AutoCAD is a powerful software used for creating 2D and 3D designs. One of the essential features of AutoCAD is the ability to calculate areas. Whether you are an architect, engineer, or designer, knowing how to find the area of shapes in AutoCAD is crucial for accurate measurements and design specifications.
Using the AREA Command
To calculate the area of an object in AutoCAD, you can use the AREA command. The AREA command allows you to find the area of a closed shape or a set of connected lines. This command is especially useful when working with complex drawings that contain multiple shapes.
Step 1: Selecting Objects
To start using the AREA command, first, select the objects for which you want to find the area. You can select individual objects or choose multiple objects by using selection methods like window selection or crossing selection.
Step 2: Accessing the Command
Once you have selected the objects, there are multiple ways to access the AREA command. You can either:
– Type “AREA” in the command line.
– Go to “Home” tab > “Utilities” panel > “Measure” dropdown > “Area.”
– Use the keyboard shortcut “AA.”
Calculating Area with Options
After accessing the AREA command, AutoCAD provides you with options to fine-tune your area calculation.
Precision and Units:
By default, AutoCAD uses precision and units set in your drawing file. However, if you wish to change them temporarily for this calculation only, you can do so by entering new values for precision and units.
Select Objects:
If you have not selected any objects before accessing the AREA command, AutoCAD prompts you to choose objects at this stage.
Properties:
In addition to calculating areas based on object boundaries, AutoCAD also allows you to calculate areas based on object properties. You can choose to calculate areas by color, layer, or material.
Associative Option:
Enabling the associative option allows AutoCAD to update the calculated area automatically if any changes are made to the selected objects.
Using the Results
Once you have set the desired options and made your selection, AutoCAD calculates and displays the area in the command line. The value is also stored in a system variable called “LASTAREA” for future reference.
You can use this calculated area for various purposes:
– Specifying material quantities for cost estimation. – Determining land areas for site planning.
– Calculating floor areas for architectural designs. – Verifying design specifications.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While using the AREA command, you might encounter some issues. Here are a few common problems and their solutions:
Open Objects:
The AREA command only works with closed shapes. If your objects are not closed, make sure to join them using tools like JOIN or PEDIT before using the AREA command.
Overlapping Objects:
If your objects overlap each other, AutoCAD calculates their combined area. To calculate individual areas, remove overlapping portions by using commands like TRIM or BREAK.
Conclusion
Knowing how to use the AREA command in AutoCAD is essential for accurate calculations and measurements in your designs. By selecting objects and accessing the command with various options, you can quickly find areas of closed shapes or connected lines. Incorporate this knowledge into your workflow to enhance your productivity and ensure precision in your designs.