draw arrows

[thaKing]

brand new user to CADD..using AutoCADD 2006...

ok, this has got to be easy...a co-worker once showed me how to draw arrows for directional purposes on our drawings (essentially maps), but i can't remember how she showed me and she is no longer here. how do i draw arrows?

[Cad64]

Try using the LEADER command.

You can also create arrows using the PLINE command and specify your starting width as 0 and your ending width as 1 and then drag it out so the proportions look right.

[thaKing]

when i tried the LEADER command it would only draw straight lines and 90 degree angles...i was unable to make the triangle portion of my arrow...is there a setting i need to change or something else in the command i need to input?

[Cad64]

You have to set up a dimension style and specify the type of arrowhead you want to use as well as what size you want the arrowhead to be.

[Lazer]

hit F8

[thaKing]

ok, Cad64 yours was a little more complicated and since i don't know where to create those settings i went with deelay's suggestion. (sorry, i have 0, zilch, nada experience with CADD - this was dropped in my lap)...

deelay: i hit F8 and that worked to create my angles...quick questions, after it is drawn on the screen, the line attached to the cursor keeps following me and i want it to stop once i create the arrow. also, after it is created is there an easy way to fill it in with color?

[Jamalama]

to fill the arrowhead go to the draw pulldown menu>hatch>make sure the pattern is solid and click on addick points> click on the interior of the arrowhead

[thaKing]

i'll give that a try first thing Monday...thanks for the suggestion...

also, how do i make sure the pattern is solid? i try my best, but how do i make sure?

[Cad64]

You cannot fill the leader arrowhead with a hatch pattern. You need to create a dimstyle as I suggested before.

Type DIMSTYLE at the command prompt to open the Dimension Style Manager. The current dimstyle will be highlighted, so click the New button to create a new dimension style. You will now be allowed to name the new dimstyle, so name it something like Dimleader or whatever and click Continue. Now select the "Symbols and Arrows" tab and change the Leader setting to Closed Filled. You can also change the Arrow Size here if you need to. Click Ok to save your changes. Now make sure your new dimstyle is highlighted and click the Set Current button and then close the Manager.

If you just want to draw a solid filled arrow with a tail and nothing else, start the LEADER command and then type S for Settings. This will open the "Leader Settings" dialog. On the Annotation tab, under "Annotation Type", select None. On the Leader Line and Arrow tab, under "Number of Points", set the maximum to 2. Now click ok to exit the Leader Settings dialog.

Now go ahead and draw a leader. Click once to start the leader and a second time to end the leader. You should get a solid filled arrowhead with a tail and nothing else.

[zars]

He also can draw the line and the arrowhead with polyline or line command (so far I understand he already did it) and then he can fill it with hatch command, to make sure the pattern is solid, try with "bhatch" or simply type in "bh" and it'll show you the patterns, then just click on pick points and select a point inside your arrowhead and it should be enough.