Polyline command in AutoCAD allows you to create a single object consisting of connected straight line segments and (optionally) arc segments. You can also create a single object consisting of multiple segments with varying line thicknesses.
A polyline whose last segment is connected to the first segment to form a closed area can be extruded into a 3D Solid object.
This command is included in the DRAW command group.
You can activate the POLYLINE command from the Ribbon Panel by clicking it’s icon in the DRAW panel under the Home tab.
You can also activate the POLYLINE command by clicking the DRAW menu in the Menu Bar, then selecting the POLYLINE Command.
If you want to activate the command from the command line, you can type POLYLINE in full or just type PL then Enter.
| Command | POLYLINE |
| Function | Create a single object consisting of connected straight line segments and (optionally) arc segments |
| Icon |  |
| Shortcut | PL |
A. How to use the POLYLINE command
If you want to create a polyline object that is just straight line segments connected to each other, the method is exactly the same as the LINE command.
But to create a Polyline object that consists of line segments and arc segments, follow the steps below:
- Activate the POLYLINE command
- Specify start point of the Polyline
- Specify next point (second, third and so on), this will form a straight line segment
- Select the Arc option from the command line to create an arc segment that is tangent to the previous segment (optional)
- Select the Line option from the command line to continue creating straight line segments again
Click here for a complete explanation of how to enable command in AutoCAD and select options from command line.
B. Prompts and Options
When running the Polyline command, there will be several prompts and options on the command line, including:
- Specify start point: you have to specify the starting point for the Polyline
- Specify next point: if you specify the next point, this point will connect with the previous point to form a straight line segment. If you want to create an arc segment, select the Arc option from the command line
- Arc: option to create an Arc segment tangent with the previous segment
- Halfwidth: specifies the width from the center of a wide segment to an edge
- Width: specifies the width of the next segment
- Length: option to create a segment of a specified length at the same angle as the previous segment. If the previous segment is an arc, the new line segment is tangent to that arc segment.
- Undo: remove the most recently added segment.
If you select the Arc option, the options below will appear on the command line:
- Angle: option to specify the included angle of the arc segment from the start point
- Radius: option to specify the radius of arc segment
- cEnter: option to specify the center point of the arc
- Second Pt: option to specify second point of the arc
- Line: option to create a straight line on the next segment
Click here for a detailed explanation of how to specify the location / coordinate of points on the AutoCAD work screen.
C. Example
Below is an example of creating an object using the Polyline command. We will start from point A.
Notes: in the image above, the polyline is the black line. Don’t forget to enable ORTHO mode to make the horizontal and vertical lines accurate.
To create a polyline object like the image above, follow the steps below:
- Activate the POLYLINE command
- Specify the start point for the Polyline
- Move the cursor away to the right, type 15 then Enter
- Select Arc option from the command line
- Select Radius option. Type 5 then Enter
- Select Angle option. Type 90 then Enter.
- Prompts will appear: “specify direction of chord for arc”. Type 45 then Enter
- Select Line option from the command line
- move the cursor over the last point, type 5 then Enter
- Press Enter again to end the command
If you have difficulty creating arc segments on a polyline, you can create a polyline without arc segments, then modify it with the Fillet command.
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