Editing polylines

Use the PEDIT command to:

  • Convert an entity into a polyline
  • Fit a curve to a polyline
  • Taper a polyline uniformly along its length
  • Reverse the direction of a polyline

Edit a polyline in the Properties panel to:

  • Open or close a polyline
  • Apply a uniform width to a polyline
  • Change the width of a polyline segment
  • Set the linetype mode (PLINEGEN system variable)

Use the edit polyline segments tools in the Quad to:

  • Insert a vertex
  • Add vertices at the start or end
  • Modify the bulge factor of a segment
  • Stretch a vertex or a segment
  • Delete a segment

Use grips editing to:

  • Move a vertex
  • Move a segment

Launching the PEDIT command



Do one of the following:

  • Double-click a polyline.
  • Click the Edit Polyline tool in the Modify menu.
  • Click the Edit Polyline tool on the Modify toolbar.

Converting an entity into a polyline

  1. Launch the PEDIT command.

  2. Select the entity.

    You are prompted: The selected entity is not a polyline. Turn it into one? [Yes-turn into polyline/No-leave as is] <Yes-turn into polyline>:

  3. Press Enter or right-click.

    You are prompted: Edit polyline [Edit vertices/Close/Decurve/Fit/Join/Linetype mode/Reverse direction/Spline/Taper/Width/Undo] <eXit>:

  4. Choose an option or right-click to stop.

Fitting a curve to a polyline

  1. Launch the PEDIT command.
  2. Select the polyline.
  3. Do one of the following:
    • Choose the Fit option.
    • Choose the Spline option.
  4. Press Enter or right-click to conclude the PEDIT command.




    Original polyline After applying Fit After applying Spline
Note:
  • Use the Decurve option to restore the original polyline.
  • The SPLINESEGS (Spline Segments) system variable controls the number of segments (lines or arcs) to be generated for spline-fit polylines.

Tapering a polyline uniformly along its length

  1. Launch the PEDIT command.

  2. Select the polyline.

  3. Choose the Taper option.

    You are prompted: Enter new starting polyline width <current width>:

  4. Type a value.

    You are prompted: Enter new ending polyline width <current width>:

  5. Type a value.

    The polyline is tapered.

  6. Press Enter or right-click to conclude the PEDIT command.

Reversing the direction of a polyline

  1. Launch the PEDIT command.

  2. Select the polyline.

  3. Choose the Reverse direction option.

    The direction is reversed.

  4. Press Enter or right-click to conclude the PEDIT command.

Opening or closing a polyline

  1. Select the polyline.
  2. Select the Closed property under Misc in the Properties panel.
  3. Choose No or Yes.

Or

  1. Double-click the polyline.
  2. Type C to close, or O to open.

Applying a uniform width to a polyline

  1. Select the polyline.
  2. Select the Global width property under Geometry in the Properties panel.
  3. Type the desired width.

Changing the width of a polyline segment

  1. Select the polyline.

  2. Select the Vertex property under Geometry in the Properties panel.

    An X mark is displayed at the start vertex of the polyline.

  3. Click the arrow keys at the right hand side of the vertex property field to set the X marker at the start vertex of the segment you want to change the width of.

  4. Select the Start width property and type the desired width.

  5. Select the End width property and type the desired width.

Setting the linetype mode

The Linetype generation mode (PLINEGEN system variable) controls how a dashed linetype is applied to a multi-segment polyline. When disabled, dashed linetypes are applied per segment: start/end with a dash at each vertex.



PLINEGEN On (left) and Off (right)

  1. Select the Polyline.
  2. Select the Linetype generation property under Misc in the Properties panel.
  3. Select disabled or enabled.

Using the edit polyline segments tools in the Quad

  • Add vertex: adds a vertex to the segment under the cursor.
  • Add vertex at end: adds as a new vertex at the end of the polyline.

    This option is only available if the cursor is on one of the endpoints of a polyline.

  • Adjust bulge: modifies the bulge factor of the segment under the cursor.
  • Delete segment: deletes the segment under the cursor.
  • Stretch segment: moves the segment under the cursor.
  • Stretch vertex: moves the vertex closest to the cursor.
  1. Place the cursor over the segment you want to edit.

    The entire polyline is highlighted.

  2. Hold down the Ctrl key.

    Only the segment under the cursor is highlighted.

    The editing tools are available in the Quad.

  3. Select a tool, then follow the instructions in the Command line.