Creating Lines

You can create a line using the Line command. Once you have created one line, you can create any other and in the meantime use the length from the line first created or set this first line as an angle reference.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin:

Ensure that Dimensional Constraints is activated in the Sketch tools toolbar.

Related Topics
Creating Infinite Lines
Creating Bisecting Lines
Creating Bisecting Lines
Creating Lines Normal to a Curve

Create a Line

You can create line, you can use the Line command.

  1. Click Line in the Profile toolbar (Line sub-toolbar).

    The Sketch tools toolbar now displays values for defining the line.

  2. Type in the Sketch tools toolbar for the Start Point: H=18mm, V=18mm and press Enter.



  3. Type in the Sketch tools toolbar for the End Point: L=30mm, A=45deg and press Enter.



    The line is created. Constraints are similarly assigned to this line on the condition you previously activated Dimensional Constraints in the Sketch tools toolbar.



  4. Double-click to edit the angle constraint.

  5. In the Constraint Definition dialog box that appears, set the new angle Value to 30deg and click OK.



Define Line Length/Angle Parameters

You can use Parameter > Set As Angle Reference command to create line by defining its length and angle.

  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.



    The new line is created with a length of 30mm.



  5. Click Line .

  6. 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.



  7. Type in the Sketch tools toolbar for the angle line: A=75deg and press Enter.

  8. Click to indicate the start point location.



  9. Click to indicate the end point location.



    The new line is created with an angle of 75deg in relation to the first line reference orientation.



    Note: In this task we used the Sketch tools toolbar but you can create this line manually. To do this, move the cursor to activate SmartPick and click as soon as you get what you wish. Warning: Be careful when you assign graphical attributes to a line (for example, make it thick and red). When you turn this red thick line into a construction line (from the contextual menu: Object.Line > Definition..., Construction line option in the Line Definition dialog box), the line will become a dotted gray line. Even though you then decide to make it a standard line back again (clearing Construction line), the "red" and "thickness" attributes will not be assigned to the line. The line will be assigned its original attributes (white).