Creating a Polygon in AutoCAD
Designing polygons in AutoCAD is a fundamental skill that can be accomplished using several methods. Below is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to create different types of polygons in AutoCAD 2025.
Method 1: Using the Polygon Command
-
Activate the Command: Type
POL
into the command line, then press Enter. This initiates the polygon drawing tool. -
Define Sides: The command will prompt you to specify the number of sides for the polygon. For a pentagon, enter
5
and press Enter. -
Choose Polygon Center: Click anywhere in the workspace to specify the center point of the polygon. This will serve as the reference from which your shape will be created.
-
Select Inscribed or Circumscribed: You have the option to draw the polygon inscribed (inside a circle) or circumscribed (outside a circle):
- Type
I
for inscribed orC
for circumscribed, then press Enter.
- Type
-
Set the Radius: Input a value to define the radius of your polygon. For example, entering
4
will set the radius to 4 units. - Finalize the Drawing: After specifying the radius, your polygon will be completed in the workspace.
Method 2: Drawing from the Draw Panel
-
Access the Home Tab: Navigate to the Home tab located at the top of your AutoCAD interface.
-
Locate the Draw Panel: Find the Draw panel, which houses various drawing tools.
-
Select the Polygon Tool: Click on the Polygon icon to activate the drawing command.
-
Specify Number of Sides: Enter the desired number of sides for your polygon and press Enter.
-
Indicate the Center: Click on the workspace to place the center point for your polygon.
-
Choose Inscription or Circumscription Option: Decide if you want the polygon inscribed or circumscribed by entering
i
orc
. - Enter Radius: Specify the radius to define the size of your polygon, then press Enter.
Method 3: Creating Irregular Polygons
-
Initiate the MPOLYGON Command: For irregular shapes, you can use the
MPOLYGON
command. Access it through the Draw panel or typeMPOLYGON
in the command line. -
Number of Sides: Enter an integer to indicate how many sides you would like your polygon to have.
-
Choose the Starting Point: Click on the workspace to mark the starting point for your polygon.
-
Define Each Vertex: Move your cursor to define additional corners of the polygon. Click each time to establish a vertex until you complete the shape.
- Close the Polygon: Double-click the starting point or press Enter to close the polygon.
FAQs
Q1: What is the difference between inscribed and circumscribed polygons in AutoCAD?
Inscribed polygons fit within a circle, touching the circle at the vertices, while circumscribed polygons are drawn outside the circle, touching the circle only at the midpoint of each side.
Q2: Is there a shortcut key for drawing a polygon quickly in AutoCAD?
Yes, you can type POL
into the command line as a shortcut, which is faster than navigating through the Draw panel.
Q3: Can I draw polygons with more than 5 sides in AutoCAD?
Absolutely. You can draw polygons with any number of sides by simply entering the desired integer when prompted for the number of sides, whether it’s a hexagon with 6 sides or an octagon with 8.