AutoCAD

AutoCAD 2012
2012
and
and
AutoCAD
AutoCAD LT
LT 2012
2012
Essentials
Essentials
By Scott Onstott
Ch 12: Keeping in Control with Constraints

Geometric Constraints

Constraints limit the ability to transform objects

Geometric constraints allow you to force specific 2D objects to be
coincident, collinear, concentric, parallel, perpendicular, horizontal,
vertical, tangent, smooth, symmetric, have equal lengths, or to be fixed
in world space.

Ch 12: Keeping in Control with Constraints

Inferring Geometric Constraints

You can have AutoCAD create constraints as you

draw by toggling on Infer Constraints mode on the
status bar
Inferred constraints never change the form of the
objects you draw; in this sense they are passive
The type of constraints that are applied depend
entirely on what type of objects and forms you draw

Ch 12: Keeping in Control with Constraints

Automatic and Manual Constraints

Use the Auto Constrain tool on the ribbons

Parametric tab to have AutoCAD apply
constraints to objects you select.
The result from using Auto Constrain is
sometimes slightly different than from using
Infer Constraints mode but neither method
changes the form of geometry to maintain
applied constraints
Manually applying constraints by using any
of the tools in the Geometric panel can
change object form to maintain the
constraints applied

Ch 12: Keeping in Control with Constraints

Applying, Hiding, and Removing

Constraints

The order in which you select objects can be

significant when you apply constraints. The
second object will get repositioned in some
cases.
Parallel, collinear, concentric, and equal
constraints always appear in pairs.
Clicking the close box on the constraint bar
hides the bar.
Hiding constraints does not remove them: it
merely reduces visual clutter.
Right click a constraint and choose Delete to
remove it.
Ch 12: Keeping in Control with Constraints

Dimensional Constraints

Draw dimensional constraints much

like dimension objects, with two
constraint points and a dimension
line location
The constraint value is a variable
that you can alter or accept the
default
Every dimensional constraint is an
equation that relates the value to a
variable
Dimensional constraints do not plot

Ch 12: Keeping in Control with Constraints

Dimensional Constraints and

Form

Applying dimensional constraints can

reposition and/or resize objects
In this graphic, d2 and d3 keep the circle
centered within the square
When dimensional constraints contain
other variables an fx appears preceding
the formula to indicate is a calculated
function

Ch 12: Keeping in Control with Constraints

Creating User Parameters

Click the fx button in the Parameters

Manager to create a user parameter
User parameters can hold constants or
values calculated from other dimensional
constraint parameters
In the graphic the perimeter P is
calculated from the length of half of one
of the squares sides

Ch 12: Keeping in Control with Constraints

Applying Geometric and

Dimensional Constraints

You can apply both geometric

and/or dimensional constraints to
locate and size objects
In the graphic, the magenta circle
is held in place by two tangent
(geometric) and sized by one
linear dimensional constraint
Every geometric situation is
different so every combination of
constraints is likely to be unique

Ch 12: Keeping in Control with Constraints

Changing Expressions

Changing a parameters expression

value can have a cascading effect
In the graphic, changing d1s
expression alters all the other
constraints because they are all based
on d1
Interconnecting constraints in this way
can lead to complex geometric and
dimensional behaviors typical of real
world designs and manufactured
objects

Ch 12: Keeping in Control with Constraints