What is the TRACE command used for?

[jgratton]

2005 Command reference says it creates solid lines. It has a width that can be set and then it solid fills it. Does anyone use this and what for? Call me curious.

[robert.1.hall72202]

Good question.

"The endpoints of a trace are on the center line and are always cut square. TRACE automatically calculates the correct bevels for connection to adjacent segments. Each segment is drawn after you either specify the next segment or press ENTER. Because of the way bevels are handled, TRACE has no undo option.

Traces are solid filled when Fill mode is on. When Fill mode is off, only the outline of a trace is displayed."

I checked one of my cad manuals and didn't see anything.
I am still confused.

[cadtag]

Boy, that's an oldie... probably as old as the AXIS command.

From what I recall, TRACE was the original way to get a thickness on linework, predating fat plines, The intent was in support of printed circuit board designers (so TRACE refererred to the circuit traces, not copying an earlier design). The plotter output would have been photo-ready, for your fabricator to use in etching the circuit board.

I didn't do PCB work in '85, and still don't, and have never needed to use that particular command.

[Ed Jobe]

Boy, that's an oldie...

yeah, never use it.

To answer Janet's question...making lots of little line segments.

[madcadder]

Line width controlled by the TRACEWID variable.

And "NO" I've never used it either...

[jgratton]

TRACEWID is where it all started for me. I'm studying how the 183 scriptable system variables that are set in AutoCAD 2005 drawings can affect the appearance/performance of a drawing. This can get quite involved when you consider opening drawings with vertical or third party applications. I find folks don't really understand how what app you launch with is just as important as what you draw after the drawing opens.

[rgorman]

Used it almost as soon as I started using Acad. 1.something. I did PC layouts and it definitely was a help. Didn't have to place 2 lines next to each other to get a wider 'trace' with the pen plotter.

[jaberwok]

Trace was the forerunner to Pline.
Pline does everything that Trace does and more.

[ronz_onridge]

trace is an oldies but goodies to me, it is great when creating 3d outline of the wall, just set the width of the trace same width with your wall, and its ready to be extruded.

[zoomharis]

Pline does everything that Trace does and more.

You can not extrude a polyline to create a 3D Solid unless it's closed where as you can extrude a TRACE segment to form a 3D Solid.