector, or specify any point to be used as the first of two points to "show" AutoCAD how far to move the copied object(s). (Object snap modes can be used.) Or, enter "m" to make multiple copies of the selected object(s). The "Base point" prompt reappears, followed by repeated "Second point" prompts. To enter an (x,y,z) displacement vector when making multiple copies, enter "0,0,0" as the base point, and the desired (x,y,z) offset as the second point of displacement. \COPY,Second point Specify a second point to "show" AutoCAD the displacement from the base point. If you entered an (x,y,z) displacement vector at the "Base point" prompt, enter a null response to this prompt. If you are in Multiple Copy mode and have made all the copies you need, enter a null response to end the command. \CVPORT CVPORT The identification number of the current viewport. \DATE DATE Julian date/time (read-only). \DBLIST The DBLIST command produces a complete list of the contents of the drawing database for the current drawing. This command is used mostly for debugging. Format: DBLIST You can use CTRL S to pause, and CTRL C to cancel the listing. If you want to echo the listing to your printer, use CTRL Q. See also: "Dblist Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DDATTE DDATTE The DDATTE command lets you examine or change the values of a Block's Attributes by means of a dialogue box. Dialogue boxes work only with certain display drivers. See also: "Ddatte Command -- Attribute Editing via Dialogue Box" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DDEDIT The DDEDIT command allows the editing of both Text and Attribute Definitions. DDEDIT uses features of the Advanced User Interface (AUI), and works only if the display device supports the AUI. DDEDIT can be used in either paper space or model space, whichever is active when the command is issued. Format: DDEDIT <Select a TEXT or ATTDEF object>/Undo: Pick either a line of text or an attribute definition (previously defined with the ATTDEF command). Only point or Last selection is permitted. DDEDIT continues to prompt for a text or attribute object after each edit is completed. You can use the Undo feature immediately after completing an edit to return to the previous value. See also: "Ddedit Command -- Text and Attribute Editing" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DDEMODES The DDEMODES command lets you change various entity drawing modes (current layer, color, linetype, text style, elevation, and thickness) using dialogue boxes. Dialogue boxes work only with certain display drivers. See also: "Ddemodes Command -- Current Properties Dialogue Box" in chapter 7 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DDLMODES The DDLMODES command lets you create new layers, rename existing layers, select a different current layer, and control the visibility, color, freeze/thaw state, and linetype assigned to existing layers, using dialogue boxes. Dialogue boxes work only with certain display drivers. See also: "Ddlmodes Command -- Layer Control Dialogue Box" in chapter 7 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DDRMODES The DDRMODES command lets you control the settings of various drawing aids, such as Snap, Grid, and Axis, using dialogue boxes. Dialogue boxes work only with certain display drivers. See also: "Ddrmodes Command -- Drawing Aids Dialogue Box" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DDUCS The DDUCS command displays a dialogue box that provides all of the functionality of the UCS command; you can also use it to name or rename existing User Coordinate Systems. Dialogue boxes work only with certain display drivers. See also: "Dducs -- The UCS Dialogue Box" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DELAY The DELAY command is used in command scripts to allow the display to be viewed before the next command is automatically issued. DELAY times are designed to be approximately 1 millisecond per increment, but are ultimately a function of the computer equipment running AutoCAD. Format DELAY Delay time in milliseconds: (number) The larger the number, the longer the delay. See also: "Command Scripts" in chapter 11 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DIM The DIM command enters Dimensioning mode. The commands allowed during Dimensioning mode are listed next. Each can be abbreviated to the capital letters shown. A space or RETURN will repeat the previous DIM subcommand. ALigned - Linear dimensioning, aligned with extension line origins ANgular - Angular dimensioning Baseline - Continues from 1st extension line of previous dimension CEnter - Draws center mark or center lines COntinue - Continues from 2nd extension line of previous dimension Diameter - Diameter dimensioning Exit - Returns to normal command mode HORizontal - Linear dimensioning, horizontal dimension line Leader - Draws a leader to the dimension text ORdinate - Ordinate point dimensioning RAdius - Radius dimensioning \ REDraw - Redraws the display REStore - Changes to previously stored dimension style ROtated - Linear dimensioning at specified angle SAve - Stores the current variable settings as a dimension style STAtus - Lists dimensioning variables and their values STYle - Switches to a new text style Undo - Erases the annotation drawn by the last dimensioning command VErtical - Linear dimensioning, vertical dimension line \ If the DIMASO dimensioning variable is on, the linear, angular, ordinate, diameter, and radius dimensioning commands generate a single Dimension entity, as opposed to separate lines, arcs, arrows, and text. The following dimensioning commands operate on a selection set of existing Dimension entities. HOMetext - Moves the Dimension text back to its home (default) position Newtext - Modifies the text of the Dimensions OBlique - Sets the obliquing angle of Dimension extension lines OVerride - Overrides a subset of the Dimension variable settings TEdit - Changes the position of the Dimension text TRotate - Rotates the Dimension text UPdate - Redraws the Dimensions as directed by the current settings of all dimensioning variables VAriables - Lists variable settings See also: "Dim and Dim1 Commands" in chapter 10 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DIM,Dim: The DIM command is currently active. To return to normal command mode, use the EXIT command. \DIM1 The DIM1 command allows you to execute one dimensioning command, and then returns to normal command mode. Format: DIM1 Dim: (enter dimensioning command) See also: "Dim and Dim1 Commands" in chapter 10 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DIMALT DIMALT If on, enables alternate units dimensioning. See also DIMALTF, DIMAPOST, DIMALTD, and the example in the "Alternate Units Dimensioning" section in chapter 10 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DIMALTD DIMALTD If the associated DIMALT variable is on, DIMALTD governs the number of decimal places used to edit the alternate measurement. \DIMALTF DIMALTF If the associated DIMALT variable is on, all linear dimensions will be multiplied by this factor to produce a value in an alternate system of measurement. \DIMAPOST DIMAPOST This variable defines a character string to be edited following an alternate dimensioning measurement for all types of dimensions except angular dimensions. For instance, if the current Units mode is Architectural, DIMALT is on, DIMALTF is 25.4, DIMALTD is 2, and DIMAPOST is set to "mm", a distance of 10 units would be edited as: 10"[254.00mm] To disable an established suffix, set it to a single period (.). \DIMASO DIMASO Controls the creation of associative Dimension entities. When DIMASO is off, the lines, arcs, arrows, and text that make up a dimension are drawn as separate entities. When it is on, the elements of the dimension are formed into a single entity that remains associated with the geometry used to define it. The DIMASO value is not stored in a dimension style. \DIMASZ DIMASZ This specifies the size of the arrows drawn at the ends of dimension lines. Multiples of the arrow size are used to determine whether dimension lines and text will fit between the extension lines. This variable is also used to scale arrow Blocks if set by the DIMBLK variable. DIMASZ has no effect when DIMTSZ is other than zero. \DIMBLK DIMBLK This is the name of a Block to be drawn instead of the normal arrow at the ends of the dimension line. (See section "Arrow Blocks" in chapter 10 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual.) To disable an established Block name, set it to a single period (.). \DIMBLK1 \DIMBLK2 DIMBLK1 DIMBLK2 If DIMSAH is on, DIMBLK1 and DIMBLK2 specify user-defined arrow Blocks for the first and second ends of the dimension line. These variables contain the names of previously defined Blocks (just as for DIMBLK). (See the section on "Arrow Blocks" in chapter 10 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual.) To disable an established Block name, set it to a single period (.). \DIMCEN DIMCEN This variable controls the drawing of Circle/Arc center marks and center lines by the Center, Diameter, and Radius commands. If zero, center marks/lines are not drawn. If DIMCEN is greater than zero, the value specifies the size of the center mark. If DIMCEN is negative, center lines are drawn rather than center marks; the absolute value specifies the size of the mark portion of the center line. (For Radius and Diameter, the center mark/line is drawn only if the dimension line is placed outside the Circle or Arc.). \DIMCLRD DIMCLRD The color assigned to dimension lines, arrowheads, and dimension line leaders. It can take on any valid color number, or the special color labels BYBLOCK or BYLAYER. From the DIM: prompt, you can set the color values by entering any of the standard color names or the special names BYBLOCK and BYLAYER. From the SETVAR command, you must supply the integer color number. The integer equivalents for BYBLOCK and BYLAYER are 0 and 256 respectively. \DIMCLRE DIMCLRE The color assigned to dimension extension lines. It can take on any valid color number, or the special color labels BYBLOCK or BYLAYER. (See the description of DIMCLRD.) \DIMCLRT DIMCLRT The color assigned to dimension text. It can take on any valid color number, or the special color labels BYBLOCK or BYLAYER. (See the description of DIMCLRD.) \DIMDLE DIMDLE When ticks are drawn instead of arrows (that is, when DIMTSZ is nonzero), the dimension line will extend past the extension line by the DIMDLE amount. \DIMDLI DIMDLI This variable controls the dimension line increment for continuation of linear dimensioning with the Baseline and Continue commands. Successive continuations are offset by this amount, if necessary, to avoid drawing over the previous dimension. \DIMEXE DIMEXE This specifies how far the extension line should extend beyond the dimension line. \DIMEXO DIMEXO The extension lines are offset this amount from the origin points you specify. Thus, you can point directly at the corners of an object to be dimensioned, but the extension lines will stop just short of the object. \DIMGAP DIMGAP The distance maintained around the dimension text when you break the dimension line to accommodate the dimension text. You can also use DIMGAP as the minimum length required for pieces of the dimension line. When AutoCAD calculates the default position for the dimension text, it positions the text inside the extension lines only if doing so breaks the dimension lines into two segments at least as long as DIMGAP. If the text is positioned above or below the dimension line, it is placed inside if there is room for two arrows and a margin size 2 * (DIMASZ + DIMGAP). \DIMLFAC DIMLFAC This serves as a global scale factor for linear dimensioning measurements. All linear distances measured by dimensioning (including radii, diameters, and coordinates) are multiplied by the current setting of DIMLFAC before being edited into the dimension text. DIMLFAC affects the content of the default text. DIMLFAC has no effect on angular dimensions and it is not applied to the values held in DIMTM, DIMTP, or DIMRND. DIMLFAC has a special meaning when dimensioning in paper space. If DIMLFAC is set to a value less than zero and you are creating a dimension in paper space, the distance measured is multiplied by the absolute value of DIMLFAC. If you are creating a dimension in model space, negative values are ignored and the value of 1.0 is used instead. AutoCAD will compute a value for DIMLFAC for you if you attempt to change DIMLFAC from the Dim: prompt while in paper space and you select the Viewport option: Dim: dimlfac Current value <1.000> New value (Viewport): V Select viewport to set scale: AutoCAD calculates the scaling of model space to paper space, and assigns the negative of this value to DIMLFAC. \DIMLIM DIMLIM If on, generates dimension limits as the default text. Setting DIMLIM on forces DIMTOL to be off. \DIMPOST DIMPOST This variable defines a character string to be edited following the dimension measurement (but preceding any individual suffix specified by the <> mechanism). This suffix is applied to all types of dimensions except angular dimensions. For instance, if DIMPOST is set to "mm", a distance of 19.2 units would be edited like this: 19.2mm If tolerances are enabled, the suffix is applied to the tolerances as well as to the main dimension, like this: +0.20mm 12.9mm + or - 0.2mm or 19.2mm -0.20mm To disable an established suffix, set it to a single period (.). \DIMRND DIMRND This variable is used for rounding all dimensioning distances. For instance, if DIMRND is set to 0.25, all distances are rounded to the nearest 0.25 unit. Similarly, if you set DIMRND to 1.0, AutoCAD rounds all dimension distances to the nearest integer. Note that the number of digits edited after the decimal point depends on the precision set by the UNITS command. DIMRND does not apply to angular dimensions. \DIMSAH DIMSAH If DIMSAH is on, DIMBLK1 and DIMBLK2 specify different user-defined arrow Blocks to be drawn at the two ends of the dimension line. (See the section "Separate Arrow Blocks" in chapter 10 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual). \DIMSCALE DIMSCALE This is the overall scale factor applied to all dimensioning variables that specify sizes, distances, or offsets. It is not applied to tolerances or to measured lengths, coordinates, or angles. If DIMSCALE is set to 0.0, AutoCAD computes a reasonable default value based on the scaling between the current model space viewport and paper space. If you are in paper space, or are not using the paper-space feature, AutoCAD uses a scale factor of 1.0. Otherwise, AutoCAD computes a scale factor that leads to text sizes, arrow sizes, and other scaled distances to plot at their face values. \DIMSE1 DIMSE1 If on, suppresses drawing the first extension line. \DIMSE2 DIMSE2 If on, suppresses drawing the second extension line. \DIMSHO DIMSHO Controls redefinition of Dimension entities while dragging. If DIMSHO is on, associative dimensions will be recomputed dynamically when they are dragged. DIMSHO is ignored and dynamic dragging is used during Radius and Diameter leader length input. On some computers, dynamic dragging might be unacceptably slow, so you can set DIMSHO off to drag the original image instead. The DIMSHO value is not stored in a dimension style. \DIMSOXD DIMSOXD DIMSOXD prevents AutoCAD from drawing dimension lines outside the extension lines. If AutoCAD would normally draw the dimension lines outside the extension lines and DIMTIX is on, setting DIMSOXD on suppresses the dimension line entirely. If DIMTIX is off, DIMSOXD has no effect. \DIMTAD DIMTAD Controls vertical placement of the text relative to the dimension line. It takes effect when dimension text is drawn between the extension lines and at the same angle as the dimension line, or when the dimension text is placed outside the extension lines. If DIMTAD is on, the text is placed above the dimension line and a single solid dimension line is drawn beneath it. If DIMTAD is off, DIMTVP controls the text vertical placement. \DIMTFAC DIMTFAC The scale factor applied to the text height of tolerance values in dimension text. Used for plus and minus tolerance strings when DIMTOL is on and DIMTM is not equal to DIMTP, or when DIMLIM is on. \DIMTIH DIMTIH Controls the orientation of dimension text for Linear, Radius, and Diameter dimensioning where the text fits between the extension lines. If on, the text is always drawn horizontally. If off, the text is aligned with the dimension line. \DIMTIX DIMTIX If DIMTIX is on, the dimension text is drawn between the extension lines even if AutoCAD would ordinarily place it outside those lines. If it is off, the result varies with the type of dimension. For Linear and Angular dimensions, AutoCAD will place the text inside the extension lines if there is sufficient room. See the discussion of the DIMGAP variable in "Dimensioning Variables," chapter 10, on when AutoCAD decides there is sufficient room. For Radius and Diameter dimensions, setting DIMTIX off forces the text outside the circle or arc. \DIMTM \DIMTP DIMTM DIMTP These variables hold the dimension tolerance/limit values (drawn only when DIMTOL or DIMLIM is on). DIMTP specifies the upper tolerance and DIMTM specifies the lower tolerance. AutoCAD accepts signed values for DIMTP and DIMTM. If DIMTOL is on and DIMTP and DIMTM are set to the same value, AutoCAD draws a plus-minus symbol followed by the tolerance value. If the DIMTP and DIMTM values differ, the upper tolerance is drawn above the lower. When the tolerance values differ, a "+" sign is added to the DIMTP value if it is positive. For DIMTM, AutoCAD uses the negative of the value you enter (adding a "-" sign if you specify a positive number, and substituting a "+" sign if you specify a negative number). No sign is added to a value of zero, however. \DIMTOFL DIMTOFL If DIMTOFL is on, a dimension line is drawn between the extension lines even when the text is placed outside the extension lines. For Radius and Diameter dimensions, setting DIMTOFL on while DIMTIX is off causes a dimension line and arrowheads to be drawn inside the circle or arc, while the text and leader are drawn outside. \DIMTOH DIMTOH Same as DIMTIH, except that it controls text drawn outside the extension lines. \DIMTOL DIMTOL If on, appends dimension tolerances to the default text. Setting DIMTOL on forces DIMLIM to be off. \DIMTSZ DIMTSZ This variable specifies the size of the ticks drawn instead of arrows for linear, radius, and diameter dimensioning. If the value is zero, arrows are drawn. If the value is other than zero, ticks of the size DIMTSZ * DIMSCALE are drawn instead of arrows. Also used to determine if dimension lines and text will fit between extension lines. \DIMTVP DIMTVP This variable allows you to adjust the vertical position of the dimension text above or below the dimension line. DIMTVP is used under the same circumstances as DIMTAD to adjust the vertical position of the dimension text. AutoCAD uses the DIMTVP value when DIMTAD is off. The magnitude of the vertical offset of the text is the product of the text height and DIMTVP. Setting DIMTVP to 1.0 is equivalent to setting DIMTAD on. AutoCAD splits the dimension line to accommodate the text only if the absolute value of DIMTVP is less than 0.7. \DIMTXT DIMTXT This specifies the height of the dimension text, unless the current text style has a fixed height. \DIMZIN DIMZIN This variable lets you suppress the inches portion of a feet-and-inches dimension when the distance is an integral number of feet, or the feet portion when the distance is less than one foot. If feet are being included and a fractional inch component exists, the number of inches is included even if zero, no matter how DIMZIN is set. Thus, a dimension like 4'-3/4" never occurs; it is edited as 4'-0 3/4". DIMZIN values 0-3 affect feet-and-inch dimensions only, but you can add 4 to suppress leading zeroes in all decimal dimensions (e.g., 0.5000 becomes .5000), and add 8 to suppress trailing decimal zeroes (e.g., 12.5000 becomes 12.5 and 30.0000 becomes 30). Adding 12 (both 4 and 8) suppresses both leading and trailing zeroes (e.g., 0.5000 becomes .5 and 0.0000 becomes 0). Note: DIMZIN also affects real-to-string conversions performed by the AutoLISP (RTOS) and (ANGTOS) functions. \DIST The DIST command displays the 3D distance (in drawing units), the angle in the X-Y plane, the angle from the X-Y plane, and the delta-X/Y/Z between two designated points. Format: DIST First point: (point) Second point: (point) If a single number is entered in response to the "First point:" prompt, DIST displays that number in the current UNITS format. See also: "Dist Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DISTANCE DISTANCE Distance computed by DIST command (read-only). \DIVIDE The DIVIDE command allows you to divide an entity into a specified number of equal-length parts, placing markers along the objects at the dividing points. Format: DIVIDE Select object to divide: (point) <Number of segments>/Block: You can select a single Line, Arc, Circle, or Polyline. If you enter a segment count between 2 and 32,767, Point entities will be placed along the object to divide it into that number of equal segments. You can request a specific Block to be inserted instead of the Point entities by responding to the second prompt with "b". AutoCAD will ask: Block name to insert: Align block with object? <Y> Number of segments: The Block must currently be defined within the drawing. If you answer "yes" to the "Align block?" prompt, the Block will be rotated around its insertion point so that it is drawn tangent to the object being divided. \ After all prompts are answered, AutoCAD will divide the object, drawing Point entities, or the specified Block at each junction between the equal segments. See also: "Divide Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DIVIDE,Select object to divide You can select a single Line, Arc, Circle, or Polyline. \DIVIDE,<Number of segments>/Block Enter the number of segments (between 2 and 32,767) to DIVIDE the entity into. Point entities will be placed along the entity at the dividing points. Or, enter "b" to specify a Block to insert at the dividing points. \DIVIDE,Block name to insert Enter the name of the Block to insert at the entity's dividing points. The Block must be defined within the current drawing. If the Block has variable Attributes, they are not included in these insertions. \DIVIDE,Align block with object Enter "y" (or simply press RETURN) to rotate the Blocks as they are inserted so that their horizontal lines are aligned (drawn tangent to) the object being divided. Or, enter "n" to always insert the Blocks with a zero rotation angle. \DIVIDE,Number of segments Enter the number of segments (2 to 32,767) to DIVIDE the entity into. \DOUGHNUT \DONUT The DOUGHNUT (or DONUT) command draws a filled circle or ring. Format: DOUGHNUT Inside diameter <last>: (value or two points) Outside diameter <last>: (value or two points) Center of doughnut: (enter point) The "Center of doughnut" prompt is repeated for multiple locations of the doughnuts. A null response ends the DOUGHNUT command. The DOUGHNUT command constructs a closed Polyline (composed of wide arc segments) representing the specified object. Consequently, you can edit the resulting doughnut with PEDIT or any of the other editing commands that operate on Polylines. The solid-filling of doughnuts is subject to Fill mode. See also: "Doughnut Command -- Filled Circles and Rings" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DRAG \DRAGMODE When Drag mode is on, you can draw certain entities (Circles, Arcs, Polylines, Blocks, and Shapes) dynamically, "dragging" them into position on the screen. Also, many of the editing commands can drag any existing object. Dragging is turned on by entering the word "drag" at appropriate points in the command prompt sequence. With some computer configurations, the dragging process might be time consuming. Format: DRAGMODE ON/OFF/Auto <current>: When Drag mode is off, all Drag requests are ignored, including those embedded in menu items. When Drag mode is on, dragging is permitted, and Drag requests are honored when appropriate. If you set Drag mode to Auto, dragging is enabled for every command that supports it. Dragging will be performed whenever possible, without the need to enter "drag" each time. See also: "Dragmode Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ The following Dragmode options can also be set through the SETVAR command: 0 = No dragging 1 = On if requested 2 = Auto \DRAGP1 DRAGP1 Regen-drag input sampling rate. \DRAGP2 DRAGP2 Fast-drag input sampling rate. \DTEXT The DTEXT command is similar to the TEXT command and begins by prompting for the same information as the TEXT command. However, once you've entered the text location, height, and rotation angle, DTEXT draws the text on the screen character by character as you enter it. A rectangular text cursor is displayed to help you see where you are. You can use the BACKSPACE key to back up and correct typing errors. When you finish a line of text, press the RETURN key. The "Text:" prompt reappears, the text cursor advances, and you can draw another line of text below the previous line. You can also begin a new line of text by using your pointing device to designate a new starting point. This terminates the current line of text (if any), moves the text cursor to the point you designated, and repeats the "Text:" prompt to let you start a new line. When you are satisfied with all the new lines of text, give a null response to the "Text:" prompt to end the DTEXT command. DTEXT works best with left-justified text. When you use other types of justification, DTEXT draws the text left-justified, and performs the requested justification when you give a null response to end the command. See also: "Dtext Command" in chapter 4 the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DVIEW The DVIEW command lets you define parallel or visual perspective views of your drawing dynamically. It allows you to: - Look at objects with true visual perspective - Remove hidden lines in your drawing - Position front and back clipping planes - Toggle back and forth between perspective and parallel views - Specify a camera point, target point, and lens length \ Format: DVIEW Select objects: (Select entities) CAmera/TArget/Distance/POints/PAn/Zoom/TWist/CLip/Hide/Off/Undo/<eXit>: The various options are described next: CAmera - Selects the camera angle relative to the target CLip - Sets the front and back clipping planes Distance - Sets distance between camera and target, turn on perspective eXit - Exits the DVIEW command Hide - Performs hidden-line removal on the selection set Off - Turns perspective off PAn - Pans drawing across the screen POints - Specifies the camera and target points TArget - Selects the target angle relative to the camera TWist - Sets the view twist angle Undo - Undoes a view subcommand Zoom - Zooms in and out on drawing \ If you select the CLip option, AutoCAD prompts: Back/Front/<Off>: Back - Positions the back clipping plane Front - Positions the front clipping plane Off - Turns off front and back clipping planes See also: "Dview Command -- Dynamic 3D and Perspective Views" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DWGNAME DWGNAME Drawing name as entered by the user. If the user specified a drive/directory prefix, it is included as well (read-only). \DWGPREFIX DWGPREFIX Drive/directory prefix for drawing (read-only). \DXBIN The DXBIN command loads a ".dxb" (drawing interchange binary) file into an AutoCAD drawing. These files have a very compact format and are mainly for internal use by programs such as CAD/camera (tm). Format: DXBIN DXB file: (filename) Do not enter the ".dxb" file type; it is assumed. See also: appendix C of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DXFIN The DXFIN command reads a drawing interchange file and creates or appends a drawing from it. If you want to DXFIN a whole drawing, create a new drawing using Main menu task 1, and issue the DXFIN command before drawing anything. Format: DXFIN File name <default>: (name) If AutoCAD determines that the current drawing is not empty, it prints the message Not a new drawing -- only ENTITIES section will be input. and proceeds to ignore all sections of the input file other than the ENTITIES section. See also: appendix C of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \DXFOUT The DXFOUT command creates a drawing interchange file from the current drawing or from selected entities in the drawing. Format: DXFOUT File name <default>: (name or RETURN) Enter decimal places of accuracy (0 to 16)/Entities/Binary <6>: If you respond with "e", the normal "Select objects:" prompt appears, and you can select the set of entities to be output. You are then again prompted with: Enter decimal places of accuracy (0 to 16) <6>: If you select the Binary option, the output is written to a binary DXF file. See also: appendix C of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \EDGESURF The EDGESURF command constructs a Coons surface patch from four adjoining space curve edges. Format: EDGESURF Select edge 1: (Select an edge) Select edge 2: (Select an edge) Select edge 3: (Select an edge) Select edge 4: (Select an edge) The four adjoining edges that you select can be lines, arcs, or open 2D or 3D Polylines, and must touch at their endpoints to form a topologically rectangular closed path. The edges can be selected in any order; however, the first edge selected generates the M direction, and the two edges which touch the first edge generate the N direction of the mesh. The system variable SURFTAB1 controls the number of tabulation lines generated in the M direction, while SURFTAB2 controls the number of tabulations generated in the N direction. See also: "Edgesurf Command -- Edge-Defined Surface Patches" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ELEV The ELEV command allows you to specify the current elevation and extrusion thickness for subsequently drawn objects. The elevation is the Z plane on which an object's base is drawn, while its extrusion thickness is its height above that base elevation. Negative thickness extrudes downward. Different elevations can be maintained between model space and paper space. Format: ELEV New current elevation <current>: (RETURN or number) New current thickness <current>: (RETURN or number) The UCS command is the recommended method of changing the current Z value. See also: "Elev Command -- Set Current Elevation and Thickness" in chapter 7 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ELEVATION ELEVATION Current 3D elevation, relative to the current UCS for the current space. \ELLIPSE The ELLIPSE command allows you to draw ellipses. Format: ELLIPSE <Axis endpoint 1>/Center: (point) Axis endpoint 2: (point) <Other axis distance>/Rotation: If you enter a distance to the "<Other axis distance>/Rotation" prompt, AutoCAD interprets it as half the length of the other axis. If you reply with "r", the first axis is assumed major and AutoCAD prompts: Rotation around major axis: The major axis is now treated as the diameter line of a circle which will be rotated a specified amount around the axis, into the third dimension. You can enter a rotation angle between 0 and 89.4 degrees. If you respond to the "<Axis endpoint 1>/Center" prompt with "c", AutoCAD prompts for the center point, and one endpoint of each axis. The "<Other axis distance>/Rotation:" prompt appears for this method also, so you can specify the ellipse's rotation rather than the second axis. \ If you have selected isometric Snap mode, ELLIPSE allows you to draw a circle in the current isometric drawing plane. The dialogue for this is: ELLIPSE <Axis endpoint 1>/Center/Isocircle: I Center of circle: (point) <Circle radius>/Diameter: (radius distance or "d") The "Center of circle" is the center point of the original circle as projected into the isometric drawing plane. The radius or diameter is the radius or diameter of the original circle as it would appear in a face-on projection. You can enter the radius numerically or by designating a point to "show" AutoCAD the radius as a distance from the circle's center point. You can "drag" the radius if you like. See also: "Ellipse Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \END The END command exits the drawing editor (after saving the updated version of the current drawing), and returns to the Main menu. If you then want to exit AutoCAD entirely, select item 0 from the Main menu. Format: END See also: "End Command" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ERASE The ERASE command lets you delete selected entities from the drawing. Format: ERASE Select objects: (select) You can easily erase just the last object you drew by responding to the "Select objects" prompt with "l". The OOPS command can be used to retrieve the last thing you erased. See also: "Erase Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \EXPERT EXPERT Controls the issuance of certain "Are you sure?" prompts, as indicated next. 0 = Issues all prompts normally. 1 = Suppresses "About to regen, proceed?" and "Really want to turn the current layer off?". 2 = Suppresses the preceding prompts and Block's "Block already defined. Redefine it?" and Save/Wblock's "A drawing with this name already exists. Overwrite it?". 3 = Suppresses the preceding prompts and those issued by LINETYPE if you try to load a linetype that's already loaded or create a new linetype in a file that already defines it. 4 = Suppresses the preceding prompts and those issued by UCS Save and VPORTS Save if the name you supply already exists. 5 = Suppresses the preceding prompts and those issued by DIM Save and DIM OVerride if the dimension style name you supply already exists (the entries are redefined). When a prompt is suppressed by EXPERT, the operation in question is performed as though you had responded "y" to the prompt. In the future, values greater than 5 might be used to suppress additional safety prompts. The default value is 0. \EXPLODE The EXPLODE command replaces a Block reference with copies of the simple entities comprising the Block, forms simple lines and arcs from a Polyline, forms individual lines, arrows, and text entities from an Associative Dimension entity, or replaces a polygon mesh with 3D Face entities. Format: EXPLODE Select block reference, polyline, dimension, or mesh: When a Block or Dimension is exploded, the resulting image on the screen is identical, except that the color and linetype of entities might change due to floating layers, colors, or linetypes. Therefore, be careful to select the desired object. When a Polyline is exploded, any associated width or tangent information is discarded and the resulting lines and arcs follow the Polyline's center line. See also: "Explode Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \EXTEND The EXTEND command allows you to lengthen existing objects in a drawing so that they end precisely at a boundary defined by one or more other objects in the drawing. Format: EXTEND Select boundary edge(s)... Select objects: You can use any form of entity selection to define the boundary objects. Lines, Arcs, Circles, and 2D Polylines can serve as boundary objects. When using a 2D Polyline as a boundary, its width information is ignored so that objects are extended to its center line. \ All the selected edges are highlighted and will remain highlighted for the rest of the EXTEND command. Next the prompt: <Select object to extend>/Undo: appears. Pick objects to extend by pointing to the part of the object to be extended. Entering the Undo subcommand undoes the most recent change, back to the first change made during the current EXTEND command. Answer with RETURN to end the command. Lines, Arcs, and open 2D Polylines can be extended. See also: "Extend Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \EXTEND,Select objects You can use any form of entity selection to define the boundary objects. Lines, Arcs, Circles, and 2D Polylines can serve as boundary objects. When using a 2D Polyline as a boundary, its width information is ignored so that objects are extended to its center line. All the selected edges are highlighted and will remain highlighted for the rest of the EXTEND command. \EXTMAX EXTMAX Upper-right drawing uses extents. Expands outward as new objects are drawn, shrinks only by ZOOM All or ZOOM Extents. Reported in World coordinates for the current space (read-only). \EXTMIN EXTMIN Lower-left drawing uses extents. Expands outward as new objects are drawn, shrinks only by ZOOM All or ZOOM Extents. Reported in World coordinates for the current space (read-only). \FILEDIA FILEDIA Controls use of File Dialogue Boxes: 1 = Use file dialogue boxes if possible 0 = Don't use file dialogue boxes unless requested via ~ (tilde) \FILES The FILES command is used to access disk file directories. Format: FILES This invokes the File Utility menu, which displays a list of subtasks. Using this menu, you can list the names of files on disk, delete selected files, rename a file, or copy a file to another file. When listing user-specified files or deleting files, you can use the "*" and "?" wild-card characters. "?" matches any character in that position, and "*" matches all characters up to a period, or to the end of the name. Thus, "*.*" means all files. See also: "File Command -- Directory Access" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \FILL The FILL command controls whether Solids, Traces, and wide Polylines are to be solid-filled or just outlined. Formats: FILL ON/OFF <ON>: See also: "Fill Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \FILLET The FILLET command connects two lines, arcs, or circles with a smooth arc of specified radius. It adjusts the lengths of the original lines or arcs so they end exactly on the fillet arc. If the Polyline option is used, you can apply fillets to an entire Polyline, or remove the fillets from a Polyline. Format: FILLET Polyline/Radius/<select two objects>: P - Fillets an entire Polyline R - Sets the fillet radius See also: "Fillet Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \FILLET,Polyline/Radius/<select Enter "p" to fillet an entire Polyline. Enter "r" to set the fillet radius. Or select 2 entities to fillet. \FILLET,Select The FILLET command is asking you to pick a 2D Polyline to fillet. \FILLET,Enter The FILLET command is asking you to enter a number (or pick two points) to define the fillet radius. \FILLETRAD FILLETRAD Fillet radius. \FILLMODE FILLMODE Fill mode on if 1, off if 0. \FILMROLL FILMROLL The FILMROLL command lets you produce a file for use by the AutoShade shaded rendering package. Format: FILMROLL Enter filmroll file name <default>: Enter the name of the filmroll file you want to create. The name of the current drawing is offered as the default. Do not include a file type in your response; file type ".flm" is assumed. See also: "Filmroll Command -- Produce File for AutoShade" in chapter 11 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual and The AutoShade User Guide. \FRONTZ FRONTZ Front clipping plane offset for the current viewport, in drawing units. Meaningful only if the front clipping bit in VIEWMODE is on and the front clip not at eye bit is also on. The distance of the front clipping plane from the camera point can be found by subtracting FRONTZ from the camera-to-target distance (read-only). \GRID The GRID command controls the display of a grid of alignment dots to assist in the placement of objects in the drawing. Format: GRID Grid spacing(X) or ON/OFF/Snap/Aspect <current>: The various options are described next. Spacing(X) - A simple number sets grid spacing in drawing units. A number followed by "X" (e.g., "2X") sets the grid spacing to a multiple of the current snap resolution. A value of zero locks the grid spacing to the current snap resolution. ON - Turns grid on with previous spacing. OFF - Turns grid off. Snap - Locks the grid spacing to the current snap resolution (same as a spacing value of zero). Aspect - Permits a grid with different horizontal and vertical spacing. See also: "Grid Command" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \GRIDMODE GRIDMODE 1 = grid on for current viewport; 0 = grid off. \GRIDUNIT GRIDUNIT Grid spacing for current viewport, X and Y. \HANDLES The HANDLES command controls the assignment of handles. A handle is a unique number which has been permanently assigned to an entity. When you enter the HANDLES command the current status is displayed, and if handles are enabled, the next handle number is displayed. Format: HANDLES Handles are disabled. ON/DESTROY: The various options are described next. ON - Assigns handles to every entity currently in the database and every entity subsequently added to the drawing. It also sets the system variable HANDLES to 1. DESTROY - Deletes all handles in the database. Warning - this invalidates all links into the drawing from external databases. \ The status of HANDLES can be determined by viewing the handles system variable via the SETVAR command. If 0, handles are disabled. If 1, handles are on. The handles system variable is read-only and can only be set by the HANDLES command. See also: "Handles Command -- Entity Handle Control" in chapter 7 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \HATCH The HATCH command is used to crosshatch or pattern-fill an area. Format: HATCH Pattern (? or name/U,style) <default>: ? - Lists the standard hatch patterns in "acad.pat". name - Name of a hatch pattern. You are prompted for a scale and an angle for the pattern. U - Allows you to define a simple pattern on the fly. You are prompted for an angle, the spacing between the lines, and a single or double hatch area. style - Defines what areas of the selected items are to be filled with the specified pattern. Style codes Example N - Normal BRICK,N or U,N O - Outermost area only BRICK,O or U,O I - Ignore internal structure BRICK,I or U,I \ The specified parameters are remembered and are displayed as the defaults for subsequent HATCH commands. See also: "Hatch Command" in chapter 10 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \HELP \? The HELP (or "?") command displays help information. Formats: HELP (or "?") Command name (RETURN for list): If you reply with a command name, information about that command is displayed. Otherwise, the display consists of a list of valid commands, and a brief reminder of the methods of point specification. If the help information does not fit on one screen, AutoCAD will pause and display: Press RETURN for further help. To continue the help display, press RETURN. If you want to cancel the help display, enter CTRL C. See also: "Help Command -- User Assistance" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \HIDE The HIDE command eliminates "hidden" lines. When the VPOINT command is used to generate a 3D view, it is in "wireframe" form; that is, all lines are drawn, even those that would be hidden by other objects. HIDE, which has no parameters, regenerates the drawing with the "hidden" lines suppressed. Format: HIDE See also: "Hide Command -- Hidden Line Suppression" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \HIGHLIGHT HIGHLIGHT Object selection highlighting on if 1, off if 0. \ID The ID command displays the coordinates of a designated point in the drawing. Format: ID Point: (point) See also: "Id Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \IGESIN The IGESIN command reads an IGES ASCII format file and creates a drawing from it. Create a new drawing using Main menu task 1, and issue the IGESIN command before drawing anything. Format: IGESIN File name: (name) See also: appendix C of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \IGESOUT The IGESOUT command creates an IGES ASCII format file from the current drawing. Format: IGESOUT File name: (name) See also: appendix C of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \INSBASE INSBASE Insertion base point (set by BASE command) expressed in UCS. \INSERT The INSERT command inserts one occurrence of a defined Block into the current drawing at a designated point, applying scale factors and rotation. If the named Block is not defined in the current drawing, but another drawing exists with that name, a Block Definition is first created from the other drawing. Format: INSERT Block name (or ?) <default>: Insertion point: X scale factor <1> / Corner / XYZ: Y scale factor (default = X): Rotation angle <0>: The X/Y scales can be specified simultaneously by using the insertion point as the lower-left corner of a box, and a new point as the upper-right corner; just enter the new point in response to the "X scale factor" prompt. You can enter "drag" to dynamically specify the insertion point, X/Y scales, and rotation angle. You can preset the scale and rotation for the dragged image by using the Scale or Rotate option at the "Insertion point:" prompt. \ Normally, the Block is inserted as a single entity. However, if you precede the Block name with a "*", its individual components are inserted. In this case, only one scale factor is requested. Entering "xyz" after the "X scale factor" prompt tells AutoCAD that you want to specify all three scale factors, X, Y, and Z. Format: INSERT Block name (or ?) <default>: Insertion point: X scale factor <1> / Corner / XYZ: XYZ X scale factor <1> / Corner: Y scale factor (default = X): Z scale factor (default = X): Rotation angle <0>: If the Block has Attributes, prompts for the Attribute values will appear next. If system variable ATTDIA is set nonzero and the display driver has the needed features, a dialogue box will serve this purpose instead. \ When dragging a Block into position, the default scale of 1 and default rotation of 0 degrees are used for the drag image. If you know the scale or rotation beforehand, you can enter one of the following options when the "Insertion point:" prompt is issued, to "preset" the scale or rotation for the drag image. Scale - Presets (uniform) scale factor XScale - Presets X scale factor YScale - Presets Y scale factor ZScale - Presets Z scale factor Rotate - Presets rotation amount If you've specified one of these options, the corresponding prompt that normally follows entry of the insertion point will be skipped. (Variations of these options, with a leading "p", can be used to affect only the drag image, issuing the scale and rotation prompts as usual after the insertion point has been established.) See also: "Insert Command -- Block Reference" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ISOPLANE The ISOPLANE command permits selection of the current drawing plane (top, left, or right) when the isometric Snap style is in effect. Format: ISOPLANE Left/Top/Right/(Toggle): Left - Plane defined by 150 and 90 degree axis pair Top - Plane defined by 30 and 150 degree axis pair Right - Plane defined by 30 and 90 degree axis pair RETURN - Toggles to the next plane in a circular fashion See also: "Isoplane Command" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \KEYS \TOGGLES KEYS TOGGLES The following control keys are used to toggle various modes on and off. CTRL B - Snap mode on/off. CTRL D - Coordinate display control. Static, dynamic with length<angle, dynamic with coordinates only. CTRL E - Circular toggle of ISO plane. CTRL G - Grid on/off. CTRL O - Ortho mode on/off. CTRL Q - Printer echo on/off. CTRL T - Tablet mode on/off. See also: chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. chapter 2 of the Installation Guide. \LASTANGLE LASTANGLE The end angle of the last arc entered, relative to the XY plane of the current UCS for the current space (read-only). \LASTPOINT LASTPOINT The last point entered, expressed in UCS coordinates for the current space. Referenced by "@" during keyboard entry. \LASTPT3D LASTPT3D Same as LASTPOINT. This variable will be discontinued in a future release. \LAYER The LAYER command allows you to control which drawing layer you are currently drawing on, and which drawing layers are to be displayed. It also controls the color and linetype associated with each drawing layer. Format: LAYER ?/Make/Set/New/ON/OFF/Color/Ltype/Freeze/Thaw: ? wildname - Lists layers, with states, colors and linetypes Make name - Creates a new layer and makes it current Set name - Sets current layer New name,name - Creates new layers ON wildname - Turns on specified layers OFF wildname - Turns off specified layers Color c wildname - Assigns color "c" to specified layers Ltype x wildname - Assigns linetype "x" to specified layers Freeze wildname - Completely ignores layers during regeneration Thaw wildname - "Unfreezes" specified layers Ltype ? - Lists loaded linetypes Where "wildname" appears above, the layer name(s) can include "*" and "?" wild cards. A single "*" selects all existing layers. See also: "Layer Command" in chapter 7 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \LENSLENGTH LENSLENGTH Length of the lens (in millimeters) used in perspective viewing, for the current viewport (read-only). \LIMCHECK LIMCHECK Limits checking for the current space. On if 1, off if 0. \LIMITS The LIMITS command allows you to change the upper and lower limits of the drawing area while working on a drawing, and to turn limits checking on or off. Format: LIMITS ON/OFF/<Lower left corner> <current>: Upper-right corner <current>: See also: "Limits Command" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \LIMMAX LIMMAX Upper-right drawing limits for the current space, expressed in World coordinates. \LIMMIN LIMMIN Lower-left drawing limits for the current space, expressed in World coordinates. \LINE The LINE command allows you to draw straight lines. You can specify the desired endpoints using either 2D or 3D coordinates, or a combination. If you enter 2D coordinates, AutoCAD uses the current elevation as the Z component of the point. Format: LINE From point: (point) To point: (point) To point: (point) To point: ...RETURN to end line sequence To erase the latest line segment without exiting the LINE command, enter "u" when prompted for a "To" point. You can continue the previous line or arc by responding to the "From point:" prompt with a space or RETURN. If you are drawing a sequence of lines that will become a closed polygon, you can reply to the "To point" prompt with "c" to draw the last segment (close the polygon). Lines can be constrained to horizontal or vertical by the ORTHO command. See also: "Line Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \LINE,From The LINE command is asking you to pick a point (or enter a coordinate) for the starting point of the line. You can continue the previous line or arc by responding to this prompt with a space or RETURN. \LINE,To The LINE command is asking you to pick a point (or enter a coordinate) to to complete the line segment. If you have drawn more than one segment, you can reply to the "To point" prompt with "c" to draw the last segment (close the polygon). To erase the latest line segment without exiting the LINE command, enter "u" at this prompt. Relative, cylindrical, and spherical coordinate point entry is allowed. Also, object snap can be used to specify particular points (endpoints of lines, centers of circles, etc.) of previously drawn entities. \LINETYPE You can control the dot-dash linetype of each entity individually, or by layer. To change the linetype of existing objects, use the CHANGE command. To control layer linetypes, use the LAYER command. The LINETYPE command sets the linetype for new entities. It can also load linetype definitions from a library file, write new definitions to a library file, and list the linetype definitions in a library file. Format: LINETYPE ?/Create/Load/Set: ? - Lists the linetypes defined in a specified library file Create - Allows creation of a new linetype and stores it in a specified library file Load - Loads selected linetypes from a specified library file Set - Sets the current linetype used for newly drawn entities Note: The Set option and the LAYER Ltype command automatically load linetypes from the standard linetype library file. The Load option is needed only if you are storing linetypes in a different library file. See also: "Linetype Command" in chapter 7 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \LINETYPE,New entity linetype The LINETYPE command's Set option establishes the current linetype for new entities. Format: LINETYPE ?/Create/Load/Set: S New entity linetype (or ?) <current>: You can reply with a linetype name (not necessarily loaded yet), in which case all new objects you draw will be given this linetype, regardless of which layer is current, until you again use LINETYPE Set. If you respond with "BYLAYER", new objects you draw will inherit the linetype assigned to the layer upon which they are drawn. If you respond with "BYBLOCK", new objects will be drawn with the CONTINUOUS linetype until they are grouped into a Block. Then, whenever that Block is inserted, the objects will inherit the linetype of the Block insertion. Finally, if you respond with "?", the currently loaded linetypes will be listed. \LINETYPE,Name of linetype The LINETYPE command's Create option allows the definition of a new linetype pattern. The new linetype is not associated with a particular drawing, but is stored in a library file and can be loaded with the Load option. Format: LINETYPE ?/Create/Load/Set: C Name of linetype to create: File for storage of linetype <default>: Respond with the name of the new linetype and the name of the library file that you plan to store it in. If the linetype name is found to already exist in the specified file, AutoCAD shows the current definition and asks if you want to redefine it. You are then asked to enter descriptive text and the pattern definition itself. For more information on defining linetype patterns, see appendix B of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \LINETYPE,Linetype(s) to load The LINETYPE command's Load option allows you to specify a set of linetypes to be loaded into the current drawing for subsequent use. Format: LINETYPE ?/Create/Load/Set: L Linetype(s) to load: File to search <default>: Multiple names can be entered separated by commas, and wild-card characters are allowed. There is no default; use "*" to specify all. If any of the linetype names specified are found in the file and that name is used by a linetype that is already loaded, AutoCAD will prompt you to decide if the definition should be reloaded. \LIST The LIST command displays database information about selected objects. Format: LIST Select objects: (select) If the listing is lengthy, you can use CTRL S to pause momentarily, or CTRL C to abort the listing. To echo the listing to your printer, use CTRL Q. See also: "List Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \LOAD The LOAD command is used to load Shape definitions from a library file. Format: LOAD Name of shape file to load (or ?): (Shape filename) No file type should be specified; type ".shx" is assumed. If you respond to the LOAD command's prompt with "?", AutoCAD will display a list of the currently loaded Shape files. See also: "Load Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \LTSCALE The LTSCALE command governs the global scale factor for linetype dash lengths. Format: LTSCALE New scale factor <current>: See also: "Ltscale Command" in chapter 7 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. This is also a system variable and can be changed using the SETVAR command. \LTYPE There is no LTYPE command; see LAYER and LINETYPE. See also: "Layer Ltype -- Set Layer Linetype" in chapter 7 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \LUNITS LUNITS Linear units mode (1 = scientific, 2 = decimal, 3 = engineering, 4 = architectural, 5 = fractional). \LUPREC LUPREC Linear units decimal places or denominator. \MAXACTVP MAXACTVP Maximum number of viewports to regenerate at one time. \MAXSORT MAXSORT Maximum number of symbol/file names to be sorted by listing commands. If the total number of items exceeds this number, then none of the items are sorted. \MEASURE The MEASURE command allows you to measure an entity, placing markers along the object at intervals of the specified distance. Format: MEASURE Select object to measure: (select one) <Segment length>/Block: You are then prompted to specify the segment length between markers, and, optionally, a Block to use as the marker. See also: "Measure Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual \MEASURE,Select object to measure The MEASURE command is prompting you to select a single Line, Arc, Circle, or Polyline. \MEASURE,<Segment length>/Block The MEASURE command is prompting for either a segment length to use between the markers, or optionally a Block to use as the marker. If you enter a segment length, the object is measured into segments of that length, starting at the endpoint closest to the point by which the entity was selected. Point entities will be placed where each pair of segments meet. You can request a specific Block to be inserted instead of the Point entities by responding to the second prompt with "b". AutoCAD will ask: Block name to insert: Align block with object? <Y> Segment length: The Block must currently be defined within the drawing. If you answer "y" to the "Align block?" prompt, the Block will be rotated around its insertion point so that it is drawn tangent to the object being measured. After these prompts are answered, AutoCAD will measure the object, drawing the specified Block where each pair of segments meet. \MEASURE,Block name to insert The MEASURE command is asking for the name of a Block, that is defined in the current drawing, to use as a marker instead of Points. AutoCAD will then ask: Align block with object? <Y> If you answer "y", the Block will be rotated around its insertion point so that it is drawn tangent to the object being measured. AutoCAD then prompts for the segment length to use. After these prompts are answered, AutoCAD will measure the object, drawing the specified Block where each pair of segments meet. \MEASURE,Align Block The MEASURE command is asking if the Block specified to be used as a marker should be aligned with the selected object. If you respond "y", the Block is rotated around its insertion point so that it is drawn tangent to the object being measured. \MEASURE,Segment length The MEASURE command is asking for the segment length to use when measuring the selected object and placing the selected marker. \MENU The MENU command is used to load a new set of commands into the screen, tablet, and button menus from a disk file. Format: MENU Menu file name or . for none <current>: If file dialogue boxes are enabled, one is presented instead of the filename prompt and a new menu can be selected from there. At the prompt, if you give a null response, the current menu file is reloaded. If you respond with ".", the current menu will be cleared and no menu file will be loaded. See also: "Menu Command" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \MENUECHO MENUECHO Menu echo/prompt control bits (sum of the following): 1 = Suppresses echo of menu items (^P in a menu item toggles echoing) 2 = Suppresses printing of system prompts during menu 4 = Disables ^P toggle of menu item echoing The default value is 0 (all menu items and system prompts are displayed). \MENUNAME MENUNAME The name of the currently loaded menu file. Includes a drive/path prefix if you entered it (read-only). \MINSERT The MINSERT command is very similar to the INSERT command in that it is used to insert a Block. However, the MINSERT command creates multiple instances of the Block in a rectangular pattern, or array. During the MINSERT command, AutoCAD asks the same questions as for the INSERT command (insert point, X/Y scaling, rotation angle, etc.). "MINSERT *" is not permitted, however. Following the standard INSERT prompts, the MINSERT command will prompt: Number of rows (---): Number of columns (|||): Unit cell or distance between rows (---): (if row count is 2 or more) Distance between columns (|||): (if column count is 2 or more and unit cell was not selected) The Unit cell allows you to designate two opposite corners of a rectangle to "show" AutoCAD the row and column spacing in one operation. \ You cannot EXPLODE a MINSERT. See also INSERT and ARRAY. See also: "Minsert Command -- Block Arrays" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \MIRROR The MIRROR command allows you to mirror selected entities in your drawing. The original objects can be deleted (like a MOVE) or retained (like a COPY). Format: MIRROR Select objects: (select) First point of mirror line: (point) Second point: (point) Delete old objects? <N> (Yes, No, or RETURN) The mirror line you designate is the axis about which the selected objects are mirrored; it can be at any angle. Often, you will want to reflect a section of a drawing but keep all its annotation readable the usual way. AutoCAD permits this through the MIRRTEXT system variable. When MIRRTEXT is set to 1 (the default value), text will be reflected normally and will be mirror-inverted. If you set MIRRTEXT to zero (using the SETVAR command or AutoLISP), the MIRROR command will handle text items (and Attribute entities) specially, preventing them from being reversed or turned upside down in the mirrored image. See also: "Mirror Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \MIRRTEXT MIRRTEXT Mirror reflects text if nonzero, retains text direction if zero. \MOVE The MOVE command is used to move one or more existing drawing entities from one location in the drawing to another. Format: MOVE Select objects: (select) Base point or displacement: Second point of displacement: (if base selected above) If you designate a base point, the selected object(s) are dynamically dragged to their new location unless DRAGMODE has been turned off (if this is the case, enter "drag" at the "Second point ..." prompt). All forms of point entry are valid at the "Base point or displacement" prompt. Entering a distance and angle to the "Base point ..." prompt will move the selected object(s) relative to the current UCS origin. See also: "Move Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \MSLIDE The MSLIDE command "takes a picture" of the current display, and saves it in a slide file for later viewing with the VSLIDE command. Format: MSLIDE Slide file <current>: (name) The current drawing name is supplied as a default. The display is redrawn as the slide is being made. See also: "Mslide Command -- Making a Slide" in chapter 11 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \MSPACE The MSPACE command switches from paper space to model space. TILEMODE must be set to 0 (off) before you can use this command (see the section "TILEMODE System Variable" in chapter 6). There must be at least one viewport on and active, in order for AutoCAD to switch from paper space to model space. Format: MSPACE See also: "Mspace Command -- Switch to Model Space" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \MULTIPLE The MULTIPLE command instructs AutoCAD to repeat the next command you enter, until cancelled by a CTRL C. No prompt is issued when you enter the MULTIPLE command, so you can think of it as a modifier for the next command. For instance: Command: MULTIPLE CIRCLE would cause the CIRCLE command to be repeated until you enter CTRL C to stop it. Only the command name is repeated (not the options you might have entered during the command). See also: "Multiple Command Modifier" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \MVIEW The MVIEW command creates new Viewports, turns their display on or off, and instructs AutoCAD to perform hidden-line removal on a Viewport's contents during a paper-space plot. TILEMODE needs to be set to 0 (off), in order for the MVIEW command to work. If you invoke the MVIEW command in model space, AutoCAD temporarily switches to paper space for the duration of the command and then returns to model space. Format: MVIEW ON/OFF/Hideplot/Fit/2/3/4/Restore/<First Point>: ON/OFF - Turns Viewports on and off. When you turn a Viewport off, AutoCAD clears its model space view and doesn't regenerate it again until you turn the Viewport back on. The number of Viewports turned on cannot exceed the maximum allowable number of active Viewports (MAXACTVP). Hideplot - Instructs AutoCAD to perform a hidden-line removal on the contents of a Viewport when plotting the Viewport in paper space. AutoCAD asks if you want to turn automatic hidden-line removal on or off. Fit - Creates a Viewport sized to fill your graphics screen. 2/3/4 - Creates two, three, or four Viewports with a single operation. AutoCAD will then ask how these Viewports should be created. \ Restore - Use this option to translate Viewport configurations saved with the VPORTS command into individual Viewport entities in paper space. <First Point> - Selects two points to specify the corners of a single new Viewport. When you pick the first point, AutoCAD prompts for the opposite corner and displays a box cursor to help you visualize the size of the new Viewport. The new Viewport becomes the current Viewport. See also: "Mview Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \OFFSET The OFFSET command constructs an entity parallel to another entity at either a specified distance or through a specified point. You can OFFSET a Line, Arc, Circle, or Polyline. Format: OFFSET Offset distance or Through <last>: Select object to offset: (point to the object) To offset from a wide Polyline, measure the offset distance from the centerline of the Polyline. Once the object is selected, it is highlighted on the screen. Depending on whether you specified an offset distance or selected "through point" in the original prompt, you will receive one of the following prompts: Side to offset: Through point: The offset is then calculated and drawn. The selected object will be dehighlighted and the "Select object to offset" prompt is reissued. RETURN exits the command. See also: "Offset Command -- Parallel Lines and Curves" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \OFFSET,Select Select a Line, Arc, Circle, or Polyline to Offset. \OOPS The OOPS command reinserts the object(s) that were deleted by the most recent ERASE or BLOCK command. Format: OOPS For a general method of reversing the effect of most commands, see the UNDO command. See also: "Oops Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. "Undo Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ORTHO The ORTHO command allows you to control "orthogonal" drawing mode. All lines and traces drawn while this mode is on are constrained to be horizontal or vertical. Formats: ORTHO ON - Turns orthogonal mode on ORTHO OFF - Turns orthogonal mode off Note: When the Snap grid is rotated, Ortho mode rotates accordingly. Also, if the isometric Snap style is in effect, Ortho mode is applied to the axis pair associated with the current Iso plane. See also: "Ortho Command" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ORTHOMODE ORTHOMODE Ortho mode on if 1, off if 0. \OSMODE OSMODE Object snap modes bit-code (sum of the following): 1 = Endpoint 64 = Insertion 2 = Midpoint 128 = Perpendicular 4 = Center 256 = Tangent 8 = Node 512 = Nearest 16 = Quadrant 1024 = Quick 32 = Intersection \OSNAP The OSNAP command is used to set "running" object snap modes. Object (geometric) snap allows you to designate points that are related to objects already in your drawing. Format: OSNAP Object snap modes: CENter - Center of Arc or Circle ENDpoint - Closest endpoint of Line/Arc or closest corner of Trace/Solid/3D Face INSertion - Insertion point of Text/Block/Shape/Attribute INTersection - Intersection of Lines/Arcs/Circles or corner of Trace/Solid/3D Face MIDpoint - Midpoint of Line/Arc or midpoint of an edge of Trace/Solid/3D Face NEArest - Nearest point on Line/Arc/Circle/Point NODe - Nearest Point entity (or Dimension definition point) NONe - None (off) PERpendicular - Perpendicular to Line/Arc/Circle QUAdrant - Quadrant point of Arc or Circle QUIck - Quick mode (first find, not closest) TANgent - Tangent to Arc or Circle \ Use commas to separate multiple modes. These modes can also be entered whenever a point is requested, to override the running object snap modes. Object snap, in its command form (running modes), or as an override of the running mode, can be selected from the Screen menu by picking the second line "* * * *" and selecting a mode, from the Tablet menu, or from the Assist pull-down menu. See also: "Osnap Command" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PAN The PAN command allows you to move the display window in any direction, without changing its magnification. This lets you see details that are currently off the screen. You can specify a relative movement, as in: Format: PAN Displacement: (relative coordinates) Second point: (RETURN) Or you can designate two points to specify the displacement you want. Format: PAN Displacement: (point) Second point: (point) See also: "Pan Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PDMODE PDMODE Point entity display mode. \PDSIZE PDSIZE Point entity display size. \PEDIT The PEDIT command supports numerous ways of editing 2D Polylines, 3D Polylines, and polygon meshes. Format: PEDIT Select Polyline: (Select) If you select a 2D Polyline the following prompt is displayed: Close/Join/Width/Edit vertex/Fit curve/Spline curve/Decurve/Undo/eXit <X>: "Close" will be replaced by "Open" if the polyline is currently closed. These functions are: Close, Open - Opens or closes Polylines Join - Joins pieces into Polylines Width - Changes the width and/or tapers the Polyline or segment Edit vertex - Breaks Polylines into pieces, moves existing vertices or inserts new ones Fit curve - Fits curves to the line Spline curve - Fits a spline curve to the Polyline's control points Decurve - Removes curves and kinks Undo - Undoes the last PEDIT command eXit - Exits out of the PEDIT command \ The PEDIT command's Edit vertex option causes an "X" to appear at the Polyline's first vertex and displays the following suboption prompt: Next/Previous/Break/Insert/Move/Regen/Straighten/Tangent/Width/eXit <N>: Next - Moves "X" to the next vertex. Previous - Moves "X" to the previous vertex. Break - Remembers the currently marked vertex and lets you move to another vertex. You can then remove the segments between these two vertices. Insert - Adds a new vertex after the currently marked vertex. Move - Lets you move the location of the current vertex. Regen - Regenerates the Polyline. Used with "Width", below. Straighten - Remembers the currently marked vertex and lets you move to another vertex. You can then replace the segments between these two vertices with one straight segment. Tangent - Lets you attach a tangent direction to the current vertex for later use in curve fitting. Width - Changes the starting and ending widths for the segment following the marked vertex. eXit - Exits from vertex editing. \ If you select a 3D Polyline the following prompt is displayed: Close/Edit vertex/Spline curve/Decurve/Undo/eXit <X>: "Close" will be replaced by "Open" if the polyline is currently closed. The PEDIT command's Edit vertex option causes an "X" to appear at the Polyline's first vertex and displays the following suboption prompt: Next/Previous/Break/Insert/Move/Regen/Straighten/eXit <N>: All of these functions perform the same function as for the 2D Polylines, except that they accept general, three dimensional points in all cases. \ If you select a polygon mesh the following prompt is displayed: Edit vertex/Smooth surface/Desmooth/Mclose/Nclose/Undo/eXit <X>: "Mclose" and "Nclose" will be replaced by "Mopen" and "Nopen" if the polygon mesh is currently closed. These functions are: Mclose, Nclose - Opens or closes a polygon mesh in the N and/or M Mopen, Nopen direction Smooth surface - Smoothes and desmoothes a polygon mesh Desmooth Edit vertex - Moves existing vertices \ The PEDIT command's Edit vertex option causes an "X" to appear at the first vertex of the mesh and displays the following suboption prompt: Vertex (m,n): Next/Previous/Left/Right/Up/Down/Move/REgen/eXit <N>: Next - Moves the "X" to the next vertex. Previous - Moves the "X" to the previous vertex. Left - Moves the "X" forward to the next vertex in the N direction. Right - Moves the "X" backward to the next vertex in the N direction. Up - Moves the "X" up to the next vertex in the M direction. Down - Moves the "X" down to the next vertex in the M direction. Move - Repositions the marked vertex. REgen - Redisplays the polygon mesh. eXit - Exits to the general mesh editing command. See also: "Pedit Command -- Polyline/Mesh Editing" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PEDIT,Close/Join/Width/Edit vertex/Fit curve/Spline curve/Decurve/Undo/eXit <X>: \PEDIT,Open/Join/Width/Edit vertex/Fit curve/Spline curve/Decurve/Undo/eXit <X>: The PEDIT command is editing a selected 2D Polyline. The options are: Close/Open - Opens or closes the Polyline. Join - Joins polylines, line segments, or arcs into one Polyline. Width - Changes the width of the Polyline. Edit Vertex - Moves existing vertices or inserts new ones. Fit curve - Fits a curve to the selected Polyline. Spline curve - Fits a spline curve to the selected Polyline's control points. Decurve - Removes curve fit information from the selected Polyline. Undo - Undoes the most recent operation. eXit - Returns to the Command: prompt. See also: chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PEDIT,Next/Previous/Break/Insert/Move/Regen/Straighten/Tangent/Width/eXit <N>: The PEDIT command is editing individual vertices of a selected 2D Polyline. A marker is placed on the current vertex. The options are: Next - Proceeds to the next vertex. Previous - Moves back to the previous vertex. Break - Selects the current vertex as the first point of a break. Insert - Inserts a new vertex at the specified location. Move - Moves the current vertex to a new specified location. Regen - Regenerates the selected Polyline, showing changes. Straighten - Removes all vertices between two selected vertices. Tangent - Specifies a new tangent direction for an arc segment. Width - Specifies the width of the Polyline at the current vertex. eXit - Returns to the main PEDIT prompt. See also: chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PEDIT,Close/Edit vertex/Spline curve/Decurve/Undo/eXit <X>: \PEDIT,Open/Edit vertex/Spline curve/Decurve/Undo/eXit <X>: The PEDIT command is editing a selected 3D Polyline. The options are: Close/Open - Opens or closes the Polyline. Edit Vertex - Moves existing vertices or inserts new ones. Spline curve - Fits a spline curve to the selected Polyline's control points. Decurve - Removes curve fit information from the selected Polyline. Undo - Undoes the most recent operation. eXit - Returns to the Command: prompt. See also: chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PEDIT,Next/Previous/Break/Insert/Move/Regen/Straighten/eXit <N>: The PEDIT command is editing individual vertices of a selected 3D Polyline. A marker is placed on the current vertex. The options are: Next - Proceeds to the next vertex. Previous - Moves back to the previous vertex. Break - Selects the current vertex as the first point of a break. Insert - Inserts a new vertex at the specified location. Move - Moves the current vertex to a new specified location. Regen - Regenerates the selected Polyline, showing changes. Straighten - Removes all vertices between two selected vertices. eXit - Returns to the main PEDIT prompt. See also: chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PEDIT,Edit vertex/Smooth surface/Desmooth The PEDIT command is editing a selected polygon mesh. A marker is placed at the current vertex. The options are: Edit vertex - Moves existing vertices. Smooth surface - Surface fits to the polygon mesh. Desmooth - Removes surface fit vertex information. Mclose/Nclose - Closes the polygon mesh in the M/N direction. Mopen/Nopen - Opens the polygon mesh in the M/N direction. Undo - Undoes the most recent operation. eXit - Returns to the main PEDIT prompt. See also: chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PEDIT,Vertex (m,n): Next/Previous/Left/Right/Up/Down/Move/REgen/eXit <N>: The PEDIT command is editing the individual vertices of a polygon mesh. A marker is placed at the current vertex. The options allow you to move the marker to a selected vertex, specify a new location for that vertex (with the Move option), and regenerate the mesh showing the latest changes. See also: chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PEDIT,Enter new width for all segments The PEDIT command allows you to change the width of all segments to a uniform width. A real number can be entered, or two points can be picked from the screen. \PEDIT,Next/Previous/Go/Exit The PEDIT command's Edit vertex option is expecting a vertex to be selected as the stopping point for a Break or Straighten operation. \PEDIT,Enter location The PEDIT command's Edit vertex option is expecting a location to place the new vertex. Any form of point specification is allowed; the Z component is ignored for 2D Polylines. \PEDIT,Enter new location The PEDIT command's Edit vertex option is expecting a new location for the current vertex. Any form of point specification is allowed; the Z component is ignored for 2D Polylines. \PEDIT,Direction of tangent The PEDIT command's Edit vertex option is expecting a new tangent direction from the current vertex for curve fitting. \PEDIT,Enter starting width The PEDIT command is asking for a width to apply to the first, or current, vertex. You can enter a real number or pick two points. \PEDIT,Enter ending width The PEDIT command is asking for a width to apply to the next vertex. You can enter a real number or pick two points. \PERIMETER PERIMETER Perimeter computed by AREA, LIST, or DBLIST (read-only). \PICKBOX PICKBOX Object selection target height, in pixels. \PFACE The PFACE command produces a general, polygon mesh of arbitrary topology. Whereas other kinds of meshes represent single, coherent objects, such as surface patches, a Pface mesh represents what might appear to be numerous unrelated elements. For example, a Pface mesh can represent a solid created by Boolean operations, consisting of pieces belonging to many different primitives, each with a different layer or color. Format: PFACE Vertex 1: Vertex 2: (enter RETURN) Face 1, vertex 1: Face 1, vertex 2: Face 2, vertex 1: Face 2, vertex 2: \ You enter all the vertices used in the mesh. There is no limit to the number of vertices you can enter. You can specify them as 2D or 3D points, and place them at any distance from one another. After entering the last vertex, enter a blank line (a null response such as RETURN). AutoCAD prompts for the vertices that make up the faces. You define each face by entering vertex numbers for all the vertices of that face. After entering the last vertex, enter a blank line. AutoCAD prompts for the next face. To finish defining the faces, enter another blank line. AutoCAD draws the mesh. \PICKBOX PICKBOX Object selection target height, in pixels. \PLAN The PLAN command puts the display in Plan view (VPOINT 0,0,1) with respect to either the current UCS, a previously saved coordinate system, or the World Coordinate System. Format: PLAN <Current UCS>/UCS/World: The various options are described next. Current UCS - A null response sets the display to plan view with respect to the current User Coordinate System UCS - Sets the display to plan view with respect to a previously saved coordinate system World - Sets the display to plan view with respect to the World Coordinate System See also: "Plan Command -- Set Plan View of Specified UCS" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PLINE The PLINE command draws Polylines. A Polyline is a connected sequence of line and arc segments treated as a single entity. Format: PLINE From point: (select) Current line-width is nnn Line mode: Arc/Close/Halfwidth/Length/Undo/Width/<Endpoint of line>: Arc mode: Angle/CEnter/CLose/Direction/Halfwidth/Line/Radius/ Second pt/Undo/Width/<Endpoint of arc>: To alter an existing Polyline, use the PEDIT command. See also: "Pline Command -- 2D Polylines" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PLINE,Starting half-width The PLINE command is requesting a real number or two point picks to use as the default distance between the Polyline's center line and its outside edge at the current vertex. As the option indicates, this is one-half of the total Polyline width. This distance becomes the default for the Ending half-width, which you will be prompted for next. Changing the Ending half-width causes the Polyline to taper between the vertices. \PLINE,Ending half-width The PLINE command is requesting a real number or two point picks to use as the Ending half-width. The default is the Starting half-width. Using an Ending half-width that is different causes the Polyline to taper between the vertices. \PLOT The PLOT command sends your drawing to your plotter or to a specified file. Chapter 13 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual fully documents plotting and the PLOT and PRPLOT commands. Plotting can also be initiated from the Main menu. Format: PLOT What to plot -- Display, Extents, Limits, View, or Window <D>: In order to plot to a file, you must first configure the target plotter, just as if you were going to send plot output directly to the plotter. During this configuration, you will be asked if you want to write the plot to a file and the plot filename. See also: Chapter 13 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \POINT The POINT command permits you to place a Point entity in the drawing. Points are useful as "nodes" for object snap purposes. Format: POINT Point: (designate point) The appearance of Points in your drawing is governed by the PDMODE system variable. A "slide" file is provided to illustrate the various forms a point can take. To view it, enter "VSLIDE acad(points)". See also: "Point Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. For help on formats for entering points, use "Help Points". \POINTS \3D You can enter points, or coordinates, in any of the following ways: Absolute: x,y Relative: @deltax,deltay Polar: @dist<angle Normally, distances, points, and angles are entered as decimal numbers, or in scientific notation. However, you can also use the UNITS command to specify linear values in terms of feet and inches, or angles in terms of degrees/minutes/seconds, grads, radians, or surveyor's units. For the commands that accept 3D points, you can include a Z coordinate in the absolute and relative formats: Absolute: x,y,z Relative: @deltax,deltay,deltaz Spherical: @dist<ang1<ang2 Cylindrical: @dist<ang,z If you omit the Z coordinate, the current elevation is used. \ Polar, spherical and cylindrical coordinates can now be entered with or without a leading "@". The leading "@" is the relative format while absence of the "@" indicates absolute format. A leading "*" (or "*" following "@") denotes a World point. X/Y/Z filters can be used to compose a full point from the X, Y, and Z components of intermediate points. For instance, the filter ".X" will instruct AutoCAD to use just the X coordinate of the following point. The Y (and possibly Z) values will then be requested. See also: "Entity Selection" in chapter 2 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. "Units Command -- Format Control" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \POLYGON The POLYGON command allows you to draw regular polygons with anywhere from 3 to 1024 sides. The size of the polygon can be specified by the radius of a circle in which it is inscribed or about which it is circumscribed, or by the length of an edge. Format: POLYGON Number of sides: Edge/<Center of polygon>: (enter a point) Inscribed in circle/Circumscribed about circle (I/C): Radius of circle: If you reply with "i", you should then enter the radius of a circle on which all the vertices of the polygon will lie. You can enter the radius numerically, or pick a point relative to the center of the polygon. If you pick a point, a vertex of the polygon will be drawn at that point. If you reply with "c", you should then enter the radius of a circle on which the midpoint of each edge of the polygon will lie. You can enter a number or pick a point relative to the center of the polygon. If you pick a point, an edge midpoint will be drawn at that point. \ For both the Inscribed and Circumscribed options, you can "drag" the circle radius. If you specify the radius numerically, the bottom edge of the polygon will be drawn at the current Snap rotation angle. If you reply with "edge", you can specify the polygon by designating the endpoints of one of its edges. AutoCAD will then prompt: First endpoint of edge: Second endpoint of edge: See also: "Polygon Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \POLYGON,Number of sides The POLYGON command is requesting an integer value (a whole number) to use as the number of sides for the polygon being created. \POPUPS POPUPS 1 if the currently configured display driver supports dialogue boxes, the menu bar, pull-down menus, and icon menus. 0 if these advanced user interface features are not available (read-only). \PRPLOT The PRPLOT command causes a hard copy of the drawing to be produced on a printer/plotter -- a printer with graphics capability. It also has the option to send the print plot to a file for later printer plotting. Chapter 13 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual fully documents plotting and the PLOT and PRPLOT commands. Printer plotting can also be initiated from the Main menu. Format: PRPLOT What to plot -- Display, Extents, Limits, View, or Window <D>: In order to printer plot to a file, you must first configure the target printer/plotter just as if you were going to send printer-plot output directly to the printer plotter. During this configuration, you will be asked if you want to write the plot to a file and the plot filename. See also: Chapter 13 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PSPACE The PSPACE command switches from model space to paper space. TILEMODE must be set to 0 (off) before you can use this command (see the section "The TILEMODE System Variable" in chapter 6). Format: PSPACE See also: "Pspace Command -- Switch to Paper Space" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PURGE During the course of editing a drawing, you can define Blocks, dimension styles, layers, linetypes, Shape files, and Text styles that subsequently are left unused. The PURGE command allows you to discard these unused objects. Format: PURGE Purge unused Blocks/Dimstyles/LAyers/LTypes/SHapes/STyles/All: Reply with the object type you want to purge. PURGE responds with the name of each such object that is unused, and asks whether you want to purge it. PURGE can be used at any time after starting to edit an existing drawing, until you have issued a command which modifies the drawing database. See also: "Purge Command" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \PURGE,Purge The PURGE command is asking for confirmation before discarding the unused object. \QTEXT The QTEXT command governs "quick text" mode. If QTEXT mode is off (the normal case), text items are fully drawn. If QTEXT mode is on, only a rectangle is drawn enclosing the area of each text item. Format: QTEXT ON/OFF <current>: See also: "Qtext Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \QTEXTMODE QTEXTMODE Quick text mode on if 1, off if 0. \QUIT The QUIT command exits from the drawing editor, discarding all updates to the current drawing, and returns you to the Main menu. If you then wish to exit entirely, select item 0 from the Main menu. Format: QUIT Really want to discard all changes to drawing? If you reply with anything other than "y" or "yes", the QUIT command is ignored, and you can continue editing. See also: "Quit Command" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \RATVMAX RATVMAX Maximum number of vertices per face (read-only). \REDEFINE \UNDEFINE The UNDEFINE and REDEFINE commands let you override the AutoCAD built-in commands with versions implemented in AutoLISP or via external programs listed in the ACAD.PGP file. For instance, to undefine the AutoCAD QUIT command, you would enter: Command: UNDEFINE Command name: QUIT and to redefine it, you would enter: Command: REDEFINE Command name: QUIT Even if a command is undefined, you can still use it if you precede the command name with a period, as in ".QUIT". See also: appendix B of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \REDO If REDO is entered immediately after a command that undoes something (U, UNDO Back, or UNDO nnn), it will undo the UNDO. An UNDO after the REDO will redo the original UNDO. See also: "Redo Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \REDRAW The REDRAW command causes the current viewport to be redrawn, eliminating any point entry "blips" from the display and causing the current viewport to appear opaque over any viewports behind it. Setting BLIPMODE (q.v.) to off can suppress the drawing of "blips." Format: REDRAW The REDRAWALL command can be used to redraw all active viewports. Both commands can be used transparently as 'REDRAW and 'REDRAWALL. See also: "Redraw Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \REDRAWALL The REDRAWALL command performs a REDRAW in all viewports, eliminating all point entry "blips" from each viewport. Note: Setting BLIPMODE to off suppresses the drawing of "blips." Format: REDRAWALL The REDRAW command can be used to redraw the current viewport only, causing it to appear opaque over any viewports behind it. Both commands can be used transparently as 'REDRAW and 'REDRAWALL. See also: "Redrawall and Regenall Commands" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \REGEN The REGEN command regenerates the entire drawing and redraws it on the screen. Format: REGEN See also: "Regen Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \REGENALL The REGENALL command performs a REGEN in all viewports, regenerating and redrawing the drawing in each viewport. Format: REGENALL See also: "Redrawall and Regenall Commands" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \REGENAUTO Some commands can change many entities at once. The drawing must be regenerated to reflect such a change, so some commands perform this regeneration automatically. The REGENAUTO command lets you control whether such automatic regens are performed. Format: REGENAUTO ON/OFF <current>: If REGENAUTO is off and a ZOOM or PAN needs to regenerate the drawing, AutoCAD displays this prompt: About to regen, proceed? <Y> A "no" response aborts the PAN or ZOOM. This message does not appear if input is coming from a menu item or a script. See also: "Regenauto Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \REGENMODE REGENMODE Regenauto on if 1, off if 0. \RENAME The RENAME command lets you change the names of Blocks, layers, linetypes, text styles, named views, User Coordinate Systems, and viewport configurations in your drawing. Format: RENAME Block/Dimstyle/LAyer/LType/Style/Ucs/VIew/VPort: Old (object) name: (old name) New (object) name: (new name) See also: "Rename Command" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \RESUME The RESUME command can be used to return to a command script that has been interrupted due to an error or keyboard input. Format: RESUME See also: "Resume Command" in chapter 11 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \REVSURF The REVSURF command creates a surface of revolution by rotating a curve path around a selected rotation axis. Format: REVSURF Select path curve: (Select an entity) Select axis of rotation: (Select an entity) Start angle <0>: (Enter an angle value) Included angle (+=ccw, -=cw) <Full circle>: (Enter an angle value) The path curve can be a Line, Arc, Circle, 2D or 3D Polyline. It will be rotated around the selected axis to define the surface. The path curve defines the N direction of the mesh while the axis of revolution determines the M direction of the mesh. The start angle specification allows you to start drawing the surface of revolution at an offset from the generating path; its default is 0. The included angle specifies the extent of the surface of revolution. \ The system variable SURFTAB1 controls the number of tabulation lines generated in the M direction, while SURFTAB2 controls the number of tabulations generated in the N direction. See also: "Revsurf Command -- Surfaces of Revolution" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ROTATE The ROTATE command can be used to rotate existing entities. Format: ROTATE Select objects: (Do so) Base point: (point) <Rotation angle>/Reference: If you respond to the last prompt with a numeric angle, this is taken as a relative angle (number of degrees) by which the selected objects will be rotated from their current orientation, around the specified base point. A positive angle causes counterclockwise rotation, and a negative angle produces clockwise rotation. If you respond to the last prompt with "r", you can specify the current rotation and the new rotation you want. AutoCAD prompts: Rotation angle <0>: New angle: \ You can even "show" AutoCAD the reference angle (by pointing to the two endpoints of a line to be rotated), and then specify the new angle. You can specify the new angle by pointing or by dragging the object. See also: "Rotate Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \RSCRIPT If a script file has been invoked using the SCRIPT command from the drawing editor, an RSCRIPT command encountered in the script file causes the script to be restarted from the beginning. Format: RSCRIPT See also: "Rscript Command -- Continuous Scripts" in chapter 11 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \RULESURF The RULESURF command creates a polygon mesh representing the ruled surface between two curves. Format: RULESURF Select first defining curve: (Pick an entity) Select second defining curve: (Pick an entity) The curves can be Lines, Points, Arcs, Circles, 2D Polylines, or 3D Polylines. If one boundary is closed, then the other must also be closed. You can use a Point as the other boundary for either an open or a closed curve, but both boundary curves cannot be Points. The ruled surface is constructed as a 2 x X polygon mesh, where X is the number of tabulations to be generated in the M direction (specified by the system variable SURFTAB1), while 2 tabulations are generated in the N direction. See also: "Rulesurf Command -- Ruled Surfaces" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SAVE The SAVE command allows you to update your drawing on disk periodically without exiting the drawing editor. Format: SAVE File name: (name or RETURN) The current drawing file is the default output file, but you can specify another filename explicitly. Do not include a file type; ".dwg" is assumed. See also: "Save Command -- Updating Without Exit" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SCALE The SCALE command lets you change the size of existing entities. The same scale factor is applied to X and Y dimensions. Format: SCALE Select objects: (Do so) Base point: (point) <Scale factor>/Reference: If you respond to the last prompt with a number, this is taken as a relative scale factor by which all dimensions of the selected objects will be multiplied. To enlarge an object, enter a scale factor greater than 1. To shrink an object, use a scale factor between 0 and 1. If you respond to the last prompt with "r", you can specify the current length and the new length you want. AutoCAD prompts: Reference length <1>: New length: You can "show" AutoCAD the reference length (by pointing to the two endpoints of a line to be scaled), and then specify the new length. You can specify the new length by pointing, or by dragging the object. See also: "Scale Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SCREENSIZE SCREENSIZE Current viewport size in pixels, X and Y (read-only). \SCRIPT The SCRIPT command causes commands to be read from the specified script file. Format: SCRIPT Script file <default>: (name) Commands are read from the script file until the end of the file is reached, a character (preferably BACKSPACE) is entered from the keyboard, or a command error occurs. If the script is terminated early due to a command error or by keyboard entry, it can be resumed using the RESUME command. The RSCRIPT command can be inserted in the script file to restart the script from the beginning. See also: "Script Command" in chapter 11 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SELECT The SELECT command lets you designate a group of objects as the current selection-set. This group can be referenced as the Previous selection-set in subsequent commands. Format: SELECT Select objects: (do so) See also: "Entity Selection" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \EDIT \INQUIRY EDIT INQUIRY Most of the AutoCAD edit and inquiry commands issue a "Select objects: " prompt. You can point to objects on the screen to form a "selection-set" of objects upon which the command should operate. The following options are available: (point) = One object Multiple = Multiple objects selected by pointing Last = Last object Previous = All objects in the Previous selection-set Window = Objects within Window Crossing = Objects within or Crossing window BOX = Automatic Crossing (to the left) or Window (to the right) AUto = Automatic BOX (if pick in empty area) or single object pick SIngle = One selection (any type) Add = Add mode: adds following objects to selection-set Remove = Remove mode: removes following objects from selection-set Undo = Undoes/removes last When you are satisfied with the selection-set as it stands, enter RETURN (except for Single mode, which does not require an extra RETURN). See also: chapter 2 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SETVAR Many AutoCAD commands set various modes, sizes, and limits that then remain in effect until you change them. AutoCAD remembers these values by storing them in a collection of "system variables". The SETVAR command allows you to examine and change these variables directly. Format: SETVAR Variable name or ?: Variable(s) to list <*>: If you answer with "?" and a RETURN for the second prompt, AutoCAD flips to the text screen and displays the names and current values of all system variables. Some system variables cannot be changed; these will be flagged in the output by the legend "(read only)" following the value. If you enter the name of a variable that is not read-only, you will receive the prompt: New value for varname <current>: where "varname" is replaced by the variable name, and "current" is the current value of the variable. If you respond to this prompt by pressing RETURN or CTRL C, the variable will be left unchanged. See also: "Setvar Command -- Access to AutoCAD System Variables" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SHADE The SHADE command initiates the shading process. The SHADEDGE and SHADEDIF commands control the shade style and lighting. The shading is performed in two phases; in the first, a normal REGEN is performed. The shaded image is constructed in the second phase. In the second phase of shading, AutoCAD displays the percentage completed as it builds the image: Shading xx% done. Shading complete. See also: "Shade Command -- Shading and Hidden Line Display" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SHADEDGE SHADEDGE 0 = Faces shaded, edges not highlighted 1 = Faces shaded, edges drawn in background color 2 = Faces not filled, edges in entity color 3 = Faces in entity color, edges in background color \SHADEDIF SHADEDIF Ratio of ambient to diffuse light (in percent of ambient light). \SHAPE The SHAPE command inserts a defined Shape into the drawing, provided that the Shape definitions have been loaded using the LOAD command. Format: SHAPE Shape name (or ?) <default>: (shape name) Starting point: (point) Height <1.0>: (value) Rotation angle <0>: (angle) If you reply to the first prompt with "?", the following prompt is displayed: Shape(s) to list <*>: Entering a RETURN at this prompt will list the names of all Shapes currently loaded in the drawing. Wild-card specifications are also allowed at this prompt. See also: "Shape Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SH \SHELL The SHELL command allows you to execute utility programs or user-supplied programs while still running AutoCAD. The SH command is similar, but allows only internal DOS commands to be executed. Format: SHELL DOS command: (enter desired program name, or RETURN) When the utility program is done, you can enter another AutoCAD command. If you reply to the "DOS command:" prompt with RETURN, a prompt such as "C>>" (a normal DOS prompt with an extra ">" appended) appears. You can now enter multiple DOS commands, just as you would at the normal DOS prompt. To return to AutoCAD from this mode, enter "exit". NOTE: There are some restrictions on the programs you can run from AutoCAD. See also: "Shell and Sh Commands -- Access to Operating System" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SKETCH The SKETCH command allows you to do freehand drawings. It requires a pointing device such as a digitizing tablet or mouse. Format: SKETCH Record increment <current>: (value) Sketch. Pen eXit Quit Record Erase Connect . Subcommands: P - Raises/lowers sketching pen X - Records temporary lines, and exit Sketch Q - Discards temporary lines, and exit Sketch R - Records temporary lines, but remain in Sketch E - Erases temporary lines from a specified point to the end C - Connect: restarts sketch at last endpoint . - Draws line from end to current point (pen up) See also: "Sketch Command -- Freehand Drawing" in chapter 12 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SKETCHINC SKETCHINC Sketch record increment. \SKPOLY SKPOLY Sketch generates lines if 0, Polylines if 1. \SNAP The "snap resolution" is the spacing of an imaginary grid of dots with which newly designated points must align. The SNAP command allows you to change the snap resolution or to turn it off entirely for freestyle drawing. Format: SNAP Snap spacing or ON/OFF/Aspect/Rotate/Style <current>: The meaning of each option is described next. NUMBER - Sets alignment spacing ON - Aligns designated points OFF - Does not align designated points ROTATE - Rotates snap grid by specified angle, and sets a specified base point for the grid ASPECT - Sets different X/Y snap resolution STYLE ISO - Sets isometric Snap style STYLE STANDARD - Sets normal Snap style See also: "Snap Command" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SNAPANG SNAPANG Snap/grid rotation angle (UCS-relative) for the current viewport. \SNAPBASE SNAPBASE Snap/grid origin point for the current viewport (in UCS XY coordinates). \SNAPISOPAIR SNAPISOPAIR Current isometric plane (0 = left, 1 = top, 2 = right) for the current viewport. \SNAPMODE SNAPMODE 1 = snap on for current viewport; 0 = snap off. \SNAPSTYL SNAPSTYL Snap style for current viewport (0 = standard, 1 = isometric). \SNAPUNIT SNAPUNIT Snap spacing for current viewport, X and Y. \SOLID The SOLID command allows you to draw solid-filled regions by entering them as quadrilateral or triangular sections. Format: SOLID First point: (point) Second point: (point) Third point: (point) Fourth point: (point, or RETURN for triangular section) Third point: (point, or RETURN to end solid) See also: "Solid Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SPLFRAME SPLFRAME If = 1: - the control polygon for spline fit Polylines is to be displayed - only the defining mesh of a surface fit polygon mesh is displayed (the fit surface is not displayed) - invisible edges of 3D Faces are displayed. If = 0: - does not display the control polygon for spline fit Polylines - displays the fit surface of a polygon mesh, not the defining mesh - does not display the invisible edges of 3D Faces \SPLINESEGS SPLINESEGS The number of line segments to be generated for each spline patch. \SPLINETYPE SPLINETYPE Type of spline curve to be generated by PEDIT Spline. The valid values are: 5 = quadratic B-spline 6 = cubic B-spline. \STATUS The STATUS command produces a report describing the current drawing extents and the current settings of various drawing modes and parameters. Format: STATUS NOTE: In dimensioning mode, the STATUS command lists the dimensioning variables and their current values. See also: "Status Command" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \STRETCH The STRETCH command allows you to move a selected portion of a drawing, preserving connections to parts of the drawing left in place. Connections made with Lines, Arcs, Traces, Solids, Polylines, and 3D Faces can be STRETCHed. Format: STRETCH Select objects to stretch by window... Select objects: While you may use any of AutoCAD's forms of object selection in the STRETCH command, you must use a window-style selection (either Crossing or Window) at least once. The last window specified will be the window moved by STRETCH. Objects can be freely added and removed from the selection set. \ Once the selection set is specified, STRETCH asks you: Base point: New point: and displays a rubber-band line attached to the base point you enter. After you pick the "New point", all the chosen objects will be moved or stretched as appropriate. STRETCH behaves differently depending on the entity type it is examining. Endpoints of Lines which fall within the box are moved and endpoints outside the box are left unchanged. Arcs are handled like Lines, except that the center and start and end angles are adjusted so that the sagitta of the Arc (distance from the midpoint of the chord to the Arc) is held constant. For Traces and Solids, vertices within the box are moved and vertices outside are left unchanged. Polylines are handled segment by segment as if they were primitive Lines or Arcs. Closed Polylines are handled properly, and width, tangent, and curve-fitting information is not modified by STRETCH. See also: "Stretch Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \STRETCH,Select objects While you can use any of AutoCAD's forms of object selection in the STRETCH command, you must use a window-style selection (either Crossing or Window) at least once. The last window specified will be the window moved by STRETCH. Objects can be freely added and removed from the selection set. \STYLE The STYLE command lets you create new text styles and modify existing ones. Each text style uses a particular font, to which you can apply a fixed height, an expansion/compression width factor, and an obliquing (slant) angle. You can also select backward (mirrored right to left) or upside-down (mirrored top to bottom) text generation. Format: STYLE Text style name (or ?) <current>: (name) Font file <default>: (filename) Height <default>: (value) Width factor <default>: (scale factor) Obliquing angle <default>: (angle) Backwards? <N> Upside-down? <N> Vertical? <N> (name) is now the current text style. The style you create or modify becomes the current text style used for newly drawn Text entities. See also: "Style Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SURFTAB1 SURFTAB1 Number of tabulations to be generated for RULESURF and TABSURF. Also mesh density in the M direction for REVSURF and EDGESURF. \SURFTAB2 SURFTAB2 Mesh density in the N direction for REVSURF and EDGESURF. \SURFTYPE SURFTYPE Type of surface fitting to be performed by PEDIT Smooth. The valid values are: 5 = Quadratic B-spline surface 6 = Cubic B-spline surface 8 = Bezier surface. \SURFU SURFU Surface density in the M direction. \SURFV SURFV Surface density in the N direction. \TABLET The TABLET command is used when an existing hardcopy drawing is to be "copied" with a digitizing tablet. You can also use the TABLET command to designate Tablet menu areas and the portion of the tablet to be used as the screen pointing area. Formats: TABLET ON - Turns tablet mode on TABLET OFF - Turns tablet mode off TABLET CAL - Calibrates tablet to existing drawing TABLET CFG - Configures tablet menus and screen pointing area See also: "Tablet Command" in chapter 12 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \TABSURF The TABSURF command creates a polygon mesh representing a general tabulated cylinder defined by a path and a direction vector. Format: TABSURF Select path curve: (Pick an entity) Select direction vector: (Pick an entity) The path can be a Line, Arc, Circle, 2D Polyline, or 3D Polyline. The surface will be drawn starting at the point of the path curve closest to your pick point. The direction vector can be a Line, 2D Polyline, or 3D Polyline. It is determined by subtracting the endpoint of the entity closest to your pick point from the entity's other endpoint. The tabulated cylinder is constructed as a 2 x X polygon mesh, where X is the number of tabulations to be generated in the M direction (specified by the system variable SURFTAB1), while 2 tabulations are generated in the N direction. See also: "Tabsurf Command -- Tabulated Surfaces" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \TARGET TARGET Location (in UCS coordinates) of the target (look-at) point for the current viewport (read-only). \TDCREATE TDCREATE Time and date of drawing creation (read-only) (special format; see later). \TDINDWG TDINDWG Total editing time (read-only) (special format; see later). \TDUPDATE TDUPDATE Time and date of last update/save (read-only) (special format; see later). \TDUSRTIMER TDUSRTIMER User elapsed timer (read-only) (special format; see later). \TEMPPREFIX TEMPPREFIX This variable contains the directory name (if any) configured for placement of temporary files, with a path separator appended if necessary (read-only). \TEXT The TEXT command draws text of any desired size and angle. Format: TEXT Justify/Style/<Start Point>: (point) Height <default>: (value or two points) Rotation angle <default>: (angle or point) Text: (text string to be drawn) If you enter a point for the "Starting point", the text is drawn left-justified at that point. Alternatively, you can reply: A - Aligns the text between two designated endpoints Height and Angle are not requested in this case C - Centers the text around a specified point F - Aligns the text between two designated endpoints with a specified height that varies only in its X scale factor M - Centers text both horizontally and vertically around a specified point R - Right-justifies the text at a designated endpoint S - Selects a different text style TL - Starts the top-left portion of text at a given start point TC - Centers the top of text at a given point TR - Ends the top of text at a given point \ ML - Starts the top-left portion of text at a given start point MC - Centers the middle of text at a given point MR - Ends the middle of text at a given point BL - Starts the bottom-left portion of text at a given start point BC - Centers the bottom of text at a given point BR - Ends the bottom of text at a given point AutoCAD remembers the location and style of the most recent text item drawn. You can respond to the "Start point" prompt with RETURN to place more text below the most recent text. See also: "Text Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \TEXT,Justify/Style/<Start Enter a start point for text. Enter an "s" for the particular style you want to use or Enter "j" for the justification start point or any of the following: A - Aligns the text between two designated endpoints Height and Angle are not requested in this case C - Centers the text around a specified point F - Aligns the text between two designated endpoints with a specified height that varies only in its X scale factor M - Centers text both horizontally and vertically around a specified point R - Right-justifies the text at a designated endpoint S - Selects a different text style TL - Starts the top-left portion of text at a given start point TC - Centers the top of text at a given point TR - Ends the top of text at a given point ML - Starts the top-left portion of text at a given start point MC - Centers the middle of text at a given point MR - Ends the middle of text at a given point BL - Starts the bottom-left portion of text at a given start point BC - Centers the bottom of text at a given point BR - Ends the bottom of text at a given point \ATTDEF,Height \DTEXT,Height \TEXT,Height Enter a number for height or pick another point (height is the distance between the two points). \ATTDEF,Text \DTEXT,Text \TEXT,Text Enter text string at this prompt. \TEXTEVAL TEXTEVAL If = 0, all responses to prompts for text strings and Attribute values are taken literally. If = 1, text starting with "(" or "!" is evaluated as an AutoLISP expression, as for nontextual input. NOTE: The DTEXT command takes all input literally, regardless of the setting of TEXTEVAL. \TEXTSCR \GRAPHSCR The GRAPHSCR and TEXTSCR commands are provided as a convenient means of selecting either the graphics or text screens from within menus and scripts. Format: 'GRAPHSCR or 'TEXTSCR See also: "Graphscr and Textscr Commands" in chapter 11 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \TEXTSIZE TEXTSIZE The default height for new Text entities drawn with the current text style (meaningless if the style has a fixed height). \TEXTSTYLE TEXTSTYLE This variable contains the name of the current text style (read-only). \THICKNESS THICKNESS Current 3D thickness. \TILEMODE TILEMODE 1 = Release 10 compatibility mode (uses Vports) 0 = Enables paper space and Viewport entities \TIME TIME When you enter the TIME command, the current status of the AutoCAD time variables is displayed, as shown next. Command: TIME Current time: 08 NOV 1985 at 09:10:44.005 Drawing created: 23 JUL 1985 at 07:21:30.648 Drawing last updated: 18 SEP 1985 at 15:33:59.771 Time in drawing editor: 0 days 00:02:54.520 Elapsed timer: 0 days 00:00:30.772 Timer on. All times are displayed to the nearest millisecond using 24-hour "military" format, where 15:31:00 means 3:31 in the afternoon. The TIME command next prompts: \ Display/ON/OFF/Reset: where: Display - Repeats the display shown above, with updated times On - Starts the user elapsed timer if it was off (default on) Off - Stops the user elapsed timer Reset - Clears the user elapsed timer to zero See also: "Time Command" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \TRACE The TRACE command allows you to draw Traces (solid-filled lines of specified width). Format: TRACE Trace width <current>: From point: (point) To point: (point) To point: (point) To point: (RETURN to end trace entry) Traces may be constrained to horizontal or vertical by the ORTHO command. See also: "Trace Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \TRACEWID TRACEWID Default trace width. \TRIM The TRIM command allows you to trim objects in a drawing so they end precisely at a "cutting edge" defined by one or more other objects in the drawing. Format: TRIM Select cutting edge(s)... Select objects: Lines, Arcs, Circles, and 2D Polylines (center line of Polyline) can serve as boundary objects. All the selected edges are highlighted and will remain highlighted for the rest of the TRIM command. Next the prompt: <Select object to trim>/Undo: appears. Pick objects to trim by pointing to the part of the object to be trimmed. Entering the Undo subcommand undoes the most recent change, back to the first change made during the current TRIM command. Answer with RETURN to end the command. Lines, Arcs, Circles and open 2D Polylines can be trimmed. \ If the selected point is between two intersections, the entity will be deleted between the two intersection points. 2D Polylines are trimmed at their center line. See also: "Trim Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \TRIM,Select objects Lines, Arcs, Circles, and 2D Polylines (center line of Polyline) can serve as boundary objects. All the selected edges are highlighted and will remain highlighted for the rest of the TRIM command. \U The U command causes the most recent operation to be undone. The name of the command being undone will be displayed. You can enter the U command as many times as you wish, backing up one step at a time, until the drawing is in its original state. See also: "U Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \UCS The UCS command is used to define or modify the current User Coordinate System. Format: UCS Origin/ZAxis/3point/Entity/View/X/Y/Z/Prev/Restore/Save/Del/?/<World>: The options are described next: Del - Deletes one or more saved coordinate systems Entity - Defines a new UCS with the same extrusion direction as that of the selected entity Origin - Changes the origin of the current coordinate system Prev - Makes the previous coordinate system current Restore - Restores a saved coordinate system as the current system Save - Saves and names the current coordinate system View - Establishes a new coordinate system whose Z axis is parallel to the current view direction \ World - Sets the current UCS to equal the World Coordinate System X - Rotates the current UCS around the X axis Y - Rotates the current UCS around the Y axis Z - Rotates the current UCS around the Z axis ZAxis - Defines a UCS using two points, an origin point and a point on the positive portion of the Z axis 3point - Defines a UCS using three points, an origin point, a point on the positive portion of the X axis, and a point on the positive Y-portion of the XY plane ? - Lists the name of the current UCS, and the name, origin, and XYZ axes for each saved coordinate system See also: "Ucs Command" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \UCSFOLLOW UCSFOLLOW If = 1, any UCS change causes an automatic change to plan view of the new UCS (in the current viewport). If = 0, a UCS change doesn't affect the view. The setting of UCSFOLLOW is maintained separately for both spaces and can be accessed in either space, but the setting is ignored while in paper space (it is always treated as if set to 0). \UCSICON UCSICON The UCSICON command is used to indicate the origin and orientation of the current User Coordinate System. Format: UCSICON ON/OFF/All/Noorigin/ORigin <ON>: The various options are described next. All - Allows you to apply changes to all active viewports. ON - Turns the coordinate system icon on. OFF - Turns the coordinate system icon off. ORigin - Forces the icon to be displayed at the origin of the current coordinate system. If the origin is off screen, the icon is displayed at the lower-left corner of the screen. Noorigin - Forces the icon to be displayed at the lower-left corner of the screen at all times. See also: "Ucsicon Command" in chapter 8 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ UCSICON is also a system variable and can be changed through the SETVAR command: The coordinate system icon bit-code for the current viewport (sum of the following): 1 = On - icon display enabled 2 = Origin - if icon display is enabled, the icon floats to the UCS origin if possible \UCSNAME UCSNAME Name of the current coordinate system for the current space. Returns a null string if the current UCS is unnamed (read-only). \UCSORG UCSORG The origin point of the current coordinate system for the current space. This value is always returned in World coordinates (read-only). \UCSXDIR UCSXDIR The X-direction of the current UCS for the current space (read-only). \UCSYDIR UCSYDIR The Y-direction of the current UCS for the current space (read-only). \UNDO The UNDO command allows you to undo several commands at once and to perform several special operations, such as marking a point to which you want to return if things go wrong. When you enter UNDO, you get the prompt: Format: UNDO Auto/Back/Control/End/Group/Mark/<Number>: The default response is just to enter a number; this number of preceding operations will be undone. Mark - The Mark subcommand makes a special mark in the undo information, to which you can later back up with the Back subcommand. Group - The Group and End subcommands cause a group of commands to be End treated as a single command for the purposes of U and UNDO. A Group, once Ended, is always treated as a single, indivisible operation. Auto - The Auto subcommand requires an additional specification of on or off. When UNDO Auto is on, any operation taken from the menu, no matter how complicated, will be treated as a single command, reversible by a single U command. \ Back - The Back subcommand will take the drawing back to the state it was in when the most recent Mark subcommand was entered. Control - The Control subcommand allows you to limit the UNDO operation or disable it completely. It gives a further prompt: All/None/One <All>: All enables the full UNDO feature. None disables the U and UNDO commands entirely. Entering "1" limits U and UNDO to a single operation. This will make very modest demands on disk space. When UNDO is entered with One mode on, the prompt is reduced to: Control/ <1>: When UNDO is entered with None mode on, the prompt is: All/None/One <All>: See also: "Undo Command" in chapter 5 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \UNITMODE UNITMODE 0 = Displays feet and inches as previously 1 = Displays feet and inches in input format \UNITS The UNITS command governs the display and input formats for coordinates, distances, and angles. Format: UNITS You can then select one of the following display/input formats for coordinates and distances: Scientific 1.55E+01 (15.5 drawing units) Decimal 15.50 " Engineering 1'-3.50" " Architectural 1'-3 1/2" " Fractional 15 1/2 " You can also specify the precision (the number of digits after the decimal point, or the smallest fraction of an inch to display). \ You can select one of the following display/input formats for angles: Decimal degrees 42.5 Deg/min/sec 42d30'0.0" Grads 47.2222g Radians 0.7418r Surveyor's units N 47d30'0" E See also: "Units Command -- Format Control" in chapter 3 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \VIEW The VIEW command can be used to associate a name with the current view of the drawing, and to retrieve such named views. Format: VIEW ?/Delete/Restore/Save/Window: (select one) View name: (name) ? - Lists the named views for this drawing Delete - Deletes the named view Restore - Displays the specified view Save - Attaches "name" to current view of drawing Window - Attaches "name" to specified window See also: "View Command -- Named Views" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \USER1 \USER2 \USER3 \USER4 \USER5 USER1 USER2 USER3 USER4 USER5 Five variables for storage and retrieval of integer values. Intended for use by third-party developers. \USERR1 \USERR2 \USERR3 \USERR4 \USERR5 USERR1 USERR2 USERR3 USERR4 USERR5 Five variables for storage and retrieval of real numbers. Intended for use by third-party developers. \VIEWCTR VIEWCTR Center of view in current viewport, expressed in UCS coordinates (read-only). \VIEWDIR VIEWDIR The current viewport's viewing direction expressed in World coordinates. This describes the camera point as a 3D offset from the TARGET point (read-only). \VIEWMODE VIEWMODE Viewing mode bit-code for the current viewport (read-only). The value is the sum of the following: 1 = Perspective view active. 2 = Front clipping on. 4 = Back clipping on. 8 = UCS follow mode on. 16 = Front clip not at eye. If on, the front clip distance (FRONTZ) determines the front clipping plane. If off, FRONTZ is ignored and the front clipping plane is set to pass through the camera point (i.e., vectors behind the camera are not displayed). This flag is ignored if the front clipping bit (2) is off. \VIEWRES The VIEWRES command controls "fast zoom" mode and sets the resolution for circle and arc generation. Format: VIEWRES Do you want fast zooms? <Y> Enter circle zoom percent (1-20000) <100>: If you respond to the first prompt with "n", all ZOOMs, PANs, and "VIEW Restores" will perform regenerations, and thus run at the same speed as in previous versions of AutoCAD. If you respond "y", AutoCAD will maintain a large virtual screen for your drawing, and will perform ZOOMs, PANs, and "VIEW Restores" at REDRAW speed whenever possible. \ The "circle zoom percent" gives you control over the accuracy with which circles and arcs are drawn. Circles and arcs are drawn using many short line segments; the more lines, the smoother the circle or arc looks. It takes time to compute and display these lines, however. A "circle zoom percent" of 100 tells AutoCAD to us its internal method of determining how many lines without alteration. If you set it to higher than 100, more lines than normal will be drawn for each circle and arc whenever a REGEN occurs. If you want circles and arcs to be composed of fewer lines than normal (for faster drawing), you can enter a number less than 100. See also: "Viewres Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \VIEWSIZE VIEWSIZE Height of view in current viewport, expressed in drawing units (read-only). \VIEWTWIST VIEWTWIST View twist angle for the current viewport (read-only). \VISRETAIN When VISRETAIN is set to 0 (the default), On/Off and Freeze/Thaw settings for Xref-dependent layers are determined by their settings in the source drawing. This means that changes you make to these settings in the target drawing are discarded each time the Xref is reloaded. (AutoCAD reloads Xrefs when you load the target drawing into the Drawing Editor, plot it from the Main Menu, or use the Reload or Path options of the XREF command.) When VISRETAIN is set to 1, On/Off and Freeze/Thaw settings for Xref-dependent layers are determined by their settings in the target drawing. This means that any changes you make to these settings in the target drawing are preserved during reload operations. Color and linetype settings are not affected by VISRETAIN, but are always reset. \VPLAYER The VPLAYER command lets you control the visibility of layers on a per-viewport basis; that is, you can make a layer visible in one viewport (or a specific set of viewports) but invisible in all other viewports. This can be useful, for example, when you want to create an "annotation layer" that is visible only in a given viewport; AutoCAD plots entities on this layer only when plotting a viewport in which the layer is visible. In order to use the VPLAYER command, the system variable TILEMODE must be set to 0 (off). Format: VPLAYER ?/Freeze/Thaw/Reset/Newfrz/Vpvisdflt: ? - Use this option to obtain a list of layers that are frozen in a selected viewport. Freeze - This option allows you to freeze layers in a selected viewport. Thaw - This option thaws layers that were frozen in specific viewports using Vplayer Freeze or the DDLMODES command. Reset - Restores the default visibility setting for a layer in a given viewport. \ Newfrz - Creates new layers that are frozen in all viewports. This option provides a handy shortcut when you want to create a new layer that is visible only in a single viewport. Vpvisdflt - This option allows you to set a default visibility-per-viewport for any layer. This default setting determines the frozen/thawed state of the layer in new viewports. See also: "Vplayer Command" in chapter 7 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \VPOINT The VPOINT command asks you to select a 3D viewpoint, and regenerates the drawing as if you were viewing it from that point. All entities are drawn with the correct elevation and thickness, and projected as you would see them from the specified viewpoint. Format: VPOINT Rotate/<View point> <current X, Y, Z>: If you enter RETURN in response to the "Enter view point" prompt, a compass and axes tripod will be displayed to assist you in selecting a viewpoint. A viewpoint of 0,0,1 will return you to the normal 2D "top" or "plan" view. You can also use either VIEW Restore or ZOOM Previous to restore a prior view to the screen. The Rotate option lets you specify the new viewpoint in terms of two angles; one with respect to the X axis (in the XY plane) and another with respect to the Z axis. See also: "Vpoint Command -- Select 3D Viewpoint" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \VPOINTX \VPOINTY \VPOINTZ X, Y, and Z components of the current viewport's viewing direction, expressed in World coordinates. This describes the camera point as a 3D offset from the TARGET point. These variables will be discontinued in a future release, since the same values are now returned by the single variable VIEWDIR (read-only). \VIEWPORTS \VPORTS The VIEWPORTS (or VPORTS) command lets you divide the AutoCAD graphics display into multiple viewports, each of which can contain a different view of the current drawing. Format: VIEWPORTS Save/Restore/Delete/Join/SIngle/?/2/<3>/4: Save - Names the current viewport configuration and saves it for later retrieval. Restore - Replaces current viewport with named viewport configuration. Delete - Removes a viewport configuration from the list of saved ones. Join - Merges two viewports. SIngle - Turns off multiple views and returns to a single view. The single view is taken from the current active viewport. ? - Lists the named and current viewport configurations. 2 - Divides the current viewport in half. 3 - Divides the current viewport into 3 viewports. 4 - Divides the current viewport into 4 equal viewports. \ Note that you can move the cursor around the screen from viewport to viewport, but only when it is in the current viewport will it appear as a "drawing" cursor (crosshairs, window selection box, etc.); in any other viewport it will appear as a small arrow. Pressing the "select" button on your digitizer, while the cursor is in the arrow form, causes the viewport it is in to become the new current viewport. See also: "Vports Command -- Using Tiled Viewports" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \VSLIDE The VSLIDE command permits viewing of a slide made by the MSLIDE command, or of a slide from a library constructed by the SLIDELIB utility program. Formats: VSLIDE Slide file: name VSLIDE Slide file: library(slide-name) The current display is replaced by the named slide. To retrieve the display of the current drawing, use the REDRAW command. If you are using a command script to display a series of slides in succession, you can overlap the time necessary to load the next slide from disk with the viewing time of the current slide. This is done by preceding the filename with an asterisk. Format: VSLIDE Slide file: *name The named slide is read from disk into memory, but is not displayed until the next VSLIDE command is executed. See also: "Vslide Command -- Viewing a Slide" in chapter 11 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \VSMAX VSMAX The upper-right corner of the current viewport's virtual screen, expressed in UCS coordinates (read only). \VSMIN VSMIN The lower-left corner of the current viewport's virtual screen, expressed in UCS coordinates (read only). \WBLOCK The WBLOCK command writes all or part of a drawing out to a disk file. Format: WBLOCK Filename: (output file name) Block name: (see below) No file type should be specified; type ".dwg" is assumed. The different responses to the "Block name" prompt are: name - The named Block is written to the disk file. = - Same as above, but the Block name is the same as the filename. Places the entities of the Block definition in model space of the output drawing. * - The entire drawing is written to disk, except for unreferenced Block Definitions. Places all entities in the space that they are currently in, like END and SAVE. \ (blank) - Permits selection of individual objects to be written to disk. Also requests an insertion base point. Places the selected entities in the new drawing's model space, regardless of which space is current. See also: "Wblock Command -- Write Block to Disk" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \WORLDUCS WORLDUCS If = 1, the current UCS is the same as the World Coordinate System If = 0, it is not (read-only) \WORLDVIEW WORLDVIEW DVIEW and VPOINT command input is relative to the current UCS. If this variable is set to 1, the current UCS is changed to the WCS for the duration of a DVIEW or VPOINT command. Default value = 0. \XBIND The XBIND command allows you to "bind" one or more dependent symbols of an external reference. (You should use XBIND when you want to bind only a subset of an external reference's dependent symbols. If you want to bind an entire external reference you should use the Bind option of the XREF command.) Normally, dependent symbols of an external reference--a layer or Block, for example--are discarded at the end of the drawing session. Format: XBIND Block/Dimstyle/LAyer/LType/Style: Reply with the object type you want to XBIND. See also: "Xbind Command -- Add Dependent Symbols to Your Drawing" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \XREF The XREF command attaches external references to your drawing. Format: XREF ?/Bind/Detach/Path/Reload/<Attach>: Attach - Allows you to attach a new Xref to your drawing or insert a copy of an Xref that you've already attached. ? - Lists the Xrefs in your drawing and the drawing file associated with each one. Bind - Converts an external reference to an ordinary block. Bind also converts dependent symbols (blocks, dimstyles, layers, linetypes, styles, and nested Xrefs) of the former Xref into permanent symbols. Detach - Erases all insertions of an external reference and marks its definition for deletion. Path - Allows the editing of the path field. Reload - Updates one or more external references without leaving the drawing editor. \ The Xref command options ?, bind, detach, path and reload prompt for an Xref name. You can respond to the prompt with the name of a single Xref, a list of Xrefs delimited by commas, or a valid wild-card specification. You can enter a null response to exit the command without taking any action. See also: "Xref Command -- Create and Manage External References" in chapter 9 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \ATTDEF,Rotation angle \DTEXT,Rotation angle \INSERT,Rotation angle \MINSERT,Rotation angle \SNAP,Rotation angle \TEXT,Rotation angle \XREF,Rotation angle Enter a number for the rotation angle or pick a point. Enter RETURN to accept the default rotation angle. \INSERT,Block name (or ?) \MINSERT,Block name (or ?) \XREF,Block name (or ?) Enter the name of a Block or a drawing file. Normally, the Block is inserted as a single entity. However, if you precede the Block name with a "*", its individual components are inserted. In this case, only one scale factor will be requested later. If the named Block is not defined in the current drawing, but another drawing exists with that name, a Block Definition is first created from the other drawing. \INSERT,Insertion point \MINSERT,Insertion point \XREF,Insertion point Pick a point (or enter a coordinate) to position the Block. If you know the scale or rotation, you can enter one of the following options at this prompt to "preset" the scale or rotation for the drag image. Scale - Presets (uniform) scale factor XScale - Presets X scale factor YScale - Presets Y scale factor ZScale - Presets Z scale factor Rotate - Presets rotation amount If you've specified one of these options, the corresponding prompt that normally follows entry of the insertion point will be skipped. (Variations of these options, with a leading "p", can be used to affect only the drag image, issuing the scale and rotation prompts as usual after the insertion point has been established.) \INSERT,X scale factor <1> / Corner / XYZ \MINSERT,X scale factor <1> / Corner / XYZ \XREF,X scale factor <1> / Corner / XYZ Enter a number for the X scaling factor or hit RETURN to accept the default scaling factor of 1. Alternatively, a point can be picked and the distance between this point and the insertion point will be used as the scaling factor. Entering "c" at this prompt allows you to define the X and Y scales at the same time, using the insertion point and another point as the corners of a box. The X and Y dimensions of the box become the X and Y scale factors. Enter "xyz" to let AutoCAD know that you wish to specify all three scale factors. \INSERT, Y scale factor (default=X) \MINSERT, Y scale factor (default=X) \XREF, Y scale factor (default=X) Enter a number to define the Y scaling factor or hit RETURN to accept a scaling factor equal to the X scaling factor. \INSERT, Z scale factor (default=X) \MINSERT, Z scale factor (default=X) \XREF, Z scale factor (default=X) Enter a number to define the Z scaling factor or hit RETURN to accept a scaling factor equal to the X scaling factor. \ZOOM The ZOOM command magnifies the drawing on the display screen (to see more detail) or shrinks it (to view more of the drawing with less detail). ZOOM number - Magnification relative to ZOOM All display (ZOOM All = ZOOM 1). Higher numbers (like 2.5) magnify, lower numbers (like 0.5) shrink. ZOOM numberX - Magnification relative to current display (1X). ZOOM All - Places entire drawing (all visible layers) on display at once. ZOOM Center - Specifies center point and new display height. ZOOM Dynamic - Permits you to pan a box representing the viewing screen around the entire generated portion of the drawing and enlarge or shrink it in a dynamic, graphic manner. ZOOM Extents - Displays current drawing content as large as possible. ZOOM Left - Specifies lower-left corner and new display height. ZOOM Previous - Restores previous view. ZOOM Window - Designates rectangular area to be drawn as large as possible. ZOOM Vmax - Zooms out as far as possible in the 32K space without forcing an "f" REGEN. See also: "Zoom Command" in chapter 6 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \3DFACE The 3DFACE command is similar to the SOLID command, but it accepts Z coordinates for the corner points and can generate a section of a plane or a nonplanar figure. Format: 3DFACE First point: (3D point) Second point: (3D point) Third point: (3D point) Fourth point: (3D point, or RETURN for triangular section) Third point: (3D point, or RETURN to end 3D face) To draw a face with four points, enter the points in a clockwise or counterclockwise fashion to avoid a "bowtie" figure. Note that this is different from the order expected by the SOLID command. To make an edge of the 3D Face invisible, enter "i" preceding the first point of that edge. The "Invisible" specification must precede any object snap modes, XYZ filters, or coordinate input for that edge. 3D Faces are not solid-filled. The HIDE command considers them to be opaque if they are planar. If nonplanar, HIDE draws a "wireframe" representation. See also: "3Dface Command" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \3DMESH The 3DMESH command allows you to define a three-dimensional polygon mesh by specifying its size (in terms of M and N) and the location of each vertex in the mesh. Vertices can be specified as 2D or 3D points. The total number of vertices to be specified will equal N times N. Format: 3DMESH Mesh M size: (Enter a value) Mesh N size: (Enter a value) Vertex (m,n): (Select a point) Vertices can be located at any distance relative to one another. After all vertices have been specified, AutoCAD draws the mesh. Polygon meshes created by the 3DMESH command are always open in both the M and N directions. You can close the mesh in either or both directions by editing it with the PEDIT command. See also: "3Dmesh Command -- Topologically Rectangular Polygon Meshes" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \3DPOLY The 3DPOLY command creates a general, three dimensional Polyline. A 3D Polyline consists entirely of straight-line segments connecting the vertices of the Polyline. You can supply 3D (x,y,z) coordinates for any or all of these vertex locations. Arc segments, width, taper, and other attributes of 2D Polylines are not supported. Format: 3DPOLY First point: (Select a point) Close/Undo/<Endpoint of line>: Close - Closes the polyline back to the first point Undo - Deletes the last segment entered Endpoint of line - Specifies a point Pressing RETURN or the space bar ends the 3D Polyline at the last endpoint. If you wish to edit the 3D Polyline, use the PEDIT command. See also: "3Dpoly Command -- #D Polylines" in chapter 4 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \*,Select objects: Select one or more objects for the current command: (point) = One object Multiple = Multiple objects selected by pointing Last = Last object Previous = All objects in the Previous selection-set Window = Objects within Window Crossing = Objects within or Crossing window BOX = Automatic Crossing (to the left) or Window (to the right) AUto = Automatic BOX (if pick in empty area) or single object pick SIngle = One selection (any type) Add = Add mode: adds following objects to selection-set Remove = Remove mode: removes following objects from selection-set Undo = Undoes/removes last When you are satisfied with the selection-set as it stands, enter RETURN (except for Single mode, which does not require an extra RETURN). See also: chapter 2 of the AutoCAD Reference Manual. \SOLAMEVER SOLAMever (or AMever) This variable displays the version and release number of the AutoCAD AME software. This is a read-only variable, you cannot change its value. Entering the SOLAMEVAR command returns a value like: SOLAMEVER = AME version 1.00 (read only) \SOLAREA The SOLAREA command calculates and displays the surface area of solid objects. Select objects: Pick the solid objects whose surface areas you want to calculate. The value displayed is the sum of the surface areas of the selected objects. This example shows the results of such a calculation: Surface area of solids is 56.71 sq cm The area is calculated by meshing the surfaces of the solids and then adding the area of the faces of the mesh. Because the solid is being represented as a mesh, the surface area is only an approximation, especially in the case of curved surfaces. Increasing the wire density of the solid improves the accuracy of this approximation. You can do this by using the SOLVAR command to set the SOLWDENS variable. The calculated area is displayed in the units set by the SOLAREAU variable. \SOLAREAU SOLAReau (or AReau) This variable sets the unit of measure for area calculations. Area units <current unit>: Enter a unit of area. You can find the available units of area in the acad.unt file. For more information, see the SOLAREA command. \SOLAXCOL SOLAXcol (or AXcol) This variable sets the color of the coordinate system icon used in SOLMOVE and SOLCHP commands. Solid axis color (1 to 8) <current color>: Enter an integer from 1 through 8. \SOLBOX The SOLBOX command creates a three-dimensional box. You create a box by locating its diagonally opposite corners or by locating the opposite corners of its base rectangle and then assigning a height to it. You can also create the base rectangle by defining its length and width separately. The base of the box is always defined parallel to the current construction plane (the XY plane of the current UCS). Corner of box: Locate a corner for the origin (starting point) of the box. If your viewing plane is parallel to the current construction plane, a rectangle rubber bands from this point to help you visualize the size of the base rectangle. Cube/Length/<Other corner>: \ Cube Option The Cube option creates a box with sides of equal length. You create it just like a box, except that you need to define only one length. Length: You define the length by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. \ Length Option The Length option lets you create a box by defining its length, width, and height. The length corresponds to the X axis, the width to the Y axis, and height to the Z axis of the current UCS. Length: Width: Height: You define the length, width, and height by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. \ <Other corner> Option The <Other corner> option lets you create a box by either locating its diagonally opposite corners or the opposite corners of its base rectangle and then its height. After locating a point for the opposite corner, you are prompted to enter the box's height. If the <Other corner> point has the same Z value in the current UCS as the first corner point, you see this prompt: Height: Otherwise, you see this prompt: Height <height>: In either case, you define the height by entering a nonzero value or locating two points. In the later example, you can accept the default height by pressing RETURN. \SOLCONE The SOLCONE command creates a three-dimensional cone. You must define the size of the cone's circular or elliptical base as well as the height of the cone. Elliptical/<Center point>: \ Elliptical Option This option is only available in the optional Advanced Modeling Extension software. Selecting this option indicates that the base of the cone is an ellipse. The prompts are the same as those for creating an ellipse in AutoCAD. <Axis endpoint 1>/Center: \ <Axis endpoint 1> You automatically select this option by locating a point. With this option you can create the elliptical base of the cone by locating points to define the diameter of one axis and the radius of the other. Axis endpoint 2: Other axis distance: Define the radius of the other axis by entering a positive nonzero value or locating a point. Height of cone: Define the height of the cone by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. Negative heights are allowed. \ Center Selecting this option lets you define the elliptical base of the cone by locating its center point followed by the radius of each axis. Center of ellipse: Axis endpoint: Other axis distance: Define the radius of the other axis by entering a positive nonzero value or by locating a point. Height of cone: Define the height of the cone by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. \ <Center point> Option You select this option by locating a point for the center of the base of the cone. Selecting this option means the base of the cone is to be a circle. Diameter/<Radius>: Diameter You create the circular base of the cone by defining its diameter. Diameter: Define the diameter of the base circle by entering a positive nonzero value or by locating a point. Height of cone: Define the height of the cone by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. \ <Radius> You select this option by locating a point or by entering a positive nonzero value for the circle's radius. After you define the base, enter the height. Height of cone: Define the height of the cone by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. \SOLCHAM The SOLCHAM command creates a solid primitive called a chamfer and automatically unions or subtracts it from the selected solid. SOLCHAM lets you bevel the concave and convex edges of an existing solid. The SOLCHAM command requires that you first select a base surface, then the edges, and then enter the dimensions of the chamfer. Select base surface: Picking an edge on the solid object highlights one of the two surfaces sharing that edge and displays this prompt: <OK>/Next: If this is the surface you want, press RETURN to accept it. If this is not the surface you want, enter "next" to highlight the adjoining surface and then press RETURN. Select edges to be chamfered (Press ENTER when done): Pick the edges of the highlighted surface you want to chamfer. After you have selected the edges you want, press RETURN. If you select an edge that is not adjacent to the highlighted surface it will not be chamfered. \ Enter distance along first surface <size>: Define the distance of the chamfer on the base surface by entering a positive nonzero value or by locating two points. The distance is measured perpendicular from the edge of the surface to the point where the chamfer intersects the surface. Enter distance along second surface <size>: Define the size of the chamfer along the second surface by entering a positive nonzero value or by locating two points. \SOLCHP The SOLCHP command lets you view and change a solid primitive, even if it is part of a composite solid. You can make changes in a solid primitive's physical dimensions and color. You can also replace and delete solid primitives with this command. You are first prompted to select a solid object. Select solid: If the selected object is a composite solid (not a solid primitive), you are prompted: Select primitive: Pick the primitive you want to change. It must be part of the solid you selected previously. Color/Delete/Evaluate/Instance/Move/Next/Pick/Replace/Size/eXit <N>: Enter the option indicating the change to make to the primitive. \ Color Option This option changes the color assigned to the primitive. New color <current color number>: Enter a number from 1 through 255 to indicate the new color of the primitive. You can use the standard seven color names in place of the numbers 1 through 7. \ Delete Option The Delete option erases the primitive. If it is a stand-alone primitive, the command deletes it in its entirety. If the solid primitive is part of a composite solid, the command deletes it from the CSG tree of the solid and issues the prompt: Retain detached primitive? <N>: Answering "yes" creates a stand-alone (top-level) primitive of the deleted item. Evaluate Option The Evaluate option forces a reevaluation of the solid's CSG tree. This is useful when you have made many changes that affect the structure of a composite solid. Instance Option This option creates a copy of the primitive as a separate solid object. The copy might not be readily evident, because it appears at the same location in the drawing as the original primitive. This option is most useful when used in conjunction with the Replace option. \ Move Option This option lets you move the primitive by locating two points to define a displacement. Base point of displacement: Locate the first point of displacement. Second point of displacement: Locate the second point of displacement. The distance between the first point and the second point is calculated with respect to the current UCS. Next Option The Next option selects another primitive in a composite solid. \ Pick Option This option lets you graphically pick another primitive to change. Select primitive: Pick the primitive you want to change. It must be part of the solid you originally selected. \ Replace Option This option replaces the selected primitive with another solid. Select solid to replace primitive ... Pick the solid object that you want to replace the currently selected primitive. Only top-level solids (composite solids or primitives) can be used as the replacement. If you want to replace the primitive with a member of the selected solid or a member of a different composite solid, you must first use the Instance option on that member. If the original primitive is part of a composite solid, it is replaced in the CSG tree by the selected solid and issues this prompt: Retain detached primitive? <N>: Answering "yes" creates a stand-alone (top-level) primitive of the replaced item. The physical location of the replacement solid is not altered during the replacement (i.e.: it does not move it to the location of the primitive being replaced); the replacement is made only in the structure of the CSG tree of the composite solid. \ Size Option This option lets you change the physical dimensions of the selected primitive. The current dimensional values are displayed and you are prompted to enter a new value for each dimension. The prompts for changing the dimensions of each of the primitives types are as follows: Box or Wedge Specify x <current>: Specify y <current>: Specify z <current>: \ Cone or Cylinder Specify x radius <current>: Specify y radius <current>: Specify height <current>: Changing the X radius of a cylindrical cone or cylinder automatically changes the Y radius to the same value. This does not apply to elliptical cones or cylinders. You can change a cylindrical cone or cylinder into an elliptical one (or vice versa) by entering both the X and Y radius values. Sphere Specify radius <current>: Torus Specify major <current>: Specify minor <current>: \ Extrusion Change shape? <N>: If you answer "no" to this prompt, you see the following prompts which let you change the height of the extrusion, or the taper angle, or both. Specify height of extrusion <current>: Specify taper angle of extrusion <current>: Answering "yes" to the Change Shape? prompt displays the following message. A 2D Pline will be displayed upon exiting from SOLCHP. Height of extrusion = current value Taper angle of extrusion = current value To change the shape of the extrusion, exit the SOLCHP command. A Polyline is displayed that is the 2D profile of the extrusion. You can use AutoCAD commands, like PEDIT, to modify the Polyline. Then use the SOLEXT command to extrude the Polyline. Finally, use the Replace option of the SOLCHP command to exchange the original extrusion for the new one. \ Revolution <Angle>/AXis/Shape: Entering the default option of Angle displays the following prompt which lets you change the included angle of the revolution. Specify angle <current>: Specify taper angle of extrusion <current>: Entering the Axis or Shape options displays the following message. A 2d Pline and axis will be displayed upon exiting from SOLCHP. Angle of revolution = current value To change the axis of revolution, exit the SOLCHP command. A Polyline is displayed that is the 2D profile of the extrusion and a line is displayed for the axis or revolution. You can use AutoCAD commands, like PEDIT, to modify the Polyline and line. Then use the SOLREV command to revolve the Polyline about the axis. Finally, use the Replace option of the SOLCHP command to exchange the original revolution for the new one. \ <eXit> Option This option terminates the command. The entire CSG tree is reevaluated to determine the effects on the solid of the changes to the primitive. \SOLCYL The SOLCYL command lets you create a solid column the size and height you want. This is similar to an extruded circle or ellipse (without a taper). You must define the size of the cylinder's circular or elliptical base as well as the height of the cylinder. Elliptical/<Center point>: \ Elliptical Option This option is only available in the optional Advanced Modeling Extension software. Selecting this option indicates that the base of the cylinder is to be an ellipse. The prompts are the same as those for creating an ellipse in AutoCAD. <Axis endpoint 1>/Center: \ <Axis endpoint 1> You automatically select this option by locating a point. With this option you can create the elliptical base of the cylinder by locating points to define the diameter of one axis and the radius of the other. Axis endpoint 2: Other axis distance: Define the radius of the other axis by entering a positive nonzero value or by locating a point. Height of cylinder: Define the height of the cylinder by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. Negative heights are allowed. \ Center Selecting this option lets you define the elliptical base of the cylinder by locating its center point followed by the radius of each axis. Center of ellipse: Axis endpoint: Other axis distance: Define the radius of the other axis by entering a positive nonzero value or by locating a point. Height of cylinder: Define the height of the cylinder by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. \ <Center point> Option You select this option by locating a point for the center of the base of the cylinder. Selecting this option means the base of the cylinder is to be a circle. Diameter/<Radius>: Diameter You create the circular base of the cylinder by defining its diameter. Diameter: Define the diameter of the base circle by entering a positive nonzero value or by locating a point. Height of cylinder: Define the height of the cylinder by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. \ <Radius> You select this option by locating a point or by entering a positive nonzero value for the circle's radius. After you define the base, enter the height. Height of cylinder: Define the height of the cylinder by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. \SOLDECOMP SOLDecomp (or Decomp) This variable sets the mass properties decomposition direction. Mass properties decomposition axis (X, Y, or Z) <X>: Enter X, Y, or Z for the axis you want. For more information, see the SOLMASSP command. \SOLDELENT SOLDELent (or DELent) This variable governs whether a 2D entity that has been extruded, revolved, or solidified is automatically deleted. Delete the entity (1 - never, 2 - ask, 3 - always) <3>: Enter "1", "2", or "3". Enter "1" if you don't want to delete the entity and don't want to be asked about deletion. Enter "2" to be asked about deletion; the default answer to this question is no. Enter "3" to delete the entity with no question asked. For more information, see the SOLEXT, SOLREV, or SOLIDIFY commands. \SOLDISPLAY SOLDIsplay (or DIsplay) This variable determines whether the default display of solids is a wireframe or mesh representation. Mesh/<Wire>: Enter "mesh" to display the solids as a mesh or "wire" to display them as a wireframe. For more information, see the SOLWIRE or SOLMESH commands. \SOLEXT The SOLEXT command lets you create unique solid primitives by extruding existing Polylines and circles. If you are using the optional Advanced Modeling Extension software, you can taper the sides of the extrusion. You can extrude only Polyline, Polygon, Circle, Ellipse, and 3D Poly entities. If the selected polyline has width, the command ignores the width and makes the extrusion from the center of the Polyline path. A two-dimensional Polyline (Polyline or Polygon) is extruded perpendicular to its 2D plane. A three-dimensional Polyline (3D Poly) is extruded perpendicular to the XY plane of the Polyline's ECS starting at the absolute zero Z axis coordinate (in other words, Z axis coordinates are ignored). The Polyline must contain at least two line segments (three vertices). If the selected Polyline is not closed, the command creates the extruded solid as if the Polyline were closed by a line. Polylines with crossing or intersecting segments cannot be extruded. \ You are first prompted to select the objects to be extruded. Select polyline & circles to be extruded: Pick the objects that you want to extrude. Multiple objects can be extruded in a single use of the command. If objects are included in the selection set that cannot be extruded, they are ignored. Height of extrusion: Define the height of the extrusion by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. Extrusion taper angle from Z <0>: Enter the number of degrees you want the sides tapered. The taper value must be zero or greater, but less than 90 degrees. You can only taper in from the base Polyline, not out. In other words, the extruded end cannot be larger than the original path Polyline. The default angle, zero, will extrude the Polyline perpendicular to the path Polyline. \ The SOLDELENT variable controls whether the selected objects are deleted or retained in your drawing after they are extruded. You can set this variable so that the objects are always retained, automatically deleted, or so that you are asked which. The startup setting is to delete the objects. See the SOLVAR command for more information. Important: Tapered extrusions are available only with the optional Advanced Modeling Extension software. Extrusions created or loaded into AMElite are limited to an extrusion angle of zero. \SOLFEAT The SOLFEAT command lets you copy an edge or face of a solid object. You can use this command to help create 2D drawings from 3D solid models. The SOLFEAT command creates a new entity in your AutoCAD drawing from the face or edge of a selected solid. The new entity is an anonymous block that the command inserts at the same location in your drawing as the face or edge it was created from. The block can contain lines, arcs, polylines, and circles. Edge/<Face>: \ Edge Option This option creates a block by copying the geometry of an edge of a solid object. Select an edge ... Select the edge of an existing solid in your drawing. You can select only one edge at a time. \ <Face> Option This option creates a block by copying the geometry of a face of a solid object. You can select this option by pressing RETURN or entering the word face. You cannot automatically select this option by picking an object. Select a face ... Select the face of a solid object. If you pick an object on an edge bounding two faces, you see the prompt: <OK>/Next: When you pick a face by one of its visible edges, you sometimes need to clarify which of the two faces sharing an edge is to be used. If the face you want is highlighted, press RETURN to accept it; otherwise, enter next and then RETURN. \ Note: The new entity is positioned directly on top of the selected face or edge and remains highlighted while in the SOLFEAT command. After exiting SOLFEAT, it is easiest to select the new entity using the Last option available in most AutoCAD commands. \SOLFILL The SOLFILL command creates a solid primitive called a fillet and automatically unions or subtracts it from the selected solid. SOLFILL lets you round the concave and convex edges of an existing solid. The fillet primitive that this command creates is automatically added to or subtracted from the selected existing solid by the SOLUNION or SOLSUB Boolean operations. The SOLFILL command lets you select multiple edges across several solid objects. Then you define the size of the fillet by entering its diameter or radius. Entering the command produces this prompt: Select edges to be filleted (Press ENTER when done): Pick the edges of the highlighted surface you want to fillet. After you have selected the edges you want, press RETURN. Diameter/<Radius> of fillet <size>: \ Diameter Option This option defines the diameter of the fillet by entering a positive nonzero value or by locating two points. <Radius> Option You automatically select this option by entering a positive nonzero value or by locating two points to define the radius of the fillet. You can use the default value shown by pressing RETURN. \SOLHANGLE SOLHAngle (or HAngle) This variable sets the angle of the hatch pattern used to crosshatch sections created with the SOLSECT command. The angle is relative to the current UCS. The value of this variable has the same effect as the Scale option of the AutoCAD HATCH command. Hatch angle <0.000000>: Enter a valid hatch angle. See the AutoCAD Reference Manual for information on the HATCH command. \SOLHPAT SOLHpat (or Hpat) This variable defines the hatch pattern used to crosshatch sections created with the SOLSECT command. Hatch pattern <NONE>: Enter a valid AutoCAD hatch pattern name. See the AutoCAD Reference Manual for information on the HATCH command. \SOLHSIZE SOLHSize (or HSize) This variable sets the scale of the hatch pattern used to crosshatch sections created with the SOLSECT command. The value of this variable has the same effect as the Scale option of the AutoCAD HATCH command. Hatch size <1.000000>: Enter a valid hatch scale. See the AutoCAD Reference Manual for information on the HATCH command. \SOLIDIFY The SOLIDIFY command converts certain AutoCAD objects into solid objects by extruding them to the value of their thickness. You can solidify only Polyline, Polygon, Circle, Ellipse, Trace, Donut, and Solid entities with a nonzero thickness. You cannot solidify Lines, 3D Lines, 3D Faces, or 3D Polys. A negative thickness value creates a solid in the negative extrusion direction. If the selected Polyline also has width, the command ignores the width and makes the extrusion from the center of the Polyline path. The Polyline must contain at least two line segments (three vertices). If the selected Polyline is not closed, the command creates the extruded solid as if the Polyline were closed by a line. Polylines with crossing or intersecting segments cannot be extruded. Select objects: Pick the objects you want to solidify. After you select the objects you want, the evaluation process begins. \ The SOLDELENT variable controls whether the selected objects are deleted or retained in your drawing after they are solidified. You can set this variable so that the objects are always retained, automatically deleted, or so that you are asked which. The startup setting is to delete the objects. See the SOLVAR command for more information. By setting the SOLSOLIDIFY variable, you can have solid commands automatically solidify two-dimensional objects when they are encountered. See the SOLVAR command for more information. \SOLIN The SOLIN command imports external assembly files into your current drawing. You create an assembly file with the SOLOUT command that contains the solid objects of the drawing it was created from. Assembly files can also be used from the AutoSolid program (version 3.1). File name <name>: Enter the name of the assembly file you want to import. The command places the imported solids in your drawing relative to the drawing origin. Important: The main purpose of the SOLIN and SOLOUT commands is to provide compatibility with the AutoSolid program (the predecessor to AutoCAD AME). We recommend that you use the AutoCAD BLOCK and INSERT commands to store and retrieve common symbols. Use the AutoCAD SAVE and END commands to save drawings containing solid models. \ Warning: The SOLOUT command creates an assembly file whose format is compatible with AutoSolid (version 3.1); it does not support all of the solid-modeling features of AutoCAD AME. Tapered extrusions, elliptical cones and cylinders, and some types of fillets and chamfers are not supported in this file format. \SOLINT This Boolean operation creates a new composite solid comprised of the common volume of two or more existing solid objects. Select objects: Pick the solid objects you want to intersect. A single new composite solid is created that is the intersection of the selected objects. Null solid (i.e. a solid with no volume ) gets created when the intersection of selected solids have no common volume. A message is displayed in case of null solid creation. \SOLLENGTH SOLLength (or Length) This variable sets the unit of measure for the length of solid objects. Length units <current unit>: Enter a unit of length. You can find the available units of length in the acad.unt file. Change area and volume units also <N> ? Answer "yes" if you want the SOLAREAU and SOLVOLUME variables set to the same units. For more information, see the SOLLIST or SOLMASSP commands. \SOLLIST The SOLLIST command displays the definition information of a solid object, its CSG tree, or a selected edge or surface. Edge/Face/Tree/<Solid>: Enter the option that displays the information you want. Note: The SOLPAGELEN variable controls the number of lines displayed on a page before a pause occurs in the scrolling. The AMElite software does not let you list the edge or face of a solid. \ Edge Option This option displays information about the edge of a solid object. Select an edge: Pick the edge of a solid object. Be sure to pick the proper member of the solid model to get the results you want. This is the information displayed for each edge type: Edge type Information displayed Linear (straight) Endpoint coordinates and length Circular Center point, radius, and length Elliptical Center point, major axis, minor axis, and length Parabolic Length Other Length \ Face Option This option displays information about the face of a solid object. Select a face: Select the face of a solid object by selecting one of its visible edges. Except for the tessellation lines of toroidal, spherical, and conical surfaces, edges are always shared by two faces. Selecting such an edge displays this prompt: <OK>/Next: You need to clarify which of two faces sharing the edge is to be used. If the face you want is highlighted, press RETURN to accept it; otherwise, enter "next" and then RETURN. \ This is the information displayed for each edge type: Surface type Information displayed Planar Direction of outward normal vector Cylindrical Radius and axis direction Cylindrical (elliptical) Major and minor radius, and axis direction Conical Radius/height ratio and axis direction Conical (elliptical) Major and minor radius/height ratio, and axis direction Spherical Center point and radius of sphere Toroidal Center point and radius of torus and tube \ Tree Option This option displays the definition of a solid model's CSG tree. Select objects: Pick the solid objects whose CSG tree information you want to display. \ Example of a single composite solid of a cone subtracted from a box. See the printout explanation provided with the Solid option. Solid type = SUBTRACTION Handle = 2CB Component handles: 287 and 2A3 Area not computed Material = MILD_STEEL Representation = WIREFRAME Shade type = CSG .... Solid type = BOX (3.000000, 4.000000, 2.000000) Handle = 287 .... Area not computed Material = MILD_STEEL .... Representation = WIREFRAME Shade type = CSG .... Node level = 1 .... Solid type = CONE (0.500000, 0.500000, 4.000000) Handle = 2A3 .... Area not computed Material = MILD_STEEL .... Representation = WIREFRAME Shade type = CSG .... Node level = 1 \ <Solid> Option This option displays information about only the top level of an object's CSG tree. Select solid: Pick the solid objects you want to know about. You can select multiple objects in a single use of the command. The information for each solid is printed out in the order you pick the objects. Only information for the top level of each object's CSG tree is displayed. \ This example shows the printout of a single composite solid that is the subtraction of a cylinder from a box (the same object as in the previous example). Solid type = SUBTRACTION Handle = 2CB Component handles: 287 and 2A3 Area not computed Material = MILD_STEEL Representation = WIREFRAME Shade type = CSG Rigid motion: +1.000000 +0.000000 +0.000000 +0.000000 +0.000000 +1.000000 +0.000000 +0.000000 +0.000000 +0.000000 +1.000000 +0.000000 +0.000000 +0.000000 +0.000000 +1.000000 Line one shows the solid type. A solid type SUBTRACTION means that the SOLSUB command created the highest level of this model's CSG tree. The handle of the composite solid is also displayed on this line. The component handles keep track of the objects on which a Boolean operation was performed to create the composite solid. \ The area is remembered with the solid as a side effect of the SOLMESH and SOLAREA commands; matl shows the material assignment of the solid. The representation indicates the type of wireframe mesh in which the solid is currently displayed. The value is either PMESH for SOLMESH or WIREFRAME for SOLWIRE. The shade type is the type of shading to be performed. The value can be UNIFORM or CSG. Lastly, the rigid motion values are displayed. Rigid motion keeps track of the translation, rotation, and scaling that has been applied to the object. The first three numbers of column one define the X axis direction for rotation. The second and third columns define the Y and Z axes similarly. The first three numbers of the fourth column are the X, Y, and Z components of the transformation vector. The last number in column four is the scale factor. The last number of columns 1, 2, and 3 are unused. \SOLMASS SOLMASs (or MASs) This variable sets the unit of measure for the mass of the solid object. Mass units <current unit>: Enter a unit of mass. You can find the available units of mass in the acad.unt file. For more information, see the SOLMASSP command. \SOLMASSP The SOLMASSP command calculates and displays the mass properties of a set of selected solids. The mass properties include the mass, center of gravity, extents of the enclosing box, moments of inertia, radii of gyration, principal moments, and corresponding principal directions. Calculations are based on the current UCS. Error estimates are shown enclosed in parentheses. The centroid of the solid is displayed on your drawing as a point entity on the current layer. You can make this point more visible by changing the PDMODE and PDSIZE variable. The SOLSUBDIV and SOLDECOMP variables affect the accuracy of mass property calculations. Select objects: Select the objects whose mass properties you want to display. A prompt at the end of the printout asks if you want to write the mass properties to a text file. Answering "yes" displays this prompt: \ File name <current drawing name>: Enter the name of the file. Choosing the default value saves the information in a file with the same name as your AutoCAD drawing (except that the text file has the extension .mpr). \SOLMAT The SOLMAT command sets the default material of a solid object and maintains a list of materials. The command can add new materials to the list and change the definition of existing materials. AutoCAD AME uses material definitions to calculate properties of a solid object that are affected by the object's material. Change/Edit/<eXit>/LIst/LOad/New/Remove/SAve/SEt/?: Enter one of the above options. \ Change Option This option lets you change the material assigned to a set of existing solid objects in your drawing. Select objects: Pick the solid objects whose material you want changed. The command can change several objects at once. New material <current material>/?: Enter the name of the new material you want assigned to the selected objects. For a list of the available materials, enter "?". The string <current material> contains the name of the default material. \ Edit Option This option lets you change the definition of a material. Only materials defined in the drawing can be edited. Material name: Enter the name of a material defined in your drawing. After you enter a valid material name, its definition appears in the AutoCAD Text Window. Material (name) 1. Density, kg/cu_m.................... #### 2. Young's Modulus, GN/sq_m............ ###.# 3. Poisson's ratio..................... .### 4. Yield strength, MN/sq_m............. ### 5. Ultimate strength, MN/sq_m.......... ### 6. Thermal conductivity................ ### 7. Linear expansion coeff., alpha/1e6.. ##.# 8. Specific heat, kJ/(kg deg_C)........ .### To edit any of the values, enter its number; To confirm and exit, enter 0. Item to change or 0 to enter: \ When you enter the number of the property you want to change, you see a prompt like this: 1. Density, kg/cu_m Enter the new value for the property. When you are satisfied with all the changes to the properties, enter the number zero (0) to permanently store them. Updating COPPER definition in drawing. Save the material to a file <N> ? The definition of the material in your drawing is updated and you are given an opportunity to save the definition to an external file. If the material is already defined in the external file, you are asked if you want to overwrite it. \ <eXit> Option This option quits the SOLMAT command. LIst Option of SOLMAT This option displays the definition of a material. Material to list <name>/?: Enter the name of the material whose properties you want to display. The name must be the name of a material that has been previously defined in your drawing or the acad.mat file. If the material name is not found in your drawing or the acad.mat file, you are prompted to enter the name of the external file in which the material can be found. You can also enter "?" to see a list of available materials. The string <name> contains the name of the current default material. The default makes no change to the material. After you enter a valid material name, its definition appears in the AutoCAD text window. \ Material: (name) Density: #### kg/cu_m Young's Modulus: ###.# GN/sq_m Poisson's ratio: .### Yield strength: ### MN/sq_m Ultimate strength: ### MN/sq_m Thermal conductivity: ### Linear expansion coefficient: ##.# alpha/1e6 Specific heat: ### kJ/(kg deg_C) \ LOad Option This option loads a material definition into your drawing from an external file. Material name: Enter the name of the material you want to load. If the material cannot be found in the acad.mat file, you will be prompted: Load material from file <acad>: Enter the name of the external file that contains the material definition you want to load. \ New Option of SOLMAT This option defines a new material. Material name: Enter the name of the new material. If the material name you enter already exists, you see this prompt: That material is already defined. If you want to modify its definition, use SOLMAT Change. Otherwise the following prompt appears: Material Description: You can enter an optional material description to help you remember why this material was created, what it is used for, or anything else. \ After you enter the material description the following lines appear one at a time prompting you to enter a value for each. 1. Density, kg/cu_m.................... 2. Young's Modulus, GN/sq_m............ 3. Poisson's ratio..................... 4. Yield strength, MN/sq_m............. 5. Ultimate strength, MN/sq_m.......... 6. Thermal conductivity................ 7. Linear expansion coeff., alpha/1e6.. 8. Specific heat, kJ/(kg deg_C)........ To change any of the values, enter its number; to update the changed material, enter 0. Item to change or 0 to enter: Once you have entered the initial values, the command proceeds like the Edit option described earlier. \ Remove Option Deletes a material definition from your drawing. Material to remove <MILD_STEEL>/?: Enter the name of the material definition you want to delete or enter "?" to see a list of current material definitions. \ Save Option Saves a material definition into an external file from your drawing. Material to save <MILD_STEEL>/?: Enter the name of the material definition you want to save or enter "?" to see a list of current material definitions. File name <acad>: Enter the name of the file you want the material definition saved in. If the material is already defined in the external file, you are asked if you want to overwrite it. \ Set Option This option sets the material assigned to new solid objects created in your drawing. New default material <name>/?: Enter the name of the new default material. The name must be the name of a previously defined material. You can also enter "?" to see a list of the available materials. The string <name> will contain the name of the current default material. The default is to make no change to the material. \ ? Option This option displays a list of the materials currently defined in your drawing and an external file. List materials from file <acad>: Enter the name of the external file you want to list. Here is a sample listing: Defined in drawing: GLASS MILD_STEEL Defined in library: ALUMINUM BRASS COPPER GLASS LEAD MILD_STEEL \SOLMATCURR SOLMatcurr (or Matcurr) This variable displays the name of the default material. The default material is the material automatically assigned to newly created solid primitives. This is a read-only variable; its value cannot be changed with the SOLVAR command. Use the SOLMAT command's Set option to set the default material. To see the current default material, use the ? option of the SOLVAR command. Entering this option displays a message like this: Current material is MILD_STEEL (read only) Use the SOLMAT Set command to change SOLMATCURR. \SOLMESH The SOLMESH command displays a solid object as a Pface entity (a mesh). A mesh approximates the surface of solids by creating multi- edged faces. The SOLWDENS variable controls the mesh density. The SOLWIRE and SOLMESH commands are mutually exclusive. This means that a solid is represented either as a wireframe or a mesh, but never both at the same time. AutoCAD AME remembers the wireframe and mesh images of a solid as Block definitions. Even though both the wireframe and mesh Blocks can exist for a given solid, only one is displayed at a time. The SOLMESH command displays the mesh Block and hides the wireframe Block; the SOLWIRE command performs the opposite operation. Select objects: Pick the solid objects you want to mesh. \ Note: Solid objects must be in a mesh representation before you can perform hidden-line removal or shading using the AutoCAD HIDE and SHADE commands. Because a mesh converts curved surfaces into a series of straight edges, you can no longer use object snap. You must use the SOLWIRE command to return to a wireframe representation before performing arc and circle object snaps. \SOLMOVE The SOLMOVE command moves and rotates solid objects based on a motion description code. Select objects: Select the solid objects you want to move or rotate. After selecting the objects, an icon appears showing the coordinate system used for motion descriptions. For explanatory purposes, we will call this temporary coordinate system the Motion Coordinate System (MCS). The icon shows the orientation of the X axis of the MCS with a single-tipped arrow, the Y axis with a double-tipped arrow, and the Z axis with a triple-tipped arrow. The origin of the MCS is the point where these arrows converge. After creating a selection-set, you are prompted to enter the motion description. <Motion description>/?: Enter a motion description code or enter ? to display a list of the codes. The motion description is a code allowing you to rotate the selected objects, translate (move) them, or redefine the MCS. \ You can enter several motion description codes at a single prompt by separating them with commas. See the examples. These are the descriptions of the motion description codes: ae Moves the selected objects and the MCS so that the MCS aligns with the edge of a solid object. Select edge to define coordinate system ... Select the edge of a solid object. You are allowed to select the edge of one of the currently selected objects. When using this motion description, the MCS is linked to the selected objects so that when the objects are moved or rotated, the MCS is also moved or rotated. \ af Moves the selected objects and the MCS so that the MCS aligns with the face of a solid object. Select surface to define coordinate system ... Select the face of a solid object by selecting one of its visible edges. Except for the tessellation lines of toroidal, spherical, and conical surfaces, edges are always shared by two faces. Selecting such an edge displays this prompt: <OK>/Next: You need to clarify which of the two faces sharing the edge is to be used. If the face you want is highlighted, press RETURN to accept it; otherwise, enter next and then RETURN. When using this motion description, the MCS is linked to the selected objects so that when the objects are moved or rotated, the MCS is also moved or rotated. \ au Moves the selected objects and the MCS so that the MCS aligns with the UCS. aw Moves the selected objects and the MCS so that the MCS aligns with the WCS. rx(degrees) Rotates the selected objects a specified number of degrees about the X axis of the MCS. The MCS is not rotated. ry(degrees) Rotates the selected objects a specified number of degrees about the Y axis of the MCS. The MCS is not rotated. rz(degrees) Rotates the selected objects a specified number of degrees about the Z axis of the MCS. The MCS is not rotated. tx(distance) Translates (moves) the selected objects a specified distance along the X axis of the MCS. The MCS is not moved. \ ty(distance) Translates (moves) the selected objects a specified distance along the Y axis of the MCS. The MCS is not moved. tz(distance) Translates (moves) the selected objects a specified distance along the Z axis of the MCS. The MCS is not moved. e Orients the MCS so that it aligns with the edge of a solid object. The selected objects are not moved or rotated. Select edge to define coordinate system... Select the edge of a solid object. The edge can be on one of the selected objects. \ f Orients the MCS so that it aligns with the face of a solid object. The selected objects are not moved or rotated. Select surface to define coordinate system ... Selects the face of a solid object by selecting one of its visible edges. Except for the tessellation lines of toroidal, spherical, and conical surfaces, edges are always shared by two faces. Selecting such an edge displays this prompt: <OK>/Next: You need to clarify which of the two faces sharing the edge is to be used. If the face you want is highlighted, press RETURN to accept it; otherwise, enter next and then RETURN. \ u Orients the MCS so that it aligns with the UCS. The selected objects are not moved or rotated. w Orients the MCS so that it aligns with the WCS. The selected objects are not moved or rotated. o Returns the selected objects to their original location and orientation at the start of this use of the SOLMOVE command. Examples Motion Meaning description rx45 Rotates a positive 45? about the X axis of the MCS tz-4,rx30 Moves a negative 4 units along the Z axis and rotates 30 degrees about the X axis of the MCS Rz-3.5 Rotates a negative 3.5? about the Z axis of the MCS TY12.25 Moves 12.25 units along the positive Y axis of the MCS tZ-1 Moves 1 unit along the negative Z axis of the MCS \SOLOUT The SOLOUT command stores your drawing's solid objects in an external assembly file whose format is compatible with the AutoSolid program, Version 3.1. File name <name>: Enter the name of the file. The command stores assembly files on disk and gives them the extension .asm. Note: The main purpose of the SOLIN and SOLOUT commands is to provide compatibility with the AutoSolid program (the predecessor to AutoCAD AME). We recommend that you use the AutoCAD BLOCK and INSERT commands to store and retrieve common symbols. Use the AutoCAD SAVE and END commands to save drawings containing solid models. Warning: The SOLOUT command creates an assembly file whose format is compatible with AutoSolid (version 3.1); it does not support all of the solid-modeling features of AutoCAD AME. Tapered extrusions, elliptical cones and cylinders, and some types of fillets and chamfers are not supported in this file format. \SOLPAGELEN SOLPagelen (or Pagelen) This variable sets the page length for messages displayed by the SOLLIST, SOLMASSP, and SOLMAT commands. Length of Text Page (0 - Continuous Scroll) <25>: Enter the number of lines displayed on each page. The prompt "Hit <Enter> to continue" appears at the end of each page. A value of zero scrolls continuously (without paging). \SOLPROF The SOLPROF command creates a profile image of solid objects. A profile image displays only the edges and silhouettes of curved surfaces of the solid for the current view. You cannot run this command while in TILEMODE. To use this command you must first set TILEMODE to zero (off) and switch to model space by entering the MSPACE command. If your drawing does not yet contain Viewport entities, you will not be able to switch to model space before creating a Viewport entity using the MVIEW command. The command creates the profile image in two parts: the visible-profile lines and the hidden-profile lines. Generation of the hidden lines is optional. The command creates the two parts of the profile image as anonymous Blocks and inserts them at the location of the original solid. The new Blocks contain lines, arcs, Polylines, and circles. The visible- profile Block is drawn in the same linetype as the original solid and the hidden-profile Block in the linetype hidden (if available). The command places each Block on its own uniquely named layer. The following naming convention is used for these layers: \ (solid layer name)-PV-(viewport number) Visible profile lines (solid layer name)-PH-(viewport number) Hidden profile lines If the layers exist, the blocks are added to the information already on the layers. The SOLPROF command does not change the display of layers. If you want to view only the profile lines you have created you must use the LAYER command to turn off the layer containing the original solid. In the example earlier, that would be the layer named SOLIDS. Select objects: Pick the solid objects you want to profile. The command can profile several solid objects at once. Display hidden profile lines on separate layer? <N>: Enter "yes" or "no" to indicate whether you want to calculate the hidden-profile lines. The command creates the hidden profile layer regardless of whether you calculate the hidden lines. When more than one solid is selected the hidden-line removal is done one solid at a time. \SOLPURGE The SOLPURGE command lets you conserve memory and reduce your drawing size. By freeing memory and erasing entities associated with AME solids, the user can manage system resources. Memory/Bfile/Pmesh/<Erased>: Each of these options is described next. Memory Option of Solpurge This option releases memory within the AME application that is associated with AME solids. It does not affect entities (solid or otherwise) in your Auto- CAD drawing. Solid entities remain in your AutoCAD drawing as a record of how to rebuild a particular solid. If an entity representing a solid is selected to participate in an AME command after being removed from memory, the solid is reconstructed within the AME application's memory from the information stored within the AutoCAD enti- ties associated with the solid. AME solids only use memory when they are selected to participate in an AME command, not when a drawing containing solids is loaded. Solids will then remain in memory until one of the following operations occur: the main entity is erased (and the Solpurge Erased command is entered), the drawing is unloaded, AME is xunloaded, or this option is used. \ All/<Select>: This option releases all memory for all solids currently within AME. <Select> This is the default option; it lets you remove solids from AME memory on a selective basis. This option is useful when the user has finished working on a particular solid in a drawing and wishes to move to another solid in the same drawing. By releasing the memory associated with the first solid, system performance is improved for work on other solids. \ Bfile Option of Solpurge This option lets you purge Bfile entities from your drawing on a selective basis. The main purpose of this option is to reduce the size of your AutoCAD drawing. When these entities (and the Pmesh entities described next) are removed, a 50% reduction in drawing size can easily be realized (for a drawing containing only AME solids.) However, a time penalty will be imposed later if the erased entities are needed. It is not required that the solid be in AME memory to per- form these options, although it can be. The solid containing the bfile entity is not removed from memory when the bfile entity is removed from the drawing. Select objects: Select the solid objects whose Bfile entities you want deleted. The next time you select the solid to participate in an AME command, the Bfile will be reevaluated and new secondary bfile entities will be inserted into the drawing. This option has little effect on the main entity in the drawing or on the corresponding solid in AME memory (if it is there). The only effect is that the main entity's extended entity data is modified to break the link between the erased Bfile and the solid. \ Pmesh Option of Solpurge This option lets you purge Pmesh entities from your drawing on a selective basis. Other than the type of entities purged from your drawing, the descrip- tion provided for the Bfile option also applies here. If you select a solid that is currently in a mesh representation, it is returned to wire representation before removing the mesh. Select objects: Select the solid objects whose Pmesh entities you want deleted. \ <Erased> Option of Solpurge This option is useful for erasing secondary entities associated with an erased AME solid. When you erase an AME solid, only the main Block insertion entity is actually erased. The secondary entities used to store the solid's bfile, background rep- resentation, and component entities are not automatically erased from your AutoCAD drawing. Entering this option after erasing an AME solid finds these secondary entities and erases them. A garbage collection routine is also automatically executed to free memory associated with AME solids that have been erased in a previous AutoCAD edit session. This option can be time consuming, depending on the number of entities within the drawing. \SOLRENDER SOLRender (or Render) This variable determines the color of shading performed by the AutoCAD SHADE command, meshes displayed by the SOLMESH command, and wireframes displayed by the SOLWIRE command. CSG/<Uniform>: Enter "csg" or "uniform". CSG displays a composite solid in many colors based on the color assigned to each primitive that is a member of the solid. Uniform displays the solid in a single color, the color of the composite solid (the top level of the solid's CSG tree). \SOLREV The SOLREV command creates unique solid primitives by sweeping (revolving) a Polyline about an axis. You can revolve only Polyline, Polygon, Circle, Ellipse, and 3D Poly objects. If the selected Polyline has width, the command ignores the width and makes the revolution from the center of the Polyline path. The Polyline must contain at least two line segments (three vertices). If the selected Polyline is not closed, the command creates the extruded solid as if the Polyline were closed by a line. Polylines with crossing or intersecting segments cannot be extruded. Select path polyline or circle for revolution... Select objects: Pick the object that you want to revolve. The command can revolve only one object at a time. \ The SOLDELENT variable controls whether the selected objects are deleted or retained in your drawing after they are revolved. You can set this variable so that the objects are always retained, automatically deleted, or so that you are asked which. The startup setting is to delete the objects. See the SOLVAR command for more information. Axis of revolution - Entity/X/Y/<Start point of axis>: The axis of revolution can be defined one of several ways as the following options describe. \ Entity Option A prompt asks you to pick an existing line or single-segment Polyline to define the axis that the path Polyline will be revolved about. Entity to revolve about: The closest endpoint of this line becomes the origin of the axis that determines the positive direction of rotation based on the right-hand rule. Included angle <full circle>: Enter a positive value for the number of degrees you want to revolve the selected Polyline. \ X Option This option uses the positive X axis of the current UCS as the axis of revolution. Included angle <full circle>: Enter a positive value for the number of degrees you want to revolve the selected Polyline. \ Y Option This option uses the positive Y axis of the current UCS as the axis of revolution. Included angle <full circle>: Enter a positive value for the number of degrees you want to revolve the selected Polyline. \ <Start point of axis> Option You automatically select this option if you locate a point on your drawing. The start point, the origin of the axis, determines the positive direction of rotation based on the right-hand rule. End point of axis: Locate a point to define the endpoint of the axis of revolution. Included angle <full circle>: Enter a positive value for the number of degrees you want to revolve the selected Polyline. Important: A revolution cannot be performed if the path Polyline and the axis of revolution are crossing. However, they are allowed to touch. \SOLSECT The SOLSECT command lets you create a new entity that is the cross section of a solid object. You can use this command to help create 2D drawings from 3D solid models. The SOLSECT command calculates the cross section as the intersection of the construction plane (the XY plane of the current UCS) and the solid objects you select. Therefore to get the cross section you want, you must position the UCS before running this command. The new entity is an anonymous Block that the command inserts at the location of the cross section. The Block can contain lines, arcs, Polylines, and circles. If several solids are selected for sectioning, a separate Block is created for each solid. \ You can have the cross section automatically crosshatched by setting the SOLHPAT variable to a valid hatch pattern name. The SOLHANGLE and SOLHSIZE variables control the angle and size of the hatch pattern. If several solids are selected for sectioning, each resulting section is hatched separately. See the SOLVAR command for more information on these variables. Select objects: Select the solid objects whose cross section you want. The command creates a separate Block for each solid object you select. \SOLSERVMSG SOLSErvmsg (or SERVmsg) This variable sets the level of message reporting displayed on the command line. The messages display errors and the status of computations in progress in the Advanced Modeling Extension software. 0 = None, 1 = Errors only, 2 = Errors and start/end of computation messages, 3 = All Solid Server message display level (0 to 3) <3>: Enter a number from 0 through 3. Zero (0) means that no AME messages or errors are reported; 1, that only errors are reported; 2, that errors and the start and end of computation messages are reported; and 3, that all errors and messages are reported. \SOLSEP The SOLSEP command separates (takes apart) composite solids created by the Boolean operations SOLINT, SOLSUB, and SOLUNION. Each use of this command undoes (in reverse order) the Boolean commands that created a composite solid. In other words, it breaks down the CSG tree of a composite solid. In some cases the CSG tree is broken down more than one level. For example, a single SOLUNION operation on four solid objects creates a composite solid whose CSG tree contains two additional levels above that of the objects themselves. Separating this solid eliminates both of the additional levels of the CSG tree because a single use of the SOLUNION command created them. Objects made up of multiple Boolean operations require multiple uses of the SOLSEP command to break them down (there is no SOLSEP All command). Select objects: Pick the composite solids you want to separate. The command can separate several composite solids at once. \SOLSOLIDIFY SOLSOLidify (or SOlidify) This variable determines whether 2D objects encountered by solid-modeling commands should be converted into solid objects. Only specific 2D objects that have thickness can be solidified. See the SOLIDIFY command for more information. Solidify entity (1 - never, 2 - ask, 3 - always) <2>: Enter an integer from 1 through 3. Enter "1" if you don't want 2D objects solidified and don't want to be asked. Enter "2" to be asked about solidifying 2D objects; the default answer to this question is no. Enter "3" if you want objects to be solidified automatically (if possible) and don't want to be asked. \SOLSPHERE The SOLSPHERE command lets you create a three-dimensional body in which all surface points are equidistant from the center. You supply only one dimension, the radius or diameter, to define a sphere. The wireframe representation of the sphere is positioned so that its central axis is coincident with the Z axis of the current UCS. The SOLSPHERE prompts let you define a two-dimensional circle that is revolved 180 degrees about its diameter to form a sphere. Center point: Locate the center point of the sphere. Diameter/<Radius>: The Diameter and <Radius> options are described next. \ Diameter Option You create the sphere by defining its diameter. Diameter: Define the diameter of the sphere by entering a positive nonzero value or by locating a point. \ <Radius> Option You select this option by locating a point or by entering a positive nonzero value for the sphere's radius. \SOLSUB This Boolean operation creates a new composite solid by subtracting the volume of one set of solid objects from another set. Source objects ... Select objects: Select the source objects from which other solids will be subtracted. The selected objects are automatically unioned to prepare them for having other objects subtracted from them. Objects to subtract from them ... Select objects: Select the objects you want to subtract from the source set. The Boolean operation SOLUNION is performed on the selected objects and then the operation SOLSUB subtracts them from the source set. A single new composite solid is created as a result of the subtraction. If you accidentally include the source objects in the set of objects that are being subtracted from them, the source objects are ignored and the command proceeds normally. \SOLSUBDIV SOLSUbdiv (or SUbdiv) This variable sets the subdivision level for mass properties calculation. Mass properties subdivision level (1 to 8) <3>: Enter a number from 1 through 8. A higher number increases the accuracy of the calculation but also increases the computation time. For more information, see the SOLMASSP command. \SOLTORUS The SOLTORUS command lets you create a solid with a donut-like shape. You must enter two radius values to define a torus; one for the tube and one from the center of the torus to the center of the tube. The torus is created lying parallel to and bisected by the XY plane of the current UCS. Self-intersecting tori are allowed. A self-intersecting torus is one with no center hole, as a result of the radius of the tube being greater than the radius of the torus. A negative torus radius would create a football-shaped solid. Center of torus: Locate the center of the torus. Diameter/<Radius> of torus: The Diameter and <Radius> options are described next. \ Diameter Option This option creates the torus by defining its diameter. Diameter: Define the torus diameter by locating a point or by entering a value. You can enter a negative or positive value, but not zero. Diameter/<Radius> of tube: Diameter You create the tube of the torus by defining its diameter. Diameter: Locate a point or enter a positive nonzero value to define the diameter of the tube. <Radius> You automatically select this option by locating a point or by entering a positive nonzero value to define the tube's radius. \ <Radius> Option You automatically select this option by locating a point or by entering a value for the radius of the torus. The torus radius is the distance from the center of the torus to the center of the tube. You can enter a negative or positive value, but not zero. Diameter/<Radius> of tube: Diameter You create the tube of the torus by defining its diameter. Diameter: Locate a point or enter a positive nonzero value to define the diameter of the tube. <Radius> You automatically select this option by locating a point or by entering a positive nonzero value to define the tube's radius. \ Note: The torus radius can be a negative number as long as the tube radius is a positive number of greater magnitude (i.e., if the torus radius is -2.0, the tube radius must be greater than +2.0). This is to eliminate the possibility of creating a null solid (a solid object of no volume). \SOLUCS The SOLUCS command aligns the UCS with the face or edge of an existing solid object. Edge/<Face>: Edge Option This option aligns the UCS with the edge of a solid. Select an edge ... Selects the edge of an existing solid in your drawing. \ <Face> Option This option aligns the UCS to the face of a solid object. You select <Face> by pressing RETURN or entering any portion of the word face. You cannot select this option by picking an object. Select a face... Select the face of a solid object by selecting one of its visible edges. Except for the tessellation lines of toroidal, spherical, and conical surfaces, edges are always shared by two faces. Selecting such an edge displays this prompt: <OK>/Next: You need to clarify which of the two faces sharing the edge is to be used. If the face you want is highlighted, press RETURN to accept it; otherwise, enter next and then RETURN. \SOLUNION This Boolean operation joins two or more solid objects together to form a new composite solid. The resulting solid encloses the volume enclosed by each of the solids participating in the Boolean operation. It is possible to join solids that do not share any common volume. Select objects: Pick the solid objects you want joined together. The resulting composite solid is the composite of the selected objects. \SOLVAR The SOLVAR command lets you set variables that control the solid-modeling environment. These variables affect the operation of many solid-modeling commands. This command is similar to the AutoCAD SETVAR command. Variable name or ?: Enter the name of the solid variable whose value you want to change, or enter ? to see the list of variables. You can abbreviate variable names when entering them; the capitalized portion is the minimum that you must enter. You can also set variables by entering their name at the AutoCAD Command: prompt. ? Option This option displays a list of the solid variables like the example shown here. \SOLVOLUME SOLVolume (or Volume) This variable sets the unit of measure for volume calculations. Volume units <current unit>: Enter a unit of volume. You can find the available units of volume in the acad.unt file. For more information, see the SOLMASSP command. \SOLWDENS SOLWdens (or Wdens) This variable sets the density of wireframe and mesh representations for newly created solid objects. Wireframe mesh density (1 to 8) <4>: Enter an integer from 1 through 8. A higher value increases the accuracy of the mesh and the time to calculate it. \SOLWEDGE The SOLWEDGE command creates a wedge, which is like a box that has been cut in half diagonally along one face. The base of the wedge is always drawn parallel to the current UCS with the sloped face tapering along the X axis. You must supply the same dimensions as when defining a box. With the exception of the Cube option, the prompts are the same as those of the Solbox command. First corner: Locate the corner point of the wedge. If your viewing plane is parallel to the current UCS, a rectangle rubber bands (stretches and contracts) from this point to help you visualize the size of the wedge's base rectangle. Length/<Opposite corner>: \ Length Option The Length option creates a wedge by defining its length, width, and height. The length, width, and height are coincident with the X, Y, and Z axes of the current UCS, respectively. Length: Width: Height: You can define the length, width, or height by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. \ <Other corner> Option The <Other corner> option lets you create a wedge by either locating its diagonally opposite corners or the opposite corners of its base rectangle and then its height. After locating a point for the opposite corner, you are prompted to enter the wedge's height. If the <Other corner> point has the same Z value in the current UCS as the first corner point, you see this prompt: Height: Otherwise, you see this prompt: Height <height>: In either case, you define the height by entering a nonzero value or by locating two points. In the later example, you can accept the default height by pressing RETURN. \SOLWIRE The SOLWIRE command displays a solid object as a wireframe. A wireframe approximates solids by displaying the edges of faces and the tessellation lines of curved surfaces. The SOLWDENS variable controls the number of tessellation lines displayed on curved surfaces. The SOLWIRE and SOLMESH commands are mutually exclusive. This means that a solid is represented either as a wireframe or a mesh, but never both at the same time. The SOLMESH command displays the mesh Block and hides the wireframe Block; the SOLWIRE command performs the opposite operation. Select objects: Pick the solid objects you want to represent as wireframes. Note: Solid objects must be in a mesh representation before you can perform hidden-line removal or shading using the AutoCAD HIDE and SHADE commands. See the SOLMESH command.