AutoCAD SPLINE Command: How to Draw Smooth Curves Easily
Draws a smooth curve through fit points or shaped by control vertices.
- Command
- SPLINE
- Aliases
- SPL
- English name
- Spline
The AutoCAD SPLINE command draws smooth curves that pass through, or are shaped by, the points you pick. It is used for contour lines, riverbanks, cable routes and freeform details.
There are two methods. With fit points the curve passes through each point you pick. With control vertices the points pull the curve into shape, but the curve does not have to pass through them.
A spline can be edited with grips, and SPLINEDIT can convert it to a polyline when needed.
How to use it
- Type SPLINE or SPL and press Enter.
- If needed, type M (Method) and choose Fit or CV.
- Pick the first point and then the following points in order.
- Press Enter to finish, or type C (Close) for a closed curve.
Options
- Method (M)
- Chooses fit points (Fit) or control vertices (CV).
- Knots (K)
- Sets the knot parameterization (Chord, Square root, Uniform) for fit-point splines.
- Object (O)
- Converts a spline-fit polyline into an equivalent spline.
- Tolerance (L)
- Sets how far the curve may deviate from the fit points; 0 forces it through them.
- Start/End tangency (T)
- Sets the tangent direction at the start and end of the curve.
- Close (C)
- Closes the curve back to its start point.
Notes and tips
- If the curve must pass exactly through your points, use the Fit method with a tolerance of 0.
- Too many points make a wavy curve; fewer, well-placed points give a cleaner result.