Entering points using the dialog line

Whenever you click a function which expects you to enter points, the following data entry boxes and icons are displayed in the dialog line:

Except for the Draft, Text and Dimension Lines modules in which the third dimension is usually not required, the z direction is also available:

Preview snaps to points

You can snap and place points using the mouse. You can also enter points and elements based on existing points:

Move the crosshairs near a point (all you have to do is point to that point) and the program will snap to it and mark it with a red X.

Fig.: point snapped; highlighted by a red X

Note: Points snapped are displayed in all views.

All the entries you make in the dialog line apply to the point snapped. Use the TAB/PAGE UP key or SHIFT+TAB/PAGE DOWN key to toggle between the data entry boxes. You can also calculate (as with Calculator).

Fig.: calculations:

Preview shows all points

The entries you make in the dialog line are displayed simultaneously in the preview. The red cross immediately appears at the point defined by the entry.

Fig.: preview of point, offset of DX=2, DY=3 to point snapped

When you press ENTER or click in the workspace, the point you have just entered serves as the start point for the new element (line in this example) or as the reference point for modification tools.

Fig.: press Enter or click in the workspace to place the point; the line is attached to the crosshairs

Before you place the point, you can also point to another point using the crosshairs: the offset you enter in the dialog line refers to the new point snapped.

Fig.: preview of point, offset of DX=2, DY=3 refers to new point

Reference to point snapped or point placed?

When making entries in the dialog line, you can see at once whether your entries refer to a point snapped or to the point you placed last:

In the case of points snapped, the data entry boxes are highlighted in yellow.
In the case of points placed, the data entry boxes are highlighted in white.

Value entered is proposed

The icons beside the data entry boxes are buttons:
When you click an icon, the value entered is proposed for all further steps; however, you can change it any time.

Fig.: DY=3 is proposed for the next point snapped

Transfer values to data entry boxes by clicking

Data entry boxes provide shortcut menus, which you can use to get values from the drawing by clicking. Click the relevant data entry box with the right mouse button, select a function and click the points/angles you want to use.

Function	Use
	Horizontal offset Click two points; the horizontal distance between these two points is transferred to the data entry box.
	Vertical offset Click two points; the vertical distance between these two points is transferred to the data entry box.
	Offset Click two points; the distance between these two points is transferred to the data entry box.
	Angle Specify the angle by clicking two direction points or a direction line; the value of this angle is transferred to the data entry box.

Fig.: shortcut menu when entering coordinates

Fig.: shortcut menu when entering angles