Adding two lines in AutoCAD can refer to creating two distinct, separate lines or drawing a single object composed of two parallel lines using the Multiline command.
Creating Two Parallel Lines Using the MULTILINE Command
The most common way to "add two lines" simultaneously as a single drafting object is by using the MULTILINE command (MLINE). This command allows you to draw multiple parallel lines (often two by default) as a single entity.
According to the provided information, you should "Start drawing with MULTILINE command, specifying number of lines you want to create in advance (such as 2)". While the "specifying number of lines" is handled through Multiline Styles, the core idea is to begin the drawing process with the MLINE command to create the desired number of lines together.
Here's how you typically use the MLINE command to draw two parallel lines:
- Start the Command: Type
MLINEorMLin the command line and press Enter. - Set Options: Before picking points, you can adjust settings like Justification (how the line is drawn relative to your cursor, e.g., Top, Zero, Bottom), Scale (distance between the parallel lines), and Style (defines properties, including the number of lines - the Standard style typically creates two lines). For two lines, the default settings often suffice.
- Specify Start Point: Click in the drawing area or type coordinates to define the beginning of your multiline.
- Specify Next Point: Click or type coordinates for the next point. AutoCAD will draw the multiline segment with two parallel lines.
- Continue Drawing: Keep clicking points to add more segments to the multiline.
- End Command: Press Enter or Spacebar to finish the command, or type
Cand Enter to close the multiline into a loop.
The resulting object is a single multiline entity, even though it appears as two parallel lines. This is efficient for drawing walls or double lines representing boundaries.
Customizing Multilines
The appearance and number of lines in a multiline are controlled by its Multiline Style. You can manage these styles using the MLINESTYLE command. A style defines properties such as:
- Number of parallel lines (elements)
- Offset distance for each line
- Color and Linetype for each line
- Caps (start and end shapes)
- Background fill
By default, the "Standard" style in AutoCAD includes two parallel lines.
Drawing Two Separate Lines
Alternatively, if "add two lines" simply means drawing two distinct linear entities that are not connected as a single multiline object, you would use the standard LINE command multiple times.
- Start the LINE Command: Type
LINEorLin the command line and press Enter. - Draw the First Line: Specify the start and end points for your first line.
- End Command: Press Enter or Spacebar to finish the first line.
- Start the LINE Command Again: Type
LINEorLand press Enter. - Draw the Second Line: Specify the start and end points for your second line.
- End Command: Press Enter or Spacebar to finish the second line.
You now have two separate LINE objects in your drawing.
Summary: Multiline vs. Separate Lines
| Feature | MULTILINE Command (MLINE) |
LINE Command (LINE) (used twice) |
|---|---|---|
| Result | Single object composed of parallel lines | Two separate, independent line objects |
| Purpose | Efficiently draw parallel elements (e.g., walls) | Draw distinct single lines |
| Control | Controlled by Multiline Style (number, offset) | Each line has independent properties |
| Modification | Modified as a single entity | Modified individually |
| Ref. Relevance | Directly supported by provided reference | General AutoCAD drawing method |
Understanding whether you need a single object of parallel lines or two independent lines will determine which method you choose. For creating two parallel lines together as one item, the MULTILINE command is the appropriate tool, initiated by "Start drawing with MULTILINE command...".
