How To Calculate Perimeter In AutoCAD?

Understanding the Perimeter Calculation in AutoCAD

Calculating the perimeter of objects in AutoCAD can be essential for various design projects. The perimeter refers to the total distance around a shape or object. Whether you are working with simple or complex geometries, AutoCAD provides several methods to find this measurement with ease.

Method 1: Using the Mass Properties Tool

To calculate the perimeter of more complex shapes, you can use the Mass Properties tool following these steps:

1. Convert the selected polyline into a region. You can achieve this by exploding the polyline first.
2. Ensure that the object is selected, then navigate to the “Home” tab on the Ribbon.
3. Click on the “Inquiry” dropdown and select “Mass Properties.” This action will open a dialog box displaying various properties of the selected object.
4. Locate the perimeter value in the listed properties to obtain your measurement.

Method 2: Utilizing the AREA Command

The AREA command is another effective way to find both area and perimeter. Here’s how you can use it:

1. Type AREA in the command line and press Enter.
2. When prompted, select Object by typing O and pressing Enter.
3. Click on the boundary of the closed shape, such as a circle or rectangle.
4. The command line will display the area alongside the perimeter of the selected object instantly.

Method 3: Drawing and Defining a Polygon

For user-defined shapes, you can manually create a polygon to determine its perimeter:

1. Start by initiating the Polygon tool. Type POLYGON in the command line and press Enter.
2. Specify the number of sides for the polygon by entering the desired value and pressing Enter.
3. Click to designate the center point of the polygon on your drawing space.
4. Drag the cursor to define the size of the polygon and click again to complete the shape.
5. Finally, you can utilize the AREA command on this shape to read off the perimeter as described in the previous method.

Defining Irregular Shapes

For calculating the perimeter of irregular shapes, the steps are slightly different:

1. Manually outline your irregular shape using the freehand or polyline drawing tools.
2. Once completed, use the Mass Properties tool, as outlined above, or employ the AREA command.
3. Ensure the shape is closed; otherwise, the perimeter calculation may be inaccurate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I calculate the perimeter for multiple objects at once in AutoCAD?

Yes, you can select multiple objects before using the Mass Properties tool. The perimeter for each selected object will be displayed individually in the results.

What should I do if my shape isn’t closed?

To ensure accurate perimeter calculations, check that your polyline or shape is closed. You can do this by using the “Join” command to close any gaps in the shape.

Can I save the perimeter measurement for future use?

Yes, you can copy the perimeter value from the command line or dialogue box and paste it into a text file or AutoCAD drawing using the MTEXT command for annotations.