Construction Lines and RaysConstruction Lines and Rays(Xlines)(Xlines)

Sacramento City CollegeEngineering Design

Technology

Construction Lines (XLines) 1

Construction Lines (XLines) 2

Drawing Construction Lines Drawing Construction Lines

Construction lines are used for layout purposes. They are not part of the drawing. They are “not the object that is being drawn”. Are equivalent to “guidelines” or “layout lines”

in manual drafting They are drawn very lightly by the drafter so they

do not reproduce.

Construction Lines (XLines) 3

Drawing Construction Lines Drawing Construction Lines

AutoCAD has two types of construction lines XLINES RAYS

Both can be used for similar purposes. XLINE has more options and flexibility.

Construction Lines (XLines) 4

The XLINE Command The XLINE Command

Construction Lines (XLines) 5

The XLINE CommandThe XLINE Command

XLINE command creates XLINE objects.

An XLINE object is an infinite length line designed for use as a construction line.

Construction Lines (XLines) 6

The XLINE CommandThe XLINE Command

XLINES do not change the Drawing Extents. do not affect zooming operations.

Construction Lines (XLines) 7

The XLINE CommandThe XLINE Command

XLINES can be modified by Moving Copying Trimming and Other editing operations.

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XLINESXLINES

TRIM and FILLET change the object type. If one end is trimmed, an XLINE becomes a

RAY. A RAY becomes an “ordinary” LINE

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XLINESXLINES

To access XLINES Pick Construction Line button in the Draw

toolbar. Pick Construction Line in the Draw pull-down

menu. type XL or XLINE at the Command: prompt.

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Drawing Construction LinesDrawing Construction Lines

The following XLINE Options are available: From point Hor Ver Ang Bisect Offset

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Drawing Construction LinesDrawing Construction Lines

XLINE Options: From Point Specify two points that the construction line

passes through. The first point = the root point. After the root point is picked, the Through point

prompt allows you to pick as many points as you like.

XLINES are created between every point picked and the root point.

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Drawing Construction LinesDrawing Construction Lines

XLINE Options: Hor - horizontal line Draws a horizontal construction line through a

single specified point.

The line is automatically drawn horizontal and you only have to pick one point.

Every time you click the mouse, a Horizontal XLine is drawn.

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Drawing Construction LinesDrawing Construction Lines

XLINE Options: Ver - vertical line Draws a vertical construction line through the

specified point.

The line is automatically drawn vertical you only have to pick one point.

Every time you click the mouse, a Vertical XLine is drawn.

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Drawing Construction LinesDrawing Construction Lines XLine Options: Ang - line at a specific

angle Draws a construction line at a specified angle

through a specified point. 45 degrees, 30 degrees, etc.

The line is automatically drawn at the angle you specify

You only have to pick one point.

Every time you click the mouse, an XLine is drawn at that angle.

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Drawing Construction LinesDrawing Construction Lines

XLINE Options: Bisect - draws a construction line that bisects

a specified angle

XLINE Options: Offset - draws a construction line at a

specified distance from a selected line object

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Using XLINES - Using XLINES - Special ConsiderationsSpecial Considerations

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XLINES LayerXLINES Layer

XLINES and RAYS Are drawn on the current layer. Plot the same as other objects.

It is best to set up a special layer for construction lines.

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XLINES ColorXLINES Color

Set construction lines to a color that is “background”.

Recommended color: RED A little difficult to see, makes them “stay out of

your way.”

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Construction Lines (XLines) 20

RaysRays

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XLINES to RAYSXLINES to RAYS

A RAY is considered to be semi-infinite because it is infinite in one direction only.

If the infinite end of a ray is trimmed off it becomes a LINE object.

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RAY CommandRAY Command

The RAY command is limited compared to the XLINE command. The command allows you to specify the point

of origin and a point the ray passes through Ray extends in one direction only

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RAY CommandRAY Command

The RAY command can be accessed by: Picking RAY in the Draw pull-down menu. Typing RAY at the Command: prompt.

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XLINES and RAY CommandsXLINES and RAY Commands

Neither the XLINE or the RAY command allow you to UNDO a construction line that you have already drawn.