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Hip tip: Converting lines and arcs to PLINE with PEDIT command

5 Comments Apr-22-2008 | Posted by Orhan Toker | Printable Version | Level |

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Dear Bloggers,

We have to use 2D POLYLINE especially when modeling in 3D and using EXTRUDE command. But most of the time, that fact is forgotten and we still use two dimensional lines and arcs. On the other hand, we are very aware of it sometimes and we first draw decorative objects using ARC-ARC continuity and then transform it into a PLOYLINE to send it to the CNC. PEDIT command is designed for these kinds of situations.

Actually, PEDIT command is not only used for transforming objects into a POLYLINE but, the subject of this article is uniting the objects into one by using JOIN option of PEDIT command.

Figure.1

You should know that the figure above is obtained by drawing circles on outer sides and trimming the extended parts. We can unite the outer objects by using PEDIT/JOIN.

Let us run the command.

Command: _pedit

A piece of POLYLINE or an object is requested in the next step. Pick an object that constitutes the outer border.

Select polyline or [Multiple]:

After the selection, a message warns you that the selected object is not a POLYLINE and you are asked if you want to turn it into one. The default answer is ‘y’ for yes. So you can just press enter.

Object selected is not a polyline
Do you want to turn it into one? y

Now, type ‘j’ to use JOIN option.

Enter an option [Close/Join/Width/Edit vertex/Fit/Spline/Decurve/Ltype gen/Undo]: j

Pick all objects that constitute the outer border one by one or by help of a window.

Select objects: Specify opposite corner: 6 found
Select objects:

Press ‘ENTER’ at the end of the selection. The command sorts the objects that can be joined and gives a report at the end (The objects have to be intersected at both ends in order to be joined).

3 segments added to polyline
Enter an option [Open/Join/Width/Edit vertex/Fit/Spline/Decurve/Ltype gen/Undo]:

If you look at the options line, the first one is ‘OPEN’. This designates that the process was successful and the selected objects were turned into a single closed POLYLINE. Of course, you can keep open an open object or close it by using ‘CLOSE’ option. Simply press ‘ENTER’ in this case.

Figure.2

The adjacent objects sometimes seems like they are intersecting but they might not. You have to zoom in, check both ends and have them intersected.

Figure.3

That’s all for today.

Regards.

Related Articles:

• Hip tip: LINE-LINE, LINE-ARC-ARC-ARC-ARC-LINE continuity.
• 3D Modeling Application: Drawing a 3D chain
• Joining corners by using FILLET
• Arc drawing techniques in AutoCAD

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