Use the Geometry Calculator - Autodesk



Use the Geometry Calculator

By entering a formula on the command line, you can quickly solve a mathematical problem or locate points in your drawing.

By entering a formula on the command line, you can quickly solve a mathematical problem or locate points in your drawing. The CAL command runs the AutoCAD 3D calculator utility to evaluate vector expressions (combining points, vectors, and numbers) and real and integer expressions. The calculator performs standard mathematical functions. It also contains a set of specialized functions for calculations involving points, vectors, and AutoCAD geometry. With the CAL command, you can

Calculate a vector from two points, the length of a vector, a normal vector (perpendicular to the XY plane), or a point on a line.

Calculate a distance, radius, or angle.

Specify a point with the pointing device.

Specify the last-specified point or intersection.

Use object snaps as variables in an expression.

Convert points between a UCS and the WCS.

Filter the X, Y, and Z components of a vector.

Rotate a point around an axis.

Evaluating Expressions

CAL evaluates expressions according to standard mathematical rules of precedence.

| | |

|Operator |Operation |

|( ) |Groups expressions |

|^ |Indicates numeric exponent |

|*, / |Multiplies and divides numbers |

|+, - |Adds and subtracts numbers |

Calculating Points

To calculate a point

You can use CAL whenever you need to calculate a point or a number within an AutoCAD command.

For example, you enter (mid+cen)/2 to specify a point halfway between the midpoint of a line and the center of a circle.

The following example uses CAL as a construction tool. It locates a center point for a new circle, and then calculates one fifth of the radius of an existing circle.

Here is the command line sequence:

Command: circle

Specify center point for circle or [3P/2P/Ttr (tan tan radius)]: 'cal

>> Expression: (mid+cen)/2

>> Select entity for MID snap: Select the notch line (1)

>> Select entity for CEN snap: Select the large circle (2)

Diameter/: 'cal

>> Expression: 1/5*rad

>> Select circle, arc or polyline segment for RAD function: Select the large circle (3)

| | | |

|Shortcut | | |

|functions | | |

| | | |

|Function |Shortcut for |Description |

|dee |dist(end,end) |Distance between two endpoints |

|ille |ill(end,end,end,end) |Intersection of two lines defined by four endpoints |

|mee |(end+end)/2 |Midpoint between two endpoints |

|nee |nor(end,end) |Unit vector in the XY plane and normal to two endpoints |

|vee |vec(end,end) |Vector from two endpoints |

|vee1 |vec1(end,end) |Unit vector from two endpoints |

Formatting Points and Vectors

A point or vector is a set of three real expressions enclosed in brackets ([ ]): [r1,r2,r3]

The notation p1, p2, and so forth designates points. The notation v1, v2, and so forth designates vectors. In drawings, points are displayed as dots, and vectors are displayed as lines with arrows.

CAL supports points expressed in all AutoCAD formats.

| | |

|Point formats | |

| | |

|Coordinate system |Point format |

|Polar |[dist ................
................

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