Quick Tip: Use Divide/Measure with a Block
Subdividing a line into a user-specified length or number of divisions is done with the Measure and Divide commands. By default, when using those commands, a Point object is placed at the specified increment, but you can also use a Block.
How to Configure the Point Style
- From the Format menu, click Point Style to open the Point Style dialog box (or type DDPTYPE).
- Pick a point style.
- Click the radio button for Set Size in Absolute Units.
- Set the size to 2 (this measurement is in inches and is measured from the center of the point, not end to end.) You can adjust this value using the variable PDSIZE, if necessary.
GOLD STAR TIP:
You can also set the point style using PDMODE if you know the number. This is the chart from AutoCAD’s Help section for the Point command.
The values for the top row in the Point Style dialog box (missing in their chart) are:
0 (the dot), 1 (blank), 2 (the cross), 3 (the X), 4 (the post).
Placing Points with Divide and Measure
The Divide and Measure commands place point objects at a user-specified interval. Both of these commands are accessed from the expanded Draw panel [Home tab].
Divide
Think ‘equal sections.’ Select the line to be divided, specify the number of segments, and AutoCAD® places a point at equal intervals. In this figure, I requested six segments.
Measure
Think ‘tape measure.’ When selecting the line segment, consider to which end of the line you would hook the tape measure. AutoCAD measures from the endpoint nearest to the point on the line you pick.
In the first figure, I picked on the left side of the line. The second figure indicates a pick point on the right side of the line.
In each case you can see that the length of the remainder is shorter than the increment shown between the points.
The Block Option [Divide and Measure Commands]
In both the Divide and Measure commands there is a Block option. You will first need to create a block or have one in the drawing. I made one named ‘arrow’ (shown off to the side).
Here are the prompts and responses for using the Block option.
Command: Divide (or Measure)
Select object to divide:
Enter the number of segments or [Block]: B
Enter name of block to insert: ARROW
Align block with object? [Yes/No] <Y>: [Enter]
Enter the number of segments: 10
Memo: The block you specify to be used must be defined in that drawing already.
Note: Portions of this article were presented on CADTutor.net in Michael’s Corner, July 2003.
