The next few commands help you create a line using Civil 3D points and/or coordinate inputs. Each command requires you to specify a Civil 3D point, a location in space, or a typed coordinate input. These line tools are useful when your drawing includes Civil 3D points that will serve as a foundation for linework, such as the edge of pavement shots, wetlands lines, or any other points you’d like to connect with a line.
Create Line Command
The Create Line command on the Draw panel of the Home tab of the ribbon issues the standard AutoCAD Line command. It’s equivalent to typing line on the command line or clicking the Line tool on the Draw toolbar.
Create Line By Point # Range Command
The Create Line By Point # Range command prompts you for a point number. You can type in an individual point number, press
↲ , and then type in another point number. A line is drawn connecting those two points. You can also type in a range of points, such as
601-607. Civil 3D draws a line that connects those points in numerical order from
601 to
607 and so on. The line that is created by this method connects point to point regardless of the description or type of point. Since a line is an element that allows each of its end vertices to hold different elevations, in this case each endpoint will inherit the elevation of the COGO point used for its definition unless the AutoCAD OSNAPZ variable is set to
1.
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| Lines created using 601-607 as input |
Alternatively, you can enter a list of points such as
600, 603, 610, 605. Civil 3D draws a line that connects the point numbers in the order of input. This approach is useful when your points were taken in a zigzag pattern (as is commonly the case when cross-sectioning pavement) or when your points appear so far apart in the AutoCAD display that they can’t be readily identified.
 |
| Lines created using 600, 603, 610, 605 as input |
Create Line By Point Object Command
The Create Line By Point Object command prompts you to select a point object. To select a point object, locate the desired start point and click any part of the point. This tool is similar to using the regular Line command and a Node object snap (also known as an Osnap); however, it will work on only Civil 3D points. Each endpoint will inherit the elevation of the point to which it is created unless the AutoCAD OSNAPZ variable is set to
1.
Create Line By Point Name Command
The Create Line By Point Name command prompts you for a point name. A point name is a field in point properties, not unlike the point number or description. The difference between a point name and a point description is that a point name must be unique, just as point numbers are. It is important to note that some survey instruments name points rather than number points as is the norm.
To use this command, enter the names of the points you want to connect with linework. Each endpoint will inherit the elevation of the point used for its definition unless the AutoCAD OSNAPZ variable is set to
1.
Create Line By Northing/Easting and Create Line By Grid Northing/Grid Easting Commands
The Create Line By Northing/Easting command lets you input northing (y) and easting (x) coordinates as endpoints for your linework.
The Create Line By Grid Northing/Grid Easting command also lets you input grid northing (y) and grid easting (x) coordinates as endpoints for your linework but requires that the drawing have an assigned coordinate system; otherwise, the command resumes to be used as a simple line command.
Create Line By Latitude/Longitude Command
The Create Line By Latitude/Longitude command prompts you for geographic coordinates to use as endpoints for your linework. This command also requires that the drawing have an assigned coordinate system. Enter the latitude and longitude as separate entries at the command line using degrees, minutes, and seconds.
