1. Introduction to Multilines
Sacramento City College
Engineering Design Technology
Introduction to Multilines

2. Introduction to Multilines
Drawing Multilines
A multiline consists of between 1 and 16 parallel lines that act as one line.
The lines in the set of multilines are called elements.
Introduction to Multilines

3. Introduction to Multilines
Drawing Multilines
Multilines are commonly used for drawing
Roads
Walls of buildings for architectural plans.
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Drawing Multilines
The MLINE command is accessed by:
Picking the Multiline button from the Draw toolbar OR
Picking Multiline in the Draw pull-down menu
Typing ML or MLINE at the Command: prompt.
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Drawing Multilines
Three commands relate to multilines:
MLINE. (ML)
MLSTYLE.
MLEDIT.
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Drawing Multilines
The MLSTYLE command
Allows you to create multilines.
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Drawing Multilines
The default multi-line style has:
Two elements (lines).
Continuous line type.
Is called STANDARD.
Introduction to Multilines

8. Multiline Justification
Justification determines how the resulting lines are offset.
Introduction to Multilines

9. Multiline Justification
Can be specified only once during a single MLINE command sequence and
Is based on a counterclockwise rotation direction.
Introduction to Multilines

10. Multiline Justification
The justification options are
Top
Zero
Bottom
TOP is the default
The current value remains in effect until changed.
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Top Justification
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Zero Justification
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Bottom Justification
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14. Multiline Justification
To change the justification
Enter J at the first prompt
Enter the first letter of the desired justification
Top
Zero
Bottom
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15. Multiline Justification
The justification setting is stored in the AutoCAD CMLJUST system variable.
Introduction to Multilines

16. Adjusting the Multiline Scale
The Scale option controls the multiplier for the offset values specified in the MLSTYLE command.
The multiplier is stored in the CMLSCALE system variable.
Introduction to Multilines

17. Adjusting the Multiline Scale
When the scale is 1, the distance between multiline elements is equal to 1 times the offset distance.
If the offset distance is 0.5, the distance between multiline elements is 0.5 when the multiline scale is 1.
If the multiline scale is 2, the distance between multiline elements is 1 (0.5 x 2).
Introduction to Multilines

18. Adjusting the Multiline Scale
For zero justification,
The multiline elements are offset 0.5 units on either side of the definition points picked.
Example: If the multiline scale is 2
Top and Bottom justification = 2 units offset
Zero justification = 1 unit and -1 unit offset.
Introduction to Multilines

19. Setting Your Own Multiline Style
ML Command Style option
Allows you to specify the current multiline style.
The style must be saved before it can be accessed.
Introduction to Multilines

20. Setting Your Own Multiline Style
Using saved Multiline styles
Type: ML
Type: ST - to access the style option,
Type the known multiline style name.
A “?” lists all of the names of the multiline styles.
Typing a name of a multiline style that does not exist, the Load multiline style from file dialog box is displayed
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22. Setting Your Own Multiline Style
Multilines are stored in the acad.mln file library.
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25. Setting Your Own Multiline Style
You can load the multiline style from another file (not acad.lin).
Custom multilines can be purchased for AutoCAD.
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Defining Multilines
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Multiline Styles
Use the MLSTYLE command to define multilines.
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Multiline Styles
The MLSTYLE command can be accessed by:
Picking the Multiline Style entry in the Format pull-down menu OR
Typing MLSTYLE at the Command: prompt.
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Multiline Styles
The Multiline options are:
Current:
Name:
Description:
Load... Button:
Save... button.
Add button.
Rename button.
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Multiline Styles
Current: Text box.
The Current: text box makes the specified multiline style current.
Specifying a different style changes the setting of the CMLSTYLE system variable.
Until you create a multiline style, the only style available is STANDARD.
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Multiline Styles
Name:Text box.
This text box is used to enter the name for a new style.
Description: Text box.
An optional description of your multiline style may be entered in this text box.
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Multiline Styles
Load... button.
This button allows you to load a multiline style from an external multiline definition file.
Save... button.
The Save... button is used to save a style to a file.
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Multiline Styles
Add button.
Pick the Add button after entering a multiline style name in the Name: text box.
This adds the multiline style name to the list of defined styles.
Rename button.
Pick this button to rename a multiline style.
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Creating A Multiline
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39. Element Properties Dialog Box
Create a new multiline style by
1. MLStyle
2. Type name of new multiline
“NewExample”
3. Click ADD
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40. Multiline Element Properties
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42. Element Properties Dialog Box
Elements Properties Dialog Box contains:
Elements: area.
Add button.
Delete button.
Offset text box.
Color... button.
Linetype... button.
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43. Element Properties Dialog Box
Elements: area.
Displays the current:
Offset.
Color
Linetype settings
for each multiline element.
Picking one of the elements highlights the items for modification.
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45. Element Properties Dialog Box
Add button.
Add a new element to the multiline definition.
Delete button.
Deletes a highlighted item in the Elements: area.
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48. Element Properties Dialog Box
Offset text box.
Enter either a positive or negative offset value for a highlighted element.
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50. Element Properties Dialog Box
Color... button.
Accesses the Select Color dialog box.
Pick the color you wish to assign to the highlighted element.
After picking OK, the new color is displayed in the image tile next to the Color... button.
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53. Element Properties Dialog Box
Linetype... button.
Pick the desired linetype from the Loaded Linetypes list.
Linetypes must be loaded before they can be used.
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61. Multiline Properties Options
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62. Multiline Properties Dialog Box
The Multiline Properties dialog box offers additional options for customizing multiline styles.
Access by:
Picking the Multiline Properties... button in the Multiline Styles dialog box.
See Figure
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65. Multiline Properties Dialog Box
You can add the following to multi-line elements
Caps.
Segment joints.
Background color.
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66. Multiline Properties Dialog Box
Joints
Are lines that
connect the vertices of adjacent multiline elements.
Joints are also called miters.
Display joints check box.
This check box turns the display of joints on and off.
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69. Multiline Properties Dialog Box
Caps
Are lines that
Connect the vertices of the beginning or ending points of the multiline elements.
Caps area.
Controls the placement of caps on multilines.
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74. Multiline Properties Dialog Box
Caps can be set at the
Start points
Endpoints
Both.
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75. Multiline Properties Dialog Box
Arcs can also be specified.
Arcs can be set to connect the
Ends of the outermost elements only
Pairs of interior elements
Both the outer and interior elements.
The arcs are drawn tangent to the elements they connect.
Specifying outermost arcs to be drawn requires at least two multiline elements.
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83. Multiline Properties Dialog Box
Angle: Text Box
Allows you to change the angle of the caps relative to the direction of the multiline elements.
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86. Multiline Properties Dialog Box
Fill area.
If the check box labeled On is activated, the multiline is filled with a solid fill pattern in the color specified.
Pick this check box to activate the Color... button.
You can leave the color set to BYLAYER or change it by picking the Color... button.
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Multiline Styles
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Multiline Styles
MLSTYLE command
Displays the Multiline Styles dialog box.
Use this box to define, edit, and save multiline styles.
Styles can be saved to an external file so they can be used in other drawings.
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Editing Multilines
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Editing Multilines
The MLEDIT command permits limited editing operations for multiline objects.
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Editing Multilines
Access this command by
Picking Multiline... from the Modify pull-down menu OR
Entering MLEDIT at the Command: prompt
Picking the Edit Multiline button in the Modify toolbar.
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Editing Multilines
The Multiline Edit Tools dialog box is displayed.
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Editing Multilines
The image buttons give you an example of what to expect when using each editing option.
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100. Editing Intersections
Pick a button to create the type of intersection shown.
The name of the MLEDIT option is displayed in the lower left comer of the dialog box when you pick an image button.
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101. Editing Intersections
Closed Cross.
The first multiline selected is called the background. It remains unchanged.
The second multiline selected is called the foreground. It remains unchanged.
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102. Editing Intersections
Note that the trimming is apparent, not actual. ( ! )
This means that the line visibility of the background multiline is changed, but it is still one multiline.
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104. Editing Intersections
U to undo the intersection you have just made.
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105. Editing Intersections
Cross editing options:
Closed Cross.
Open Cross.
Merged Cross.
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Editing Tees
Other Tee editing options:
Closed Tee
Open Tee.
Merged Tee.
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109. Editing Intersections
Other options:
Corner Joint.
Add Vertex.
Delete Vertex.
Cut Single.
Cut All.
Weld All.
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111. Editing Intersections
Corner Joint.
Allows you to create a corner joint between two multilines.
The first multiline is trimmed or extended to its intersection with the second multiline.
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113. Editing Intersections
Add Vertex.
Adds a vertex to an existing multiline at the location you pick.
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114. Editing Intersections
Add Vertex
The command sequence differs slightly from the sequences used with the other MLEDIT options.
After you select the Add Vertex option and pick OK, you are prompted with the following:
Select mline: (pick a location on the multilinefor the new vertex)
Select mline or [Undo]: j
Command:
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115. Editing Intersections
Delete Vertex.
The Delete Vertex option allows you to remove a vertex from an existing multiline.
The vertex closest to the location you pick is deleted.
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