& Construction

Integrated BIM tools, including Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D
& Manufacturing

Professional CAD/CAM tools built on Inventor and AutoCAD
Integrated BIM tools, including Revit, AutoCAD, and Civil 3D
Professional CAD/CAM tools built on Inventor and AutoCAD
Ensure the accuracy of your drawings with inferred constraints.
Type:
Tutorial
Length:
3 min.
Transcript
00:03
With AutoCAD Mechanical, you can infer constraints.
00:07
This automatically applies geometric constraints while creating and editing geometric objects.
00:13
To enable this option, from the Status bar, expand the Customization menu and select Infer Constraints.
00:20
Once it has been added to the Status bar like this, later, you can simply click Infer Constraints to activate the command.
00:28
Now, draw a rectangle in the drawing area.
00:32
From the ribbon, Home tab, Draw panel, select Corner to Corner Rectangle.
00:37
Pick two points for the rectangle and notice that constraints are automatically applied to the rectangle.
00:44
Turn OFF Infer Constraints and draw another rectangle.
00:49
Constraints are NOT applied to this newly created rectangle.
00:53
Select one of the second rectangle’s grips and move it.
00:57
Without constraints, you can move the grip to edit the shape and angles of the rectangle.
01:03
Select one of the first rectangle’s grips and move it.
01:07
With constraints applied, the angles of the rectangle do not change.
01:11
From your keyboard, press ESC to end the command.
01:14
Turn ON Infer Constraints again.
01:17
This time, from the ribbon, expand the Line drop-down and select Symmetrical Line.
01:24
In the drawing area, pick two points to specify the centerline.
01:28
Then, pick a few points to draw multiple lines connecting to each other.
01:34
Each line displays a constraint, and because this is the Symmetrical Line tool,
01:38
the line shapes are mirrored on the other side of the centerline.
01:43
Right-click and select Enter.
01:46
Select a grip from one of the line segments and move it.
01:51
Because it has inferred constraints applied, the mirrored shape adjusts accordingly.
01:56
Infer Constraints is useful when creating patterns, such as multiple holes in a design, as it makes updating several objects at once easy.
02:06
From the ribbon, expand the Centerline drop-down and select Centerline Cross on Full Circle.
02:13
This command draws and evenly distributes circles with a centerline cross.
02:19
In the drawing area, specify the center point of the circle, the diameter value, how many circles to draw, and the rotation angle.
02:30
Press ENTER.
02:32
Constraints are added to each circle as you create them.
02:36
Use the grips to edit one of the circles and notice that all circles are modified accordingly.
Video transcript
00:03
With AutoCAD Mechanical, you can infer constraints.
00:07
This automatically applies geometric constraints while creating and editing geometric objects.
00:13
To enable this option, from the Status bar, expand the Customization menu and select Infer Constraints.
00:20
Once it has been added to the Status bar like this, later, you can simply click Infer Constraints to activate the command.
00:28
Now, draw a rectangle in the drawing area.
00:32
From the ribbon, Home tab, Draw panel, select Corner to Corner Rectangle.
00:37
Pick two points for the rectangle and notice that constraints are automatically applied to the rectangle.
00:44
Turn OFF Infer Constraints and draw another rectangle.
00:49
Constraints are NOT applied to this newly created rectangle.
00:53
Select one of the second rectangle’s grips and move it.
00:57
Without constraints, you can move the grip to edit the shape and angles of the rectangle.
01:03
Select one of the first rectangle’s grips and move it.
01:07
With constraints applied, the angles of the rectangle do not change.
01:11
From your keyboard, press ESC to end the command.
01:14
Turn ON Infer Constraints again.
01:17
This time, from the ribbon, expand the Line drop-down and select Symmetrical Line.
01:24
In the drawing area, pick two points to specify the centerline.
01:28
Then, pick a few points to draw multiple lines connecting to each other.
01:34
Each line displays a constraint, and because this is the Symmetrical Line tool,
01:38
the line shapes are mirrored on the other side of the centerline.
01:43
Right-click and select Enter.
01:46
Select a grip from one of the line segments and move it.
01:51
Because it has inferred constraints applied, the mirrored shape adjusts accordingly.
01:56
Infer Constraints is useful when creating patterns, such as multiple holes in a design, as it makes updating several objects at once easy.
02:06
From the ribbon, expand the Centerline drop-down and select Centerline Cross on Full Circle.
02:13
This command draws and evenly distributes circles with a centerline cross.
02:19
In the drawing area, specify the center point of the circle, the diameter value, how many circles to draw, and the rotation angle.
02:30
Press ENTER.
02:32
Constraints are added to each circle as you create them.
02:36
Use the grips to edit one of the circles and notice that all circles are modified accordingly.
How to buy
Privacy | Do not sell or share my personal information | Cookie preferences | Report noncompliance | Terms of use | Legal | © 2025 Autodesk Inc. All rights reserved
Sign in for the best experience
Save your progress
Get access to courses
Receive personalized recommendations
May we collect and use your data?
Learn more about the Third Party Services we use and our Privacy Statement.May we collect and use your data to tailor your experience?
Explore the benefits of a customized experience by managing your privacy settings for this site or visit our Privacy Statement to learn more about your options.