Chapter 4 CAD Commands and Functions 113
AutoCAD Example:
Command: list↵
Select objects: 1 found
Select objects: ↵
(The text window that appears lists the properties of
the selected object.)
Command:
Distance
The
Distance
command measures the dis-
tance and angle between two points. The result
is displayed in drawing units. This command is
very useful in determining lengths, angles, and
distances on a drawing without actually placing
dimensions.
AutoCAD Example:
Command: dist↵
Specify fi rst point:
(pick the fi rst endpoint of the
distance to measure)
Specify second point:
(pick the second endpoint of the
distance to measure)
Distance = 9.1788, Angle in XY Plane = 29, Angle from
XY Plane = 0
Delta X = 8.0000, Delta Y = 4.5000, Delta Z = 0.0000
Command:
Area
The
Area
command is used to calculate the
area of an enclosed space. Often, you can select a
closed object or simply pick points on an imagi-
nary boundary. Most CAD programs allow you
to remove islands, or internal areas, Figure 4-16.
The
Area
command has many applications in
technical drafting, such as calculating the area
of a surface to determine the weight of an object,
or calculating the square footage of a house.
AutoCAD Example:
Command: area↵
Specify fi rst corner point or [Object/Add/Subtract]:
add↵
Specify fi rst corner point or [Object/Subtract]:
(pick
the fi rst point of the area, as shown in Figure 4-16) fi
Specify next corner point or press ENTER for total
(ADD mode):
(pick the next point of the area, as
shown in Figure 4-16)
Specify next corner point or press ENTER for total
(ADD mode):
(pick the next point of the area, as
shown in Figure 4-16)
Specify next corner point or press ENTER for total
(ADD mode):
(pick the next point of the area, as
shown in Figure 4-16)
Specify next corner point or press ENTER for total
(ADD mode):
(pick the next point of the area, as
shown in Figure 4-16)
Specify next corner point or press ENTER for total
(ADD mode):
(pick the next point of the area, as
shown in Figure 4-16)
Specify next corner point or press ENTER for total
(ADD mode):
(pick the next point of the area, as
shown in Figure 4-16)
Specify next corner point or press ENTER for total
(ADD mode):
(pick the last point of the area, as
shown in Figure 4-16)
Specify next corner point or press ENTER for total
(ADD mode): ↵
Area = 657.3750, Perimeter = 103.5000
Total area = 657.3750
Specify fi rst corner point or [Object/Subtract]:
subtract↵
Specify fi rst corner point or [Object/Add]: object↵
(SUBTRACT mode) Select objects:
(select the
internal circle shown in Figure 4-16)
Area = 1.7671, Circumference = 4.7124
Total area = 655.6079
(SUBTRACT mode) Select objects: ↵
Specify fi rst corner point or [Object/Add]: ↵
Command:
Figure 4-16. The Area command can be used to
calculate how many square feet of tile are required for
this garage fl oor. The surface to be covered in tile is
outlined in color. Notice the drain that will be removed
from the calculation.