topic Re: Get Dimensions of a Rectangle in AutoCAD Map 3D Forum

Get Dimensions of a Rectangle

allelopath — Fri, 19 May 2023 15:10:02 GMT

Referring to the attached dwg, I drew a Rectangle. When I click to see the Properties I don't see and width and height.

Is is possible to see these in the properties?

Re: Get Dimensions of a Rectangle

ChicagoLooper — Sat, 20 May 2023 02:40:56 GMT

<<....I drew a Rectangle. When I click to see the Properties I don't see and width and height.....>>

If you select a 'rectangle' and view its properties, AutoCAD and won't give you the length, width or height. Although it might look like, walk like and even smell like a rectangle, it's really a closed polyline. It doesn't matter if the closed polygon is a square, rectangle, triangle, pentagon, or hexagon, the Properties Palette will only provide the area 'inside' the polygon and the perimeter length.

Your uploaded drawing also contained a 3D solid created using the BOX command and I'm guessing it's related to your rectangle despite the objects being located far apart. Since your box is 3-dimensional, the Properties Palette will display length, width and height when the solid is selected.

When using the box command, keep your eye on the command line. It provides prompts, in the form of instructions and questions, that you must follow or answer as you go along. Answer them correctly and you'll be fine. If you skip or ignore them, your box might get messed up or the command may fail.

As an alternative to using the BOX command, use the EXTRUDE command. (Extrude will give a 2D object height or Z-value, and thereby make it 3D.) First draw a rectangle to your desired dimensions and in the desired location. Next, invoke EXTRUDE using the rectangle as the object. Typically, a positive number extrudes the rectangle up while a negative number extrudes its down.

Re: Get Dimensions of a Rectangle

allelopath — Sat, 20 May 2023 13:39:25 GMT

Thanks for your response. The 3D solid is ab artifact. I created the file that I attached by creating the "closed polyline" and deleting everything else in the drawing and saving it as another file. Except that I missed the 3D solid.

The closed polyline was created by clicking on the rectangle shape icon in the Draw panel which uses the Rectangle command so you can see how I might have thought it was indeed a rectangle. 🙂 From what you are saying, after one draws the rectangle, Autocad is unable to distinguish between it and any other type of closed polyline.

Re: Get Dimensions of a Rectangle

ChicagoLooper — Sat, 20 May 2023 14:20:41 GMT

@allelopath

RECTANGLE vs. PLINE

If you use the RECTANGLE command, the result will be a closed polyline.

However, if you draw a rectangle using the polyline (PLINE) command, then it may, or may not, result in a closed polyline.

When using the PLINE command you must enter 'C' on command line when drawing the fourth side so the rectangle will close. If you don't, and simply click the beginning point, then it won't be closed. It'll be a polyline that appears to be closed but isn't. To verify, selecting it=>Properties Palette=>Scroll to bottom=>Misc Section=>Closed=>YES? or NO?

Whether using RECTANGLE or PLINE command, keep your eye on the command line.