Creating Lines

You can create a line. Once you have created one line, you can create more lines and use the length from the previously created line or specify this first line as an angle reference.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: Ensure that Dimensional Constraints is selected in Sketch of the action bar.
See Also
Creating Infinite Lines
Creating Bisecting Lines
Creating Bisecting Lines
Creating Lines Normal to a Curve

Create a Line

You can create line.

  1. From the Sketch section of the action bar, click Line .
    Tools Palette now displays parameters for defining the line.
  2. In the Tools Palette, enter the start point coordinates (H and V) and press Enter.
  3. In the Tools Palette, type the end-point coordinates (L and A) and press Enter.
    The line is created.

    The constraints are similarly assigned to this line if you have previously selected the Dimensional Constraints command from the action bar.



  4. Optional: Edit the angle constraint:
    1. Double-click the angle constraint.
      The Constraint Definition dialog box appears.
    2. In the Value box, type a new angle value.
    3. Click OK.
    The angle is modified.

Define Line Length

You can create line by defining its length.

  1. Click Line .
  2. Right-click the first line and select Parameters > Copy Length.
  3. Click to indicate the start point location.
  4. Click to indicate the end-point location.

A new line is created with the copied length.

Define Line Angle

You can create line by defining its angle.

  1. Click Line .
  2. Right-click the first line and select Parameter > Set As Angle Reference.
    A red ( ) arrow symbolizing the reference orientation for the angle is displayed on the first line.

  3. In the A box of the Tools Palette, enter the angle value and press Enter.
  4. Click to indicate the start point location.
  5. Click to indicate the end-point location.
    A new line is created with the defined angle in relation to the first line reference orientation.

    Note: In this task, we used Tools Palette, but you can create this line manually. To do this, move the pointer to activate SmartPick and click as soon as you get the required option.
    Important: While assigning graphical attributes to a line (for example, make it thick and red), when you change this red thick line into a construction line (from the context menu: Line.x object > Definition... or the Construction check box in the Line.x dialog box), the line becomes a dotted gray line. Even if you then decide to make it a standard line back again (clearing Construction check box), the red and thickness attributes is not assigned to the line. The line is assigned its default attributes (black).