How to Manipulate Geometric Functions in AutoCAD
Autodesk AutoCAD is a computer-aided design (CAD) application that draws lines and shapes as vectors. It accurately defines vector lines or shapes as mathematical functions, which makes the lines appear accurately at any scale. The handles on a form manipulates its geometry. After defining the form of a line or shape, you can find its attributes -- such as its length, area and volume -- using the "Inquiry" tool. Check and manipulate other attributes in the "Properties Inspector."
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Instructions
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Open AutoCAD and your project file. Otherwise, create a new file in AutoCAD by selecting "New" in the "File" menu.
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Draw the geometric function by using the buttons in the AutoCAD toolbar or typing the name of the function in the command line. For example, draw a line by typing "Line," a rectangle by typing "Rectangle," a circle by typing "Circle" or an arc by typing "Arc." Click in the drawing window and follow the instructions provided in the command line to create the line or shape.
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Select the line or shape. Select the square handles to manipulate it by moving the handle to another location in the window. Move the handle using the mouse or typing "@X,Y" in the command line, where "@" defines movement of the handle relative to its original location, "X" defines the horizontal distance to move the handle and "Y" defines the vertical distance to move the handle.
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Type "Measuregeom" in the command line to use the "Inquiry" tool to find the attributes of the line or shape. Type the attribute that you would like to display, such as "Distance," "Radius," "Angle," "Area" or "Volume." Select the line or shape and the attribute will appear.
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Type "Properties" in the command line to open the "Properties Inspector," which provides fields to find and edit the form of the line or shape; these fields include the "X" position, "Y" position, "Radius," "Perimeter" and "Angle." Furthermore, the "Properties Inspector" provides tools that allow you to affect the graphic form of the line or shape; these tools include "Layer," "Color," "Lineweight," "Linetype" and "Transparency."
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