Ever need to place an object evenly along a polyline or spline? For example, you may want to divide a plat into equal sections or 40′ sections. For whatever reason, you can do this easily using the DIVIDE or MEASURE command.
These commands are especially useful when your object is a curvy polyline or spline for which the COPY and ARRAY commands are useless. (Update: Starting with AutoCAD 2012, you can array along a path, including a polyline or spline.)
By default, these commands place point objects, but they can also place a block of your choice. Even better, you can rotate the block along the polyline or spline if you want.
If you want to place a point object, first set a point style that you can see. If you want to place a block, create the block. If you use a block, be sure that the block’s insertion point is at the center of the block, so that the block will be nicely centered on your polyline or spline.
The DIVIDE command places a point object or block evenly along your object, dividing it into equal portions (but it doesn’t actually break the object or affect it in any way.) To use the DIVIDE command, follow these steps:
1. Start the DIVIDE command.
2. At the Select object to divide: prompt, chosoe the object along which you want to place the points or blocks.
3. At the Enter the number of segments or [Block]: prompt, enter the number of segments you want to create, or enter b to use the Block option.
4. If you use the Block option, at the Enter name of block to insert: prompt, type the block’s name. At the Align block with object? [Yes/No] : prompt, enter y or n. Then the Enter the number of segments: prompt returns. Specify a number.
AutoCAD places the points or blocks evenly spaced along your object..
The MEASURE command is similar to the DIVIDE command, but places the points or blocks at a spacing your specify. Here’s how to use it:
1. Start the MEASURE command.
2. At the Select object to measure: prompt, select the object along which you want to place the points or blocks.
3. At the Specify length of segment or [Block]: prompt, specify the distance between points or enter b to use the Block option.
4. If you use the Block option, at the Enter name of block to insert: prompt, type the block’s name. At the Align block with object? [Yes/No] : prompt, enter y or n. Then the Specify length of segment: prompt returns. Specify a spacing.
AutoCAD places the points or blocks spaced at the distance you specified..
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I am trying to use the divide command on a closed polyline to place a simple block along its path. The command is working except that the blocks are not evenly spaced with some of the blocks overlapping.
The object I am trying to divide is a series of pline arcs and lines that form the outline (perimeter) of an airplane fuselage (fuse former). The division and blocks will be the stringer locations. Each former is a slightly different size but each will have the same number of stringers spaced wider on the larger formers, and narrow on the smaller ones. I would think that the divide command would evenly space their locations but as I said, the spacing is way off. I tried the measure command with a guessed spacing and one side of the former was spaced as indicated but the other side had as many as 4 blocks overlapping each other. What is going on?
i need spacing between segments.i am new to autocad.i am using autocad 2004.is there anybody to help me.thanks in advance
I fail to type a right name when the block name is asked. Could you please tell me what to type as block name while dividing a polyline or any other object in autocad 2007.
The block has to exist in the drawing. So create the block first.
It worked. Thank you so much mam.
the only thing to ask you about this command is, whenever I divide an object made of poly line (open or closed) into segments it displays the similar shapes as the object (on the dividing points) instead of blocks on the boundary of the object.please tell me what to select in the block list in pick points,and properties of the object in quick select while making a block list.Is it possible to make a block list for ever. Or should I make it every time I want to divide an object.
You can save a block in a template and start drawings from that template. You can also save it in a drawing and import it from that drawing whenever you need it with the DesignCenter or a Tool Palette.
These might help: http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/acadblog/write-blocks-to-save-them-as-separate-files/
http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/acadblog/change-the-scale-of-blocks-and-hatches-in-tool-palettes/
I got it…thanks.. A LOT…
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regarding multicolored line…in which I first loaded MLSTYLE having name & description MULTICOLOREDLINE,two colors red & green, offset 0, linetype DASHED2…but I am confused about the CAPS, ANGLE & FILL….I clicked in START & END boxes..and set angle 90,45 or any other 2-digit angle up to 170…and always found a perpendicular line….It is very clear to me as long as I choose an angle value then it is always a perpendicular line….I tried to set the angle 0 & 180…but it didn’t work…if offset to all lines is 0 then it shows a singlecoloredline…so I had to set one offset 0.5…and it showed a rectangular figure with two colored perpendicular lines on start, mid point & end. please tell me what to select in CAPS…and what about the AGNLE & FILL.
I did used the DIVIDE command to devide one line in to 5. There is a cross sign and I would like to put circle on that cross but there is no guide, there is OSNAP is on. Ho to get the circle on the cross?
DDPTYPE might be what you’re looking for. It specifies the type of point object.
you did not reply the question regarding multicoloured line