PLINE (Command)

Creates a 2D polyline, a single object that is composed of line and arc segments.

Find

A 2D polyline is a connected sequence of segments created as a single planar object. You can create straight line segments, arc segments, or a combination of the two.

Note: A temporary plus-shaped marker displays at the first point. This marker can be useful when you create long and complicated polylines. It is removed when you complete the polyline.

The PLINEGEN system variable controls the linetype pattern display around and the smoothness of the vertices of a 2D polyline. Setting PLINEGEN to 1 generates new polylines in a continuous pattern around the vertices of the completed polyline. Setting PLINEGEN to 0 starts and ends the polyline with a dash at each vertex. PLINEGEN does not apply to polylines with tapered segments.

The following prompts are displayed.

Start point

Sets the starting point for the polyline.

• If you specify a second point, you draw line segments.
• If you enter a (for Arc), you draw arc segments.

Arc

The following prompts are displayed when you draw arc segments.

Endpoint of arc

Completes an arc segment. The arc segment is tangent to the previous segment of the polyline.

Angle

Specifies the included angle of the arc segment from the start point.

Entering a positive number creates counterclockwise arc segments. Entering a negative number creates clockwise arc segments.

Center

Specifies an arc segment based on its center point.

Note: For the Center option of the PLINE command, enter ce; for the Center object snap, enter cen or center.

• Center point of arc. Specifies the center point of the polyline arc.
• Endpoint of arc. Specifies the endpoint and draws the arc segment.
• Angle. Specifies the included angle of the arc segment from the start point.
• Length. Specifies the chord length (the distance from endpoint to endpoint of the arc segment. If the previous segment is an arc, the new arc segment is drawn tangent to the previous arc segment.

Close

Draws an arc segment from the last point specified to the starting point, creating a closed polyline. At least two points must be specified to use this option.

Direction

Specifies the tangent for the arc segment.

• Tangent direction from the start point of the arc. Specifies a point that establishes a tangency of the curve to the start point. The arc curves away from the vector between the start point and the tangent point.
• Endpoint of the arc. Specifies the endpoint of the arc segment.

Tip: Press Ctrl to draw in a clockwise direction.

Halfwidth

Specifies the width from the center of a wide polyline segment to one of its edges.

The starting half-width becomes the default ending half-width. The ending half-width becomes the uniform half-width for all subsequent segments until you change the half-width again. The starting and ending points of wide line segments are at the center of the line. Typically, the intersections of adjacent wide polyline segments are beveled. No beveling is performed for nontangent arc segments or very acute angles or when a dot-dash linetype is used.

• Starting half-width. Specifies the width and the start point of the segment.
• Ending half-width. Specifies the width at the endpoint.

Line

Switches from drawing arc segments to drawing straight segments.

Radius

Specifies the radius of the arc segment.

• Radius of arc. Specify a distance.
• Endpoint of arc. Specifies the endpoint and draws the arc segment.

Second pt

Specifies the second point and endpoint of a three-point arc.

Undo

Removes the most recent arc segment added to the polyline.

Width

Specifies the width of the next arc segment.

The starting width becomes the default ending width. The ending width becomes the uniform width for all subsequent segments until you change the width again. The starting and ending points of wide line segments are at the center of the line.

Typically, the intersections of adjacent wide polyline segments are beveled. No beveling is performed for nontangent arc segments, very acute angles, or when a dot-dash linetype is used.

• Starting width.
• Ending width.

Line

The following prompts are displayed when you are drawing straight polyline segments.

Next point

Specifies the endpoint of a straight polyline segment.

Arc

Switches from drawing straight segments to drawing arc segments.

Close

Draws a line segment from the last point specified to the starting point, creating a closed polyline. At least two points must be specified to use this option.

Halfwidth

Specifies the width from the center of a wide polyline line segment to one of its edges.

The starting half-width becomes the default ending half-width. The ending half-width becomes the uniform half-width for all subsequent segments until you change the half-width again. The starting and ending points of wide line segments are at the center of the line.

Typically, the intersections of adjacent wide polyline segments are beveled. No beveling is performed for nontangent arc segments or very acute angles or when a dot-dash linetype is used.

• Starting half-width. Specifies the width and the start point of the segment.
• Ending half-width. Specifies the width at the endpoint.

Length

Draws a line segment of a specified length at the same angle as the previous segment. If the previous segment is an arc, the new line segment is drawn tangent to that arc segment.

Undo

Removes the most recent line segment added to the polyline.

Width

Specifies the starting and ending width of the next line segment.

The starting width becomes the default ending width. The ending width becomes the uniform width for all subsequent segments until you change the width again. The starting and ending points of wide line segments are at the center of the line.

Typically, the intersections of adjacent wide polyline segments are beveled. No beveling is performed for nontangent arc segments or very acute angles or when a dot-dash linetype is used.