How to draw a rectangle with exact dimensions in BricsCAD?

ByCADbrief Staff

Short Answer

Yes — in BricsCAD, the fastest professional way to draw a rectangle with exact dimensions is to use the RECTANGLE command and enter the second corner as a relative coordinate such as @width,height. This gives precise size control immediately. Limitation: this method depends on your current UCS direction.

What You Need to Know Before

Warning: If Dynamic Input, UCS, or Ortho assumptions are wrong, your rectangle may be the correct size but placed in an unexpected direction. A locked or non-current layer can also stop the rectangle from being created without an obvious geometry error.

How to Draw a Rectangle With Exact Dimensions in BricsCAD

  • Command: RECTANGLE

  • Shortcut: REC

  • Quick Steps:

    1. On the Ribbon > Home > Draw panel, click Rectangle, or type REC and press Enter.
    2. Pick the first corner point, or type exact coordinates if needed.
    3. For the opposite corner, type a relative coordinate in this format: @width,height — for example, @200,100 — then press Enter.

  • Use the standard corner-to-corner method because it is the fastest and most common professional workflow.

  • Real option: before picking corners, use the Dimensions option in the command line if you want to enter Length and Width explicitly instead of relative coordinates.

Variables & Settings

  • Key Setting: Dynamic Input
  • Expert Setting: If Dynamic Input is enabled, coordinate entry appears near the cursor and can speed up width/height input. If it is off, enter @width,height in the command line instead. Make sure you are using the correct relative coordinate format for your UCS.

Why it Fails

  • Cause 1 (Geometry): The current UCS is rotated, so the rectangle dimensions are correct but not aligned with the expected horizontal and vertical directions.
  • Cause 2 (layers/Locks): The current layer is locked or the object is being created on a layer with restrictions, preventing normal placement or editing.
  • Cause 3 (Command/Logic): The second point is entered as absolute coordinates instead of relative coordinates, so the rectangle size becomes wrong.

Quick Fix & Best Practice

  • Quick Fix: Run UCS and set it to World, then use RECTANGLE again with @width,height.
  • Manager’s Verdict: Use RECTANGLE with relative coordinates for fast 2D drafting and standard production work. If orientation matters, verify UCS first; if starting from a known insertion point and size, this is the most reliable everyday method.

FAQ

Can I enter rectangle size without clicking the second corner?
Yes, use RECTANGLE and type @width,height or use the Dimensions option.

Can I make the rectangle from its center in BricsCAD?
Yes, use the Center option inside the RECTANGLE command if that workflow suits your layout.

Why is my rectangle the right size but angled wrong?
Your UCS is likely rotated, so reset it to World before drawing.

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