Fractions are an integral part of many architectural and engineering drawings created in AutoCAD. They allow us to accurately represent measurements and dimensions. However, stacking fractions in AutoCAD can be a bit tricky if you’re not familiar with the right techniques.
Understanding Stacked Fractions
Stacked fractions, also known as compound fractions, are used when we have complex measurements that involve both whole numbers and fractions. Instead of writing them horizontally, stacked fractions are written vertically to improve readability and clarity.
The Fraction Stack
To stack fractions in AutoCAD, we need to use a combination of text formatting and special characters. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Use Text Formatting
Firstly, select the text or measurement that you want to format as a stacked fraction. To make it visually distinct, we’ll use bold and underline tags.
Example:
If you have a measurement like 2 1/2 inches, select the ‘2’ and format it as bold by enclosing it within the tags. Then select ‘1/2’ and enclose it within the tags to underline it.
Note:
If you want to italicize any part of the fraction or measurement, you can also use the tags.
Step 2: Add Special Characters
To create the stacked fraction effect, we need to include special characters such as forward slash (/) for division and underscore (_) for stacking. Insert these characters between the whole number, numerator, and denominator of your fraction.
Example:
The formatted measurement would look like this: 2 _/12 inches. Here, the underscore (_) acts as a separator and the slash (/) indicates division.
Using Stacked Fractions in AutoCAD
Now that you know how to stack fractions, let’s see how you can use them in AutoCAD.
Step 1: Activate the Multiline Text Command
To create stacked fractions in AutoCAD, we’ll use the Multiline Text command (MTEXT). You can activate it by typing ‘MTEXT’ in the command line or by selecting it from the ribbon.
Step 2: Enter the Stacked Fraction
In the MTEXT editor, enter your measurement or dimension using the stacked fraction format we discussed earlier. You can copy and paste it from a separate text editor to ensure accuracy.
Step 3: Adjust Formatting and Positioning
You can further customize the appearance of your stacked fraction by changing its font, size, alignment, and other formatting options available in the MTEXT editor. Additionally, you can adjust the position of the text within your drawing using grips or specifying precise coordinates.
The appearance of stacked fractions may vary depending on your chosen font and its compatibility with AutoCAD. It’s recommended to test different fonts to find one that suits your requirements.
In Conclusion
Stacking fractions in AutoCAD is a useful skill for creating professional-looking drawings with accurate measurements. By combining text formatting techniques and special characters like slashes and underscores, you can easily create visually engaging stacked fractions. Remember to experiment with different fonts to achieve the desired appearance.