Create a Linestring Using the CAD Command Line

Use the Create Linestring command alias on the CAD Command Line to create linestrings to represent 2D or 3D linear objects. For details on linestrings, see Understanding Lines, Linestrings, and Alignments and the Create and Edit a Linestring set of topics.

Note: The pane-based versions of the commands may have additional options not offered on the CAD Command Line.
Notes: You can use any of the various Coordinate Picker options when picking points to create your line segment.

Prerequisites:

License; See the Subscription Plans page. For a license matrix by command, see the License page in the TBC Community. Also see View and manage licensed features.

To create a linestring from the CAD Command Line:

Press [F3] or click the icon on the Status Bar to open the CAD Command Line.
Type L at the command prompt, and press [Enter].
If needed, set the Layer, Color, and/or Line style below the command prompt. These properties persist the next time you run the command.
(Optional) Before you specify the start point of the linestring, enter a keyword character to toggle one of these modes:
- Auto-advance Elevation - Enter EL (at any step) to create all of the linestring's vertices at the same elevation. If enabled, you will not be prompted for the Elevation again. If you entered one previously, it will persist for all subsequently created vertices.
- Extend vertical - Enter E to specify that an interpolated elevation be used for the end segment in cases where elevations are specified for the preceding segments but not the end segment.
For the Start point, enter a coordinate or point ID, pick a point in a supported view (Plan, Sheet, or Cutting Plane).
- Coordinate - If you start the linestring with the coordinate of any location (point) you pick, the linestring's geometry remains fixed at that point until you edit its coordinate.
- Point ID - If you start the linestring with a named point (point ID), the linestring's geometry always reflects the location of the point. If you move the point, the linestring updates in response.
Type an Elevation and press [Enter].
Based on the Straight and Line modes set at the prompt, pick another point on the polygon edge in the view, or enter a keyword character to use another mode. The options are:
Segment type
- Line - Enter L to add a straight segment on the polygon boundary.
Deflection
- Straight - Enter ST to create a straight segment that extends from the previous segment's end point (or the line's start point) to the new segment's endpoint.
- Deflection angle - Enter D to create a straight segment that extends from the previous segment's end point to the new segment's endpoint based on the deflection angle and length you specify.
- Perpendicular left - Enter LE.
  - Perpendicular right - Enter R.
  - Straight ahead - Enter AH.
  - Specified angle - Enter SP to specify that the angle be measured while backsighting the start point for the previous segment.
    Foresight - Enter FO.
    Backsight - Enter BS.
- Arc - Enter A to add a curved segment on the polygon boundary.
  - Arc - Enter AR to create a curved segment that extends from the previous segment's end point (or the line's start point) to the new segment's endpoint. Then enter a radius, direction, and size.
  - Tangent arc - Enter T to create a curved segment that extends from the previous segment's endpoint to the new segment's endpoint based on the specified input method:
    Begin tangent (coordinate) - Enter BE to specify a coordinate to create an arc segment that is tangent to the previous segment. If there is no previous segment, a straight segment will be created. Repeat using this option to create an arc segment that is tangent to the straight segment.
    Begin tangent (bearing and arc length) - Enter BEA to specify the bearing, arc length, and elevation for the arc segment.
    Begin tangent (radius and arc length) - Enter RA to specify the radius, arc length, direction, and elevation for the arc segment.
    Begin tangent (delta angle and arc length) - Enter DE to specify the delta angle, arc length, direction, and elevation for the arc segment.
    End tangent - Enter EN to specify a coordinate to create an arc segment that is tangent to the segment that follows it.
    Tangent tangent - Enter TA to specify a coordinate to create an arc segment that is tangent to both the segment that precedes it and the segment that follows it. Note that the length of either the preceding or the following segment will be altered as necessary to facilitate the tangent-to-tangent arc.
  - Smooth curve - Enter SM to create a smooth, spline-curved segment that extends from the previous segment's endpoint (or the line's start point), through an intermediate point on the curve, to a specified segment endpoint.
  - Best fit arc - Enter BF to create a curved segment that extends from the previous segment's endpoint (or the line's start point), through or near one or more intermediate points, to a specified segment endpoint based on a best fit radius point.
  - PI arc - Enter PI to create an arc based on the point of intersection (PI) between two segments. Enter a radius and the coordinate (or point ID) of the PI. Based on the radius, this first segment will include a straight portion tangent to the arc and then the arc. If the radius is too large, the entire segment will be an arc. Then specify the next segment from the PI as usual.
Enter a second coordinate using any of the methods listed above.
If needed, continue entering points to create more segments, or press [Escape] to end the command and return to a blank command prompt. Any time after you have added three or more points, you can enter C to close the line to form a closed shape and end the command..
If needed, continue entering points to create segments, or press [Escape] or [Enter] to end the command and return to a blank command prompt.
Press [Spacebar] to rerun the command.