How to Make a Polygon in AutoCAD?

Understanding the Polygon Tool in AutoCAD

Creating polygons in AutoCAD is a straightforward process that can enhance your designs. Follow the detailed steps below to successfully draw a polygon shape.

Step-by-Step Guide to Drawing a Polygon

1. Access the Draw Panel: Begin by navigating to the Home tab. Locate the Draw panel, where you will find the Polygon tool. Click on it to initiate the drawing process.

2. Specify the Number of Sides: Once the Polygon command is active, you will be prompted to enter the desired number of sides. For instance, for a triangle, you’d enter 3, while for a hexagon, you would enter 6.

3. Determine the Center: After specifying the sides, the next step is to set the center point of your polygon. You can click anywhere on your workspace to define this center point.

4. Choose Inscribed or Circumscribed: Now, you will need to decide whether your polygon is inscribed or circumscribed around a circle:

   • Type ‘I’ to create an inscribed polygon, meaning it will fit inside a circle.
   • Type ‘C’ for a circumscribed polygon, which will encompass the circle.

5. Set the Radius: The next prompt will ask you for the radius length. Enter your desired radius value. For precision, this could be set according to your design requirements.

6. Finalize Your Polygon: Press Enter to confirm your choices. The polygon will now be drawn in your workspace based on the parameters you have specified.

Drawing Specific Polygons: Example of a Pentagon

To create a pentagon, you can follow similar steps with a slight modification:

1. Activate the Polygon command by typing ‘POL’ and hitting Enter.
2. Enter ‘5’ for the number of sides.
3. Specify the center location.
4. Choose between inscribed (I) or circumscribed (C).
5. Enter the radius you want for the pentagon, for example, 4 units.
6. Press Enter, and your pentagon will appear in the drawing area.

Converting Lines to Polygons

You may want to convert an existing line or polyline into a polygon. Use the following steps:

1. Ensure that the PROXYGRAPHICS system variable is set to 0.
2. Enter the command mappolylinetopolygon in the command line, followed by hitting Enter.
3. If you have already selected objects, the command will convert these polylines directly. Otherwise, select the polylines you want to convert and press Enter.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I create a hexagon in AutoCAD?

• To draw a hexagon, simply activate the polygon tool, specify 6 for the number of sides, select the center, choose between inscribed or circumscribed, and input the desired radius.

2. What is the command used to draw a polygon?

• You can start the polygon creation process by either selecting the Polygon tool from the Draw panel or typing “POL” into the command line.

3. Can I close a polygon manually during drawing?

• Yes, if you want to close the polygon after placing the last vertex, you can simply type “C” before finalizing the shape to ensure it connects back to the starting point.