Inserting multiple points in AutoCAD can be a time-saving technique when working on complex designs or drawings. By using the appropriate AutoCAD commands, you can quickly add multiple points at specific locations within your design. In this tutorial, we will explore two methods for inserting multiple points in AutoCAD.
Method 1: Using the POINT Command
The POINT command in AutoCAD allows you to insert a single point at a specific location. However, by utilizing a combination of keyboard shortcuts and the COPY command, you can easily create multiple points.
Step 1: Activate the POINT Command
To begin, activate the POINT command by typing POINT on the command line or selecting it from the Draw panel in the Home tab.
Step 2: Specify the First Point
Select the desired location for your first point by clicking anywhere in your drawing area. This will be the base point from which we will copy additional points.
Step 3: Copy Additional Points
To copy additional points, press [Ctrl] and [Shift] simultaneously on your keyboard. Then, click and drag your mouse to create a selection window around the base point. Release the mouse button to complete the selection.
Step 4: Specify Displacement Distance
You will be prompted to specify a displacement distance for your copied points. Enter a numeric value or type D and press [Enter] to use AutoCAD’s default displacement value.
Method 2: Using AutoLISP Scripts
If you frequently need to insert multiple points with specific coordinates, using an AutoLISP script can be a more efficient approach. AutoLISP is a programming language that allows you to automate tasks in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Create an AutoLISP Script
Open a text editor and create a new file. Begin by typing (defun C:InsertPoints () to define the name of your script. This will create a function named “InsertPoints” that can be executed in AutoCAD.
Step 2: Define Point Coordinates
In the next line, use the (setq) function to define variables for the X, Y, and Z coordinates of your points. For example, you can use (setq pt1 (list 0 0 0)) to specify the coordinates of your first point.
Step 3: Insert Points
To insert the points, use the (command) function followed by the appropriate AutoCAD command and coordinate values. For example, you can use (command “point” pt1) to insert a point at the coordinates specified in variable pt1.
Step 4: Repeat for Additional Points
To insert multiple points, repeat Step 2 and Step 3 for each point you want to add. Make sure to modify the variable names and coordinate values accordingly.
Conclusion
In this tutorial, we explored two methods for inserting multiple points in AutoCAD. By using the POINT command combined with keyboard shortcuts and the COPY command, you can quickly add multiple points at specific locations within your design.
Alternatively, if you frequently need to insert multiple points with specific coordinates, using an AutoLISP script can automate this process. With these techniques at your disposal, you can streamline your workflow and save valuable time when working with points in AutoCAD.