Polygon Tool

Use the Polygon Tool to draw regular Polygon entities. Activate the Polygon Tool from either the Tool Palette, or by selecting Polygon from the Draw menu.

Drawing a Polygon

Polygons can be placed on existing faces or separate from existing geometry. To draw a polygon:

  1. Select the Polygon Tool. The cursor changes to a pencil with a polygon.

  2. Click to place the center point of the polygon.

  3. Move the cursor out from the center point to define the radius of your polygon. As you move the cursor, the radius value is displayed dynamically in the VCB and can be specified by typing in a length value followed by the Enter or Return key.

Note - Press the Esc key at any point during the operation to start over.

  1. Click a second time to finish the polygon. (Alternately, you can click once to set the center of the polygon, and drag outward without releasing the button to set the radius. Release the mouse button to complete the polygon.)

Radius and segment values can be specified using the VCB immediately after a polygon is drawn. See Specifying Precise Polygon Values for more information on setting the radius and segment values with the VCB.

Specifying Precise Polygon Values

The VCB displays the radius after setting the center point of a polygon. Use the VCB to enter an exact radius and number of segments.

Specifying a Radius

The VCB's label indicates "Radius" after you place the center point of the polygon. Type the radius size in the VCB, after placing the center point, and press the Enter or Return key. You can perform this action either during or immediately following the creation of the polygon. For example: 24r or 3'6"r or 5mr.

Specifying the Number of Sides

The VCB's label indicates "Sides" when the Polygon Tool is initially activated. Specify the number of sides in the VCB, and press the Enter or Return key, before clicking to set the center point of the polygon. For example: 10.

You can also specify the number of sides in a polygon immediately after the creation of the polygon. Type the number of sides in the VCB, followed by the letter 's', and press the Enter or Return key. For example: 6s. This number will be applied to any future polygons.

Locking a Polygon to its Current Orientation

Press and hold the Shift key, before you begin drawing a polygon, to lock drawing operation to that orientation.