Using calculations in the command line

[Brian]

Hi, I was wondering if there was a way that you could use calculations in the command line when it asks you to enter a value.

Say for instance I wanted to make parallel lines to another line that's 2.672 units away on both side, which is half of 5 7/16. I would type "offset", and then I would enter in 2.672.... The problem is that I got the 2.672 by figuring out what half of that was on my calculator first. I would like to just type "5.4375/2" into the command line when it asks me for the offset distance, but it doesn't recognize that as a number. Is there a way to do this?

Also, I have one more question. Is there a list anywhere that has every single command that you could possibly use in AutoCAD '08 mechanical and an explanation of it? That way I probably wouldn't have to ask so many newbie questions :D .

[GE13579]

Don't worry about asking loads of questions... we all learn from reading through the threads...

As for command list, SLW posted one a while back (I think :? ) , so a search on the site should bring up some results (I think it was for all the shortcuts).

Finally, I can't help on inserting a calc into the command line, only thing I know that might be of some use is that there's a QUICKCALC you can bring up on screen.

[Brian]

Thanks again bud. I'll look around for this command list. I'll try quickcalc too.

[StykFacE]

Hi, I was wondering if there was a way that you could use calculations in the command line when it asks you to enter a value.

Say for instance I wanted to make parallel lines to another line that's 2.672 units away on both side, which is half of 5 7/16. I would type "offset", and then I would enter in 2.672.... The problem is that I got the 2.672 by figuring out what half of that was on my calculator first. I would like to just type "5.4375/2" into the command line when it asks me for the offset distance, but it doesn't recognize that as a number. Is there a way to do this?

Also, I have one more question. Is there a list anywhere that has every single command that you could possibly use in AutoCAD '08 mechanical and an explanation of it? That way I probably wouldn't have to ask so many newbie questions :D .
while in the middle of a command, just type 'CAL and it will pause the command and then you can type in a calculation, and the results will then be used when the command goes back to active.

[Brian]

Nice, that's it! Thanks a lot.

Now I just have to look for this command list.

[riga]

when you are asked to enter a value type 'cal [enter]
>>>>>> Expression: 5.4375/2 [enter]

Look at help online the cal instructions to see what kind of expression you can enter

Ooops, Late because of an annoying collegue who disturbed me with silly questions about our project :D

[eldon]

Just type the expression in the command line using Polish Notation (I think that is what it is called)

(/ 5.4375 2)

and you get an answer of 2.71875 :D

[Brian]

Ooops, Late because of an annoying collegue who disturbed me with silly questions about our project :D

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks.

I'll give that polish notation a shot right now, because that seems even easier.

[mahahaavaaha]

Hi,

as someone once jokingly told me when I asked about commands and where I could find a list: RTFM... Seriously, the best place for a list of Mechanical Commands is the Excellent AutoCAD help-system! From the Help-pulldown choose Mechanical Help Topics. The commands (almost all of them) are listed under Commands and System Variables. Same goes for the Vanilla AutoCAD -commands. There's an excellent list on the web as well at:

http://www.hyperpics.com/commands/

HTH

/Petri

[GE13579]

Cool I've learnt quite a bit from this thread thanks guys :D

[Raggi_Thor]

Just type the expression in the command line using Polish Notation (I think that is what it is called)

(/ 5.4375 2)

and you get an answer of 2.71875 :D

Just remember that
(/ 25 2) -> 12
while
(/ 25.0 2) -> 12.5

[SLW210]

You can also draw your lines 5 7/16" apart, then for the center line type in MTP (midpoint between to points) at the prompt to locate a point.

In your case I use the (/ 5.4375 2) when starting with the center line. Although I would like to start using the 'CALC, just can't remember to use it.

[Brian]

I learned a lot from this thread too, this forum is awsome.

I'm getting used to the 'CAL command now. I dig it.

[BIGAL]

You can do more with cal than just numbers its a geometry calculator

2*rad twice the size of an existing radius

mee the Midpoint of two end points a good one to draw from the centre of a box

check the help