Expand WelcomeWelcome
Expand The User InterfaceThe User Interface
Expand Getting StartedGetting Started
Expand Drawing with PrecisionDrawing with Precision
Expand Working with Drawing FilesWorking with Drawing Files
Expand Viewing the DrawingViewing the Drawing
Expand 3D Viewing and Presentation3D Viewing and Presentation
Expand Formatting the DrawingFormatting the Drawing
Expand Drawing EntitiesDrawing Entities
Expand Modifying EntitiesModifying Entities
Expand Working with Blocks, BlockAttributes, EntityGroups, and ReferencesWorking with Blocks, BlockAttributes, EntityGroups, and References
Expand Working with Hatches, Color Fills, Text, and TablesWorking with Hatches, Color Fills, Text, and Tables
Expand Creating and Modifying DimensionsCreating and Modifying Dimensions
Expand Creating and Modifying 3D EntitiesCreating and Modifying 3D Entities
Expand Creating Layout Sheets and Printing DrawingsCreating Layout Sheets and Printing Drawings
Expand Arranging Drawing WindowsArranging Drawing Windows
Expand CustomizingCustomizing
Expand Command ReferenceCommand Reference
Expand Add-InsAdd-Ins
Expand DraftSight ProfessionalDraftSight Professional
Expand DraftSight ConnectedDraftSight Connected
Expand DraftSight PremiumDraftSight Premium
Collapse DraftSight MechanicalDraftSight Mechanical
Expand DraftSight Installation Administration and LicensingDraftSight Installation Administration and Licensing
Hide Table of Contents

Creating Construction Lines

Construction lines extend indefinitely in both directions from an origin. Use Construction lines to create frameworks or grids for use in drawing construction.

Construction lines are placed on a specific Layer.

The separte layer for construction lines lets you to turn off or freeze prior to printing and delete them when the drawing is complete.

Use AM_ConstLines to draw various construction lines. The command opens the Construction Lines dialog box.

To draw a construction line:

  1. Do one of the following:
    • On the ribbon, click Home > Construction Lines > Construction Lines.
    • On the Mechanical toolbar, click Construction Lines .
    • Type AM_ConstLines.
  2. If necessary, in the Construction line mode drop-down list, specify whether to draw rays or xlines:
    • Ray. Creates construction lines that extend indefinitely in one direction.
    • Xline. Creates construction lines that extend indefinitely in both directions.
  3. Click the icon corresponding to the type of construction line to draw.

    Note: Construction line icons in the dialog box display change to reflect the active mode. The table below contains icons for the Ray mode.

  4. Follow the steps to create the construction line.
Icon Construction Line Type Alternative Command Description
Horizontal construction line AM_ConstHor Creates horizontal construction lines
Vertical construction line AM_ConstVer Creates vertical construction lines
Construction line cross AM_ConstCrs Creates construction line crosses
Construction line starting from one point AM_ConstXRay Creates construction lines that start from a point and extend indefinitely in one direction
Construction line starting from one point in both directions AM_ConstXLine Creates multiple construction lines that extend indefinitely in both directions through a single point
Construction line in Z direction AM_ConstZ Creates construction lines in the Z direction
Construction line that bisects an angle AM_ConstHm Creates a construction line along the bisector of an angle
Parallel construction line with full distance AM_ConstPar Creates construction lines that are parallel to a specified linear entity at a specified distance
Parallel construction line with half distance AM_ConstPar2 Creates construction lines that are parallel to a specified linear entity at half of the specified distance
Construction line perpendicular to a line AM_ConstLot Creates construction lines that are perpendicular to a specified linear entity
Construction line perpendicular to the direction specified by two points AM_ConstLot2 Creates construction lines through a specified point that are perpendicular to the direction specified by another point or angle
Construction line with a relative angle from a line AM_ConstHw Creates construction lines through a single point, by using an angle relative to an apparent line that goes through the specified point
Construction line by defining two points or an angle AM_ConstHb Creates construction lines using two specified points or a specified point and an angle
Two construction lines tangential to a circle AM_ConstTan Creates construction lines that are tangent to a specified circle
Circular Construction line AM_Const_Circle Creates circular construction lines
Concentric Construction line AM_ConstCC Creates circular construction lines that are concentric to a specified circle or arc
Circular construction line tangent to a line AM_ConstC2 Creates circular construction lines that use a specified linear entity as a tangent
Circular construction line tangent to two lines AM_ConstKr Creates circular construction lines that are tangent to two specified lines or circles
Circle to the end of a shaft AM_ConstCCRea Creates circular construction lines to represent the top of a shaft or hole
Rectangular construction line around a circle AM_ConstCircLI Creates a rectangular construction line around a specified circle or arc
Construction line tangent to two circles AM_ConstTC Creates construction lines that are tangent to two specified circles or arcs

Additional Commands for Working with Construction Lines

Command Description
AM_CLineL Locks or unlocks the construction lines layer
AM_CLineO Freezes or thaws the construction lines layer
AM_ConstSwi Switches between the Ray and XLine modes for construction lines
AM_ConstSwiRay Switches the construction line mode Ray on. When the Ray mode is on, construction lines extend to infinity in one direction.
AM_ConstSwiXLine Switches the construction line mode XLine on. When the XLine mode is off, construction lines extend to infinity in both directions.
AM_EraseAllCL Deletes all construction lines from the graphic area
AM_EraseCL Deletes multiple construction lines using a selection window

Access

Ribbon: Home > Construction Lines > Construction Lines

Command: AM_ConstLines



Provide feedback on this topic

SOLIDWORKS welcomes your feedback concerning the presentation, accuracy, and thoroughness of the documentation. Use the form below to send your comments and suggestions about this topic directly to our documentation team. The documentation team cannot answer technical support questions. Click here for information about technical support.

* Required

 
*Email:  
Subject:   Feedback on Help Topics
Page:   Creating Construction Lines
*Comment:  
*   I acknowledge I have read and I hereby accept the privacy policy under which my Personal Data will be used by Dassault Systèmes

Print Topic

Select the scope of content to print:

x

We have detected you are using a browser version older than Internet Explorer 7. For optimized display, we suggest upgrading your browser to Internet Explorer 7 or newer.

 Never show this message again
x

Web Help Content Version: 2025 SP03

To disable Web help from within SOLIDWORKS and use local help instead, click Help > Use SOLIDWORKS Web Help.

To report problems encountered with the Web help interface and search, contact your local support representative. To provide feedback on individual help topics, use the “Feedback on this topic” link on the individual topic page.