3D Polyline

Draw a continuous sequence of lines joining points in 3D space as one entity.

A 3D polyline, unlike a lightweight polyline, exists anywhere in a 3D space. The vertices can be edited later by dragging nodes or entering values on the Property Bar to make it fully 3D. This function can also be used to draw a planar polyline.

A polyline can be smoothed using the Properties Bar, such that the vertices become the control points of the quadratic or cubic Bezier spline.

Procedure

In this example, we have drawn the red rectangle to show the current drawing plane and better illustrate how the 3D polyline can be elevated.  The red rectangle is drawn as a lightweight polyline, and if you look at its properties you can see that the X, Y and Z coordinates can't be changed.

1. You are prompted to:

Indicate start position of polyline

You will notice that the 3D polyline, unlike the lightweight polyline, doesn't have the Edge Type option to change the arcs.

2. Position the cursor in the desired position and click or press [Enter]. The line rubberbands.

3. You are prompted to:

4. To give the polyline an elevation, click the Elev. text box, type in the elevation required (80 in this instance) and then press [Enter]. You can see the elevation in the front view.

5. Position the cursor in the desired position and click or press [Enter]. You are prompted to:

Indicate position of next point in polyline (Right-click to end)

6. Continue to enter the points as required.

7. Change the elevation in the Elev. text box if required.

8. The cursor is now adjusted to the new elevation and the line rubberbands.

9. When you have completed entering the vertices, right-click in the drawing area to select an ending option.

• If you select Close, the polyline jumps between the last point entered and the start point. The entity is closed.

• If you select Finish, the polyline ends at the last entered position.

• If you select Cancel Last, the last drawn portion of the polyline is removed and the polyline is drawn from the previously entered point.

• If you select Cancel, all drawn entities are removed and you are able to enter the points from scratch.

• If you select Quit, the drawing function is terminated. Alternatively, press [Esc].

10. The X, Y and Z coordinates can now be manipulated in the Properties Bar.

11. You can select the Vertex you need to manipulate, and then change the X, Y or Z values.

12. The curve can also be changed from straight lines, as shown above, to:

    • 3 point Bezier (Quadratic)

• • 4 point Bezier (Cubic)