Create a Polygon Using the CAD Command Line

Use the Create Polygon command alias on the CAD Command Line to create 2D or 3D polygonal objects. To create a polygon, specify each point in the polygon and how the edge segments between them are formed, as well as color and border line style of the polygon.

Note: The pane-based versions of the CAD Command Line commands may have additional options not offered on the CAD Command Line.
Note: Note: When you process a polygon feature, it is automatically converted to a polygon object with feature properties. For more information, see View and Edit Polygon Feature Properties.

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 polygon from the CAD Command Line:

1. Press [F3] or click the icon on the Status Bar to open the CAD Command Line.
2. Type pol or POL at the command prompt, and press [Enter].
3. If needed, set the Layer, Color, and/or Line style below the command prompt. These properties persist the next time you run the command.
4. (Optional) Before you specify the start point of the polygon, enter a keyword character to toggle this mode:
   • Auto-advance Elevation - Enter EL (at any step) to create all of the polygon border'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.
5. For the Start point, enter a coordinate or point ID, or pick a point in a supported view (Plan, Sheet, or Cutting Plane) for a corner of the polygon. You can also use snaps in the Cutting Plane View.
6. Type an Elevation and press [Enter].
7. 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.
   • 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 based on the radius, direction, and size you specify.
     • 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) - 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) - Specify the bearing, arc length, and elevation for the arc segment.
     • Begin tangent (radius and arc length) - Specify the radius, arc length, direction, and elevation for the arc segment.
     • Begin tangent (delta angle and arc length) - Specify the delta angle, arc length, direction, and elevation for the arc segment.
     • End tangent - Specify a coordinate to create an arc segment that is tangent to the segment that follows it.
     • Tangent tangent - 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. For the first segment that specifies the PI, select PI-Arc in the Segment Type list. 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.

   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. If you select the Specified angle option, you can check the Angle from backsight checkbox to specify that the angle be measured while backsighting the start point for the previous segment.
8. Enter a second coordinate using any of the methods listed above.
9. If needed, continue entering points to create more segments, or press [Escape] to end the command and return to a blank command prompt.
10. Press [Spacebar] to rerun the command.

Related topics

Using the CAD Command Line

Create a Polygon (pane-based command)

CAD Command Line Quick Reference Guide