Many AutoCAD users often come across the need to convert an arc into a polyline. While arcs are great for creating curved shapes, polylines offer more versatility as they can be edited and modified easily. In this tutorial, we will explore the steps to convert an arc to a polyline in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Select the Arc
To begin, open your AutoCAD software and open the drawing that contains the arc you want to convert. Use the selection tool to select the arc you wish to convert. You can do this by clicking on the arc with your cursor.
Step 2: Accessing the Convert Tools
Once you have selected the arc, navigate to the Modify tab located at the top of your AutoCAD window. In this tab, you will find a group of tools called “Modify” where you can access various editing options. Click on “Explode” from this group of tools.
Step 3: Exploding the Arc
The Explode tool allows us to break down complex objects into their individual components. By exploding our selected arc, we will be able to access its segments and convert them into a polyline.
Note: Before proceeding with this step, make sure you have made a backup copy of your original drawing or have it saved in a format that preserves its layers and properties.
Selecting “Explode” will prompt AutoCAD to break down your selected arc into separate line segments. These segments are now ready for conversion into a polyline.
Step 4: Converting Segments into Polylines
To convert these exploded segments into polylines, we will use another tool called “PEDIT.” PEDIT stands for “Polyline Edit” and provides various editing options for polylines.
Access the PEDIT tool by typing “PEDIT” in the command line or by clicking on the Polyline Edit icon located in the Modify tab. Once you have activated the tool, AutoCAD will prompt you to select objects. Select all the exploded segments of your arc.
After selecting all the segments, press Enter to proceed. AutoCAD will then prompt you with a series of options related to polyline editing. Among these options, select “Join” and press Enter.
Note: In some cases, you may need to adjust additional settings or perform additional steps depending on your specific requirements. However, for a basic conversion of an arc to a polyline, simply joining the segments should suffice.
Step 5: Verify and Cleanup
Now that you have converted your arc into a polyline, it is important to verify its integrity and perform any necessary cleanup.
Select the newly created polyline and use AutoCAD’s properties panel or type “PROPERTIES” in the command line to access its properties. Ensure that it has retained its desired characteristics such as layer assignment, linetype, and line width.
If any adjustments are needed, use AutoCAD’s editing tools such as “Move,” “Rotate,” or “Scale” to modify the polyline as required.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully converted an arc into a polyline in AutoCAD.
By utilizing the Explode and PEDIT tools, you can convert arcs into polylines and gain more flexibility in editing your drawings. Remember to always double-check your work and make backups before making significant changes to ensure data integrity.