AutoCAD Can’t Join? | TutoCAD

Understanding Why You Can’t Join Objects in AutoCAD

When working in AutoCAD, users may encounter issues when trying to join various objects, particularly polylines. There are specific reasons this can happen, often related to elevation differences, gaps, or connection points not being aligned properly.

Common Causes for Join Issues

1. Elevation Discrepancies: One primary reason is that the objects in question may exist on different planes or elevations. If you check the properties of your lines or polylines, you’ll find attributes indicating their “Start Z,” “End Z,” or overall elevation values. It’s crucial to ensure that these values are consistent for the objects you want to join.

2. Gaps Between Objects: If there are small gaps between your lines or polylines, AutoCAD may not recognize them as being touchable. Use the UNITS command and increase the precision settings to the maximum to verify this issue.

3. Zero-Length Segments: For polylines, ensure that they do not have any zero-length segments. Each segment should be connected properly with a non-zero length.

Steps to Join Polylines and Lines in AutoCAD

Aligning Elevations

1. Select the polylines you want to join.
2. Open the Properties palette (type PROPERTIES and press Enter).
3. Check and modify the “Elevation” value to make them consistent across all selected objects.

Using the PEDIT Command

1. Initiate the PEDIT command by typing PEDIT in the command line.
2. Choose the Multiple option and select all objects you want to join.
3. If prompted, confirm by typing “Y” to convert them if necessary.

Employing Fuzz Join Feature

1. When polylines do not touch each other, you can use the fuzz join feature.
2. Type PE, press Enter, then type M and press Enter again to initiate the Multiple option.
3. Select the objects you wish to join and press Enter.
4. If a message suggesting conversion appears, type “Y” to accept.

Closing Gaps Between Lines

If your lines or shapes have small gaps preventing them from joining, follow these steps:

1. Access the PEDIT command.
2. Select the objects you wish to join, then choose the Join option.
3. When prompted to enter a fuzz distance, set a value larger than the gap that needs to be closed.

Flattening Objects in AutoCAD

If your objects are in different elevations and you want to bring them all to a single plane:

1. Disable hatch layers if any are active to avoid selection interference.
2. Type FLATTEN at the command line and select the objects you want to flatten.
3. Press Enter, and when asked to remove hidden lines, respond with “N” to retain them.

Understanding Fuzz Distance

The fuzz distance is a measurement that determines how far AutoCAD should search for a connection point when objects are not touching. Adjusting this value can help in joining disparate lines or polylines by allowing AutoCAD to extend or fill gaps as needed.

Checking Polylines for Closure

To verify if a polyline is closed:

1. Click on the polyline and open the Properties palette.
2. Look for the property that indicates “Closed.”
3. Change the setting to “Yes” to close the polyline if necessary.

Common Questions

1. What should I do if AutoCAD won’t snap to certain points?
Ensure that object snaps (osnaps) are enabled by pressing F3 and confirm that your objects share the same elevation. You can also check the AUTOSNAP variable to ensure it has the correct settings.

2. How can I offset a polyline that seems non-compliant?
First, inspect the polyline for any zero-length segments. If present, you will need to correct these before you can proceed to offset the polyline.

3. What is the purpose of the Explode command?
The Explode command allows you to decompose complex objects like blocks and polylines into their individual components, enabling easier modification. Be mindful that some attributes may change post-explosion.