How to Calculate Area in AutoCAD?

Understanding Area Calculation in AutoCAD

Overview of Area Calculation

Calculating area in AutoCAD involves utilizing built-in commands to derive measurements accurately from your designs. Whether you want the area of a specific shape or multiple areas, AutoCAD offers tools to streamline this process.

Step 1: Access the Area Command

To begin calculating an area, activate the Area command. You can do this by either typing AREA directly into the Command Line at the top of the workspace or selecting it from the menu. This option provides an efficient way to obtain both area and perimeter measurements.

Step 2: Selecting Multiple Areas

After initiating the Area command, you will need to choose the method to calculate your areas:

1. Add Area: If you want to measure multiple areas collectively, opt for the “Add area” feature.
2. Object Selection: Click on the “Object” option. This allows you to select existing shapes or lines in your drawing.

As you select each object, AutoCAD highlights it and provides real-time feedback by displaying the individual areas. At the conclusion of your selection, the total area will be presented prominently.

Step 3: Measuring Area by Points

For calculating the area of irregular shapes:

1. Start the Area command as previously mentioned.
2. Use the mouse cursor to click on the corners of the shape you are measuring. Following the outline of the shape, ensure to click each vertex sequentially.
3. To complete the shape, click once more on the starting point. AutoCAD will then calculate and display the area in square units in the Command Line.

Step 4: Using BOUNDARY for Complex Objects

For calculating the area bounded by multiple entities or complex designs:

1. Execute the BOUNDARY command to create a closed polyline or region that encompasses the desired area.
2. Once the boundary is established, you can find the area by checking the Properties palette or using the LIST command. This will yield details including both area and perimeter measurements.

Step 5: Finding Perimeter Measurements

If you also need to determine the perimeter of a shape, convert your selected polyline into a region by exploding it:

1. Choose the polyline, then select the Explode command.
2. After the transformation to a region, navigate to Tools > Inquiry > Mass Properties. This step provides a full report detailing the perimeter alongside other properties like area.

Additional Area Measurements in Different Units

To calculate dimensions in square meters or other metrics:

1. Simply multiply the length and width together, ensuring that both measurements are in the same unit of measurement.
2. AutoCAD can be set to display these calculations in a preferred metric by adjusting the settings in the properties ribbon, which allows for unit conversion.

FAQ

What units does AutoCAD use to measure area by default?
AutoCAD typically measures area in square millimeters (sq/mm), although users can adjust settings to view measurements in other units such as square meters (sq/m) or square feet (sq ft).

Can I save multiple area calculations for future reference?
Yes, you can record multiple area measurements by keeping a log of the calculated results from the Command Line or exporting your drawing to a spreadsheet software.

Is there a simpler way to generate dimensions in AutoCAD?
AutoCAD offers several dimensioning commands, such as DIM for automatic dimension creation, and you can customize these based on the object type you are measuring for increased efficiency.