POLYGON command in AutoCAD - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the POLYGON command do in AutoCAD?

It creates a regular polygon with equal sides and angles, such as a triangle, square, pentagon, etc.

beginner

How do you specify the number of sides when using the POLYGON command?

After starting the command, AutoCAD prompts you to enter the number of sides as a whole number (3 or more).

intermediate

What are the two ways to define the size of the polygon in AutoCAD?

You can specify the polygon size by either the radius of the circumscribed circle (outside circle) or the inscribed circle (inside circle).

intermediate

What is the difference between a circumscribed and an inscribed polygon in AutoCAD?

A circumscribed polygon fits around a circle touching all vertices, while an inscribed polygon fits inside a circle touching all sides.

beginner

Can the POLYGON command create polygons with any number of sides?

Yes, you can create polygons with 3 or more sides, but very high numbers may look like circles.

What is the first step after typing POLYGON in AutoCAD?

A Enter the number of sides

B Specify the center point

C Choose circumscribed or inscribed

D Draw the polygon manually

AutoCAD first asks for the number of sides before any other input.

Which option defines the polygon size by the distance from center to a vertex?

A Irregular polygon

B Inscribed polygon

C Regular polygon

D Circumscribed polygon

Circumscribed polygon size is defined by the radius to the vertices.

What is the minimum number of sides you can create with the POLYGON command?

A 2

B 3

C 4

D 5

A polygon must have at least 3 sides.

If you want a circle to fit inside the polygon touching its sides, which option do you choose?

A Inscribed

B Circumscribed

C Regular

D Irregular

Inscribed polygons have the circle touch their sides.

What happens if you create a polygon with a very high number of sides?

A It becomes irregular

B It looks like a star

C It looks like a circle

D It cannot be created

Polygons with many sides appear visually like circles.

Explain how to create a regular hexagon using the POLYGON command in AutoCAD.

Think about the steps AutoCAD asks you after starting the command.

Describe the difference between circumscribed and inscribed polygons and when you might use each.

Focus on how the polygon fits inside the circle.

Practice

1.

What does the POLYGON command in AutoCAD primarily create?

easy

A. A freehand drawing

B. A regular shape with equal sides

C. A 3D solid object

D. A text annotation

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of POLYGON command

   The POLYGON command is designed to create shapes with equal-length sides and equal angles.

2. Step 2: Identify the shape type created

   Since it creates regular polygons, the shape has equal sides and angles.

3. Final Answer:

   A regular shape with equal sides -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   POLYGON = Regular shape with equal sides [OK]

Hint: POLYGON always draws shapes with equal sides [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking POLYGON creates freehand drawings
• Confusing POLYGON with 3D modeling commands
• Assuming POLYGON creates text or annotations

2.

Which of the following is the correct first step when using the POLYGON command in AutoCAD?

easy

A. Choose the polygon color

B. Draw a circle first

C. Enter the center point of the polygon

D. Specify the number of sides

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall the POLYGON command sequence

   The first prompt after starting POLYGON is to specify the number of sides.

2. Step 2: Confirm the initial input required

   You must enter how many sides the polygon will have before placing it.

3. Final Answer:

   Specify the number of sides -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   First step = Number of sides [OK]

Hint: Always start POLYGON by entering sides count [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Trying to pick center point before sides
• Drawing a circle before POLYGON command
• Selecting color before shape creation

3.

What will happen if you enter 6 for sides, specify the center point, and choose inscribed circle option with radius 10 in the POLYGON command?

medium

A. A hexagon fits inside a circle of radius 10

B. A hexagon circumscribes a circle of radius 10

C. A circle with radius 10 is drawn inside a hexagon

D. A hexagon with sides length 10 is drawn

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand inscribed polygon meaning

   An inscribed polygon fits inside the circle, touching it at vertices.

2. Step 2: Apply to a hexagon with radius 10

   The hexagon's vertices lie on the circle of radius 10, so it fits inside that circle.

3. Final Answer:

   A hexagon fits inside a circle of radius 10 -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Inscribed polygon = inside circle [OK]

Hint: Inscribed means polygon inside circle touching vertices [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing inscribed with circumscribed
• Assuming side length equals radius
• Thinking circle is inside polygon

4.

You used the POLYGON command and entered 5 sides, then clicked a center point, but the polygon does not appear. What is the most likely error?

medium

A. You did not specify inscribed or circumscribed option

B. You entered an invalid number of sides

C. You did not specify the radius or edge length

D. You forgot to press Enter after center point

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall POLYGON command steps

   After center point, you must specify radius or edge length to define polygon size.

2. Step 2: Identify missing input

   If polygon does not appear, likely radius or edge length was not entered.

3. Final Answer:

   You did not specify the radius or edge length -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Missing radius/edge length = no polygon drawn [OK]

Hint: Always enter radius or edge length after center point [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Skipping radius input thinking center point is enough
• Confusing inscribed/circumscribed as mandatory first step
• Assuming polygon draws automatically after center point

5.

You want to draw a regular octagon that exactly fits around a circle with radius 15. Which option should you choose after specifying the center point in the POLYGON command?

hard

A. Circumscribed about circle

B. Inscribed in circle

C. Draw polygon freehand

D. Specify side length as 15

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand circumscribed polygon meaning

   A circumscribed polygon surrounds the circle, touching it at the midpoint of each side.

2. Step 2: Match polygon to circle radius

   To fit the polygon around the circle of radius 15, choose circumscribed option so polygon edges touch the circle.

3. Final Answer:

   Circumscribed about circle -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Polygon around circle = Circumscribed [OK]

Hint: Choose circumscribed to fit polygon around circle [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Choosing inscribed which fits polygon inside circle
• Trying to draw freehand polygon
• Using side length instead of circle radius