PLINE (Command)¶
Creates a connected sequence of line and arc segments as a single polyline entity. Unlike the LINE command which creates separate line entities, PLINE creates one unified object.
Quick start
Toolbar > Draw > Polyline, or type PLINE in the Command Panel
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Specify start point | First point of the polyline |
| Specify next point | Additional points — segments are drawn between consecutive points |
Keywords¶
| Keyword | When available | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Arc | In Line mode | Switch to arc segments |
| Line | In Arc mode | Switch back to line segments |
| Length | In Line mode | Specify a segment length in the current direction |
| Close | After 3+ points | Close the polyline back to the start point |
| Undo | After first point | Remove the last vertex |
How to Use¶
Command: PLINE
Specify start point: 0,0
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Undo]: 50,0
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Close/Undo]: 50,30
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Close/Undo]: Close
Line Segments (Default)¶
By default, PLINE draws straight line segments between points:
Command: PLINE
Specify start point: 0,0
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Undo]: 100,0
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Close/Undo]: 100,50
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Close/Undo]: (Enter)
Arc Segments¶
Type Arc to switch to arc mode. Arc segments are tangent to the previous segment direction:
Command: PLINE
Specify start point: 0,0
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Undo]: 50,0
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Close/Undo]: Arc
Specify next point [Line/Close/Undo]: 80,30
Specify next point [Line/Close/Undo]: Line
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Close/Undo]: 80,60
The arc bulge is automatically calculated to be tangent to the previous segment.
Length Option¶
Specify a segment length that extends in the direction of the current segment:
Command: PLINE
Specify start point: 0,0
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Undo]: 50,0
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Close/Undo]: Length
Specify length: 30 --> extends 30 units in same direction
Close¶
Type Close (available after 3 or more points) to connect the last point back to the first:
Command: PLINE
Specify start point: 0,0
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Undo]: 60,0
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Close/Undo]: 60,40
Specify next point [Arc/Length/Close/Undo]: Close --> connects to (0,0)
Undo¶
Type Undo to remove the last vertex without ending the command.
Polyline vs Line¶
| Feature | PLINE | LINE |
|---|---|---|
| Entity type | Single polyline entity | Individual line entities |
| Arc segments | Supported (Arc keyword) | Not supported |
| Close | Closes as one entity | Closes with separate line |
| Selection | Select entire shape at once | Each segment is independent |
| Offset | Offsets entire shape | Offsets one segment |
Best Practices¶
| Practice | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Use PLINE for closed shapes | Single entity, easier to select/edit |
| Mix Line and Arc segments | Smooth transitions in one entity |
| Use Close for closed shapes | Ensures proper closure |
| Use PLINE for hatch boundaries | Cleaner boundary definition |
| Use Length for known segment lengths | Quick extension without calculating endpoints |
Quick Reference¶
| Task | Input |
|---|---|
| Start polyline | PLINE → start point → next points |
| Switch to arc segments | Type Arc |
| Switch to line segments | Type Line |
| Extend by length | Type Length → enter distance |
| Close the polyline | Type Close (after 3+ points) |
| Undo last point | Type Undo |
| End without closing | Press Enter |
See also: Line Command | Spline Command | Arc Command