AutoCAD Tips & Tutorials

Divide up a polyline or spline

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 curvey polyline or spline for which the COPY and ARRAY commands are useless.

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] <Y>: 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] <Y>: 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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