How to Draw Lines in BricsCAD

Quick answer: A line consists of a start point and an endpoint. LINE can draw a single line or a connected series of them, but even when connected, each segment remains its own separate Line entity, unlike a polyline, which stays one continuous entity.

Finding the Line Tool

The Draw menu, the Draw toolbar, the Draw ribbon panel, or the Draw tab of the No Selection Quad.

Drawing Lines: General Procedure

1. Launch LINE. You’re prompted for the start of the line.
2. Specify the start point. The line displays dynamically, and you’re prompted for an end point (or to choose Angle, Length, Follow, or Undo).
3. Specify the end point. That segment is created, and a new one displays dynamically as you’re prompted for the next end point.
4. Specify another end point. The same cycle continues, now with a Close option available too.
5. Either keep specifying end points for more segments, choose Close to connect back to the very first line’s start point, or press Enter or right-click to stop.

Specifying Angle and Length

Two ways: use the Angle and Length command options directly, or use dynamic dimensions (with DYNDIVIS set to 1 or 2), pressing Tab to switch between the Angle and Length fields as you draw.

Drawing at an Angle Relative to Another Entity

1. Right-click the DUCS field in the Status Bar and choose “DUCS on other entities,” which sets the Enable for 2D Entities option of UCSDETECT.
2. Launch LINE.
3. Hover over a reference line or linear polyline segment. A temporary UCS aligns with it, and the UCS icon appears at the nearest midpoint or endpoint of whatever’s under the cursor.
4. Press Shift to lock that temporary UCS in place.
5. Specify the start point of your new line. Angles are now measured relative to the reference line or segment you locked onto, rather than the WCS.

The WCS is restored automatically once you finish the LINE command.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I draw several connected line segments, are they one entity or several? Several. Each segment is its own separate Line entity, even when drawn as a connected series. Use PLINE instead if you want one continuous entity.

How do I close a series of connected lines back to where I started? Choose the Close option when prompted for the next end point; it connects back to the very first line’s start point.

Can I draw a line at an angle relative to an existing line instead of the WCS? Yes, hover over the reference line with DUCS on other entities enabled, then hold Shift to lock the temporary UCS before specifying your start point.

How do I enter an exact length and angle while drawing a line? Either type them directly using the Angle and Length command options, or use dynamic dimensions with DYNDIVIS set to 1 or 2, pressing Tab to switch between the two fields.