• AutoCAD Mechanical

Inferred constraints in AutoCAD Mechanical

Ensure the accuracy of your drawings with inferred constraints.


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.

Was this information helpful?