In AutoCAD, calculating the area in square metres is a fundamental task. Whether you’re designing a building, creating a floor plan, or working on any other architectural project, accurately calculating the area is crucial for accurate measurements and estimations. In this tutorial, we will walk you through the steps to calculate area in square metres in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Draw Your Object
The first step is to draw the object for which you want to calculate the area. It can be a simple shape like a rectangle or a complex shape like an irregular polygon. Use the appropriate tools in AutoCAD to create your object.
Step 2: Activate the Area Command
To calculate the area of your object, you need to activate the Area command. You can do this by typing “AREA” in the command line or by clicking on the “Area” button in the Home tab of the Ribbon.
Step 3: Select Your Object
After activating the Area command, AutoCAD will prompt you to select objects for area calculation. Simply click on your object to select it.
Step 4: View and Verify Calculated Area
Once you have selected your object, AutoCAD will automatically calculate its area and display it in the command line. The calculated area will be displayed in square units based on your drawing’s unit setup.
Note:
- If your drawing’s unit setup is set to meters, then the calculated area will be shown directly in square meters.
- If your drawing’s unit setup is set to millimeters or centimeters, you need to manually convert the calculated value into square meters.
- If your drawing’s unit setup is set to feet or inches, you should consider converting the calculated area into square meters for better compatibility with architectural standards.
Step 5: Apply Scale Factor (if required)
In some cases, you may need to apply a scale factor to the calculated area. For example, if you are working on a 1:100 scale drawing, the calculated area will represent 1 square meter on the drawing, but in reality, it will be equal to 100 square meters. Make sure to consider the scale factor and adjust the calculated area accordingly.
Step 6: Round Off (if required)
Depending on your project requirements or personal preferences, you may need to round off the calculated area. AutoCAD provides various rounding options that allow you to round off the calculated value to a specific number of decimal places or significant figures.
Note:
- Rounding off is not always necessary, especially when dealing with precise measurements or when following specific architectural standards.
- Make sure to communicate any rounding off decisions clearly in your project documentation.
Congratulations!
You have successfully learned how to calculate area in square metres in AutoCAD. By accurately calculating areas, you can ensure precise measurements and estimations for your architectural projects. Remember to take into account the unit setup and any required scale factors or rounding off based on your project requirements.
Now go ahead and apply this knowledge in your own AutoCAD projects! Happy designing!