Dividing a circle into equal parts is a common requirement in AutoCAD, especially when working on architectural or mechanical designs. It allows for precise placement of elements and ensures symmetrical arrangements. In this tutorial, we will explore a step-by-step approach to divide a circle into six equal parts using AutoCAD.
Step 1: Draw a Circle
To begin, let’s create the circle that we want to divide. Use the CIRCLE command by typing ‘CIRCLE’ in the command line or selecting it from the toolbar. Specify the center point of the circle and then enter the desired radius value.
Step 2: Create a Line
Next, we will draw a line that intersects the center of the circle and aligns with its outer edge. Use the LINE command by typing ‘LINE’ or selecting it from the toolbar. Specify two points – one at the center of the circle and another on its circumference.
Step 3: Copy and Rotate
In this step, we will copy and rotate our line to create six equally spaced lines around the circle. Select the line you created in Step 2 and use either COPY or MIRROR command by typing ‘COPY’ or ‘MIRROR’ respectively in the command line or selecting them from the toolbar.
- COPY:
- Select ‘Copy’ from either command line or toolbar options.
- Select your drawn line as an object to copy.
- Select ‘Base Point’ as center point of your circle.
- Select ‘Second Point’ as any point along the circumference of the circle.
- Specify the number of copies as ‘5’ (since we want a total of 6 lines).
- MIRROR:
- Select ‘Mirror’ from either command line or toolbar options.
- Select your drawn line as an object to mirror.
- Select ‘First Point’ and ‘Second Point’ as any two points along the circumference of the circle.
Step 4: Erase Extra Lines
Now that we have our six equally spaced lines, we can erase the original line created in Step 2. Use the ERASE command by typing ‘ERASE’ in the command line or selecting it from the toolbar. Select the original line and press Enter to delete it.
Step 5: Trim Intersection Points
In this step, we will trim off any excess lines that extend beyond our circle. Use the TRIM command by typing ‘TRIM’ in the command line or selecting it from the toolbar. Select all intersecting points where lines extend beyond the circle, and press Enter to trim them.
Step 6: Divide Circle into Six Equal Parts
We are now left with six equally spaced lines around our circle. To divide it into six equal parts, use either HATCH or BLOCK commands depending on your preferred method.
- HATCH:
- Type ‘HATCH’ in the command line or select it from the toolbar.
- Select ‘Pick point’ and click on an area within the circle.
- Specify a predefined hatch pattern or create a new one.
- Adjust the scale and angle as needed.
- Press Enter to complete the hatch process.
- BLOCK:
- Type ‘BLOCK’ in the command line or select it from the toolbar.
- Select all six lines and press Enter to create a block.
- Specify a name for the block and press Enter again.
- Click on an area within the circle to place the block.
Congratulations! You have successfully divided a circle into six equal parts using AutoCAD.
This technique can be applied to divide circles into any number of equal parts by adjusting the number of lines drawn in Step 3. Utilize these steps to enhance your designs and achieve precise symmetry in your AutoCAD projects.