How Do You Find the Total Length in AutoCAD?
AutoCAD is a powerful software used for creating and editing 2D and 3D designs. When working on complex drawings, it is often necessary to determine the total length of certain objects or lines. Fortunately, AutoCAD provides several tools that can help you easily find the total length of selected elements.
Using the LENGTH Command
The simplest way to find the total length of objects in AutoCAD is by using the LENGTH command. Here’s how:
- Select the objects or lines for which you want to find the total length.
- Type “LENGTH” in the command line and press Enter.
- The total length will be displayed in the command line output.
This method works well for finding the total length of individual objects or a selection of objects. However, if you have a large number of objects or if they are not contiguous, there is a more efficient way to calculate the total length using AutoCAD’s Properties palette.
Using the Properties Palette
The Properties palette in AutoCAD provides detailed information about selected objects, including their lengths. To find the total length using this method:
- Select all the objects for which you want to find the total length.
- Go to the Properties palette by typing “PROPERTIES” in the command line and pressing Enter, or by clicking on the Properties icon in the Home tab of AutoCAD’s ribbon.
- In the Properties palette, look for the “Length” property. The value displayed represents the total length of the selected objects.
This method is particularly useful when you need to find the total length of multiple non-contiguous objects or when you want to quickly check the lengths of different elements in your drawing.
Using the MEASUREGEOM Command
If you want to find the total length of multiple objects and have more control over which elements are included, you can use AutoCAD’s MEASUREGEOM command. Follow these steps:
- Type “MEASUREGEOM” in the command line and press Enter.
- Select “Total Length” from the options menu.
- Select the objects or lines for which you want to find the total length. You can choose individual lines or select all objects by typing “A” in the command line and pressing Enter.
- The total length will be displayed in a separate window.
The MEASUREGEOM command provides additional options for finding lengths, areas, angles, and other geometric properties. It is a powerful tool that can be used to analyze complex drawings and obtain precise measurements.
Conclusion
Finding the total length of objects in AutoCAD is an essential task for many designers and engineers. Whether you prefer using simple commands like LENGTH or need more control with tools like Properties palette or MEASUREGEOM, AutoCAD provides various methods to help you accurately calculate lengths and dimensions in your drawings.
Remember to save your work regularly while working with AutoCAD so that you don’t lose any valuable data!