Mastering Autocad's Multiline Features

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What are Multi Lines?
3. How to Use the Multi Line Command
4. Changing Settings for Multi Lines
5. Using Justification in Multi Lines
6. Scaling Multi Lines
7. Creating and Modifying Multi Line Styles
8. Coloring and Line Types in Multi Lines
9. Saving and Loading Multi Line Styles
10. Editing and Manipulating Multi Lines a. Closing and Opening Junctions b. Adding and Deleting Vertices c. Cutting and Welding Multi Lines
11. Converting Multi Lines to Line Objects
12. Conclusion

Introduction

Welcome to this tutorial on multi lines in AutoCAD. Multi lines are a collection of Parallel lines drawn consecutively, providing a convenient way to draw civil objects and mechanical drawings. In this tutorial, we will explore the various commands and settings related to multi lines. We'll look at how to use the multi line command, change settings such as justification and scaling, Create and modify multi line styles, Apply colors and line types, save and load styles, and learn how to edit and manipulate multi lines. So let's dive in and discover the power of multi lines in AutoCAD.

What are Multi Lines?

Multi lines in AutoCAD are a series of parallel lines drawn consecutively. They can range from 1 to 16 lines, allowing for the creation of complex shapes and objects. Multi lines are useful in civil engineering and mechanical drawings, as they provide a convenient way to represent objects with multiple parallel lines.

How to Use the Multi Line Command

The multi line command in AutoCAD allows You to create multi lines quickly and easily. To invoke the command, simply Type "ml" or "mline" on the keyboard and press Enter. This will activate the multi line command.

Once the command is activated, you will see the Current settings for the multi lines, such as justification, Scale, and style. By default, the justification is set to "Top" and the scale is set to 1.00. The style is set to "Standard".

To draw a multi line, simply click on the screen to specify the starting point, and then click again to specify the next point. AutoCAD will automatically draw the parallel lines for you, Based on the number of lines and the spacing defined by the current settings.

Changing Settings for Multi Lines

The settings for multi lines can be modified to suit your needs. To change the justification, scale, or style, you can use the command input. For example, to change the justification to "Bottom", you would type "justification bottom" and press Enter.

The scale determines the spacing between the parallel lines in the multi line. A scale of 1.00 means each line is spaced one unit apart. You can change the scale to increase or decrease the spacing between the lines.

The style defines the appearance of the multi line. By default, the style is set to "Standard", but you can create and apply custom styles to suit your design requirements.

Using Justification in Multi Lines

Justification in multi lines refers to the positioning of the Cursor when drawing the lines. By default, the justification is set to "Top", which means the cursor is positioned at the uppermost line of the multi line.

You can change the justification to "Zero", which will position the cursor in the middle of the lines, or "Bottom", which will position the cursor at the lowermost line.

By changing the justification, you can control the starting point of the multi line and achieve different effects in your drawings.

Scaling Multi Lines

The scale of a multi line determines the spacing between the parallel lines. A scale of 1.00 means each line is spaced one unit apart. You can change the scale to increase or decrease the spacing between the lines.

To change the scale, use the "scale" command followed by the desired scale value. For example, to set the scale to 5 units, type "scale 5" and press Enter. This will widen the spacing between the lines, making the multi line appear more spread out.

Conversely, if you want a more compact multi line, you can set the scale to a value less than 1. For example, to set the scale to 0.5 units, type "scale 0.5" and press Enter. This will narrow the spacing between the lines, making the multi line appear more closely packed.

Creating and Modifying Multi Line Styles

AutoCAD allows you to create custom multi line styles to suit your design requirements. To create a new multi line style, use the "mlstyle" command. This will open the multi line styles window, where you can create and modify styles.

In the multi line styles window, you will see a list of existing styles. By default, there is only one style called "Standard". To create a new style, click on the "New" icon and enter a name for the style. You can also provide a description for the style if desired.

Once you have created a new style, you can modify its settings. The settings include options such as caps, outer arcs, angle, color, and display joints. You can customize these settings to create different visual effects for your multi lines.

Coloring and Line Types in Multi Lines

AutoCAD allows you to apply colors and line types to your multi lines. This can be done using the color dropdown menu and line type dropdown menu.

To apply a color to a multi line, select the line and choose a color from the color dropdown menu. You can select from a variety of predefined colors or use the color match option to select a custom color.

Similarly, you can change the line type of a multi line by selecting the line and choosing a line type from the line type dropdown menu. AutoCAD provides a selection of predefined line types, and you can also load additional line types if needed.

These color and line type settings allow you to enhance the visual appearance of your multi lines and make them stand out in your drawings.

Saving and Loading Multi Line Styles

Once you have created a custom multi line style, you can save it for future use. To save a multi line style, use the "save" command followed by the name you want to give to the style.

Saved multi line styles are stored as separate files with the extension ".mlm". You can load these styles in future drawing Sessions using the "mlstyle" command and selecting the desired style from the list.

This feature allows you to reuse your custom styles and maintain consistency in your drawings.

Editing and Manipulating Multi Lines

AutoCAD provides several options for editing and manipulating multi lines. These options include closing and opening junctions, adding and deleting vertices, cutting and welding multi lines, and converting multi lines to line objects.

Closing and Opening Junctions

If you want to close or open a junction in a multi line, you can use the "close" and "open" options in the "mledit" command.

To close a junction, select the junction and choose the "closed" option. This will join the lines at the junction, creating a closed Shape.

To open a junction, select the junction and choose the "open" option. This will separate the lines at the junction, creating an open shape.

Adding and Deleting Vertices

AutoCAD allows you to add or delete vertices in a multi line to modify its shape. To add a vertex, use the "add vertex" option in the "mledit" command. Click on the multi line where you want to add the vertex, and it will be inserted at that point.

To delete a vertex, use the "delete vertex" option in the "mledit" command. Click on the vertex you want to delete, and it will be removed from the multi line.

These options give you precise control over the shape of your multi lines and allow you to create complex designs.

Cutting and Welding Multi Lines

AutoCAD provides options to cut and weld multi lines, allowing you to modify their structure.

To cut a multi line, select the multi line and use the "cut single" or "cut all" options in the "mledit" command. Cutting a single segment will remove a specific section from the multi line, while cutting all segments will delete the entire multi line.

To weld multi lines, select the lines you want to weld and use the "weld" option in the "mledit" command. This will join the selected lines, creating a continuous multi line.

These options give you the ability to reshape and rearrange multi lines as needed for your design.

Converting Multi Lines to Line Objects

If you want to convert a multi line to a simple line object, you can use the "explode" command. Select the multi line and use the "explode" command to convert it into individual line objects.

Once exploded, the multi line will be converted into separate lines, allowing you to further edit and manipulate them as needed.

By converting multi lines to line objects, you can work with them independently and apply different settings and modifications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, multi lines are a powerful tool in AutoCAD for drawing civil objects and mechanical drawings. They allow you to create complex shapes and objects with ease. By mastering the various commands and settings related to multi lines, you can enhance your design workflows and create more detailed and precise drawings. So start using multi lines in your AutoCAD projects and unlock new possibilities for your designs.