How to draw a straight line with precise length

Philw

I must be doing something wrong some of the time. I am old school cad. I keep wanting to pick it and start the move, then type the distant. I am just picking the object and typing the new length, this works some time and other times, not.

is this written down somewhere where i can read how this works or is it on the layout help sites?

Dave R

@philw said:

That works,

Good. You should be able to type the units but as long as they are the default, you don't need it anyway.

@philw said:

I wonder what else I am doing wrong

I might be able to give you some idea if I saw your LO file.

@philw said:

Thanks for all your help.
I need a doh! boook for Layout

You're welcome.

A new book to publish.

Dave R

Hang on and we'll look at it together. I have to finish an overseas call.

Philw

@unknownuser said:

I'll try and send a file from work to

I'll try and send a file from work tomorrow..

Dave R

Do you want to try looking at LayOut with me using a screen share. I can set that up.

Philw

that would be great

Mikar

Hi Dave,

thanks for your explenations!

Let me just skip back to my initial question. The problem I have is that I cannot type the desired lenght while holding down the shift key to keeop the axis locked. With 'straight line' I ment locked to x or y axis.

Any idea how to do that?

Cheers
Mikar

pbacot

If you press shift and snap to x or y directions, move the cursor in the direction you want. then while holding shift you can hit a number key on the numerical key pad and return, that should work.
But it's not generally necessary to press shift. The line tool will show a red or green trace as it locks into the x or y axis. You can then hit any numbered key (or length e.g. 2'7 ) and return.

I think the problem is with heavier lines at closer zooms this indicator is not very visible if at all. That may also be worse on retina displays. The line direction definitely "snaps" though.

Mikar

Well, my numberpad doesn't accept any entries while I hold down the shift key (maybe it works on your Mac, but not on my MS).

However, I noticed that once the desired axis lights up (x in red, y in green) I can release the shift key and the line will stay on the desired axis, then I can enter the length.

Problem solved, thank you all!

Cheers
Mikar

Dave R

The Line tool will naturally snap to on-axis. You really shouldn't need to hold shift to draw a line on axis if you're going to type in its length anyway. The only time I would use Shift to lock a line on axis is if I'm using something else on the page for a reference for the end of the line. As in this GIF.

Charlie__V

Tip:
Don’t be afraid to “overdraw” the length of the line before entering the desired length. (often helps to show RGB axis/or highlight when parallel/perpendicular in “crowded” drawing)

IE: Draw line in desired direction (RGB axis/parallel/perpendicular to exisiting) approximately 20’ and enter 1’-8”

C

pbacot

I find the references come anyway and are easy to snap without shift, In fact so many references--some of which I don't think I'll ever figure out, some arcane trig relationships I guess.