When drawing a line or a shape, users do not have to pick every point with the mouse. The points can be typed in instead, as coordinates, or as a length and an angle from the previous point. This works the same way in every drawing tool:
- Drain, sewer and water pipe
- Road horizontal alignment
- Wall line, cut line, end area and cut section master string
- Platform, effective platform, boundary, catchment and platform string
How to type a point #
Start the drawing tool as usual and simply start typing. A small input box appears next to the cursor, showing what can be entered. Press Enter to accept the typed value.
All values are in metres. Use . for decimals (e.g. 45.5,34.2); negative values are accepted.
What can be typed #
| Typed | Meaning |
|---|---|
56,45 |
The point at x = 56 m, y = 45 m |
56,45,12 |
The point at x = 56 m, y = 45 m, with z = 12 m (see below) |
45 |
45 m long, in the direction of the cursor |
45<80 |
45 m long, at 80 degrees |
<80 |
Fixed at 80 degrees, the length follows the cursor |
The first point of a line or shape can only be typed as a coordinate, because a length and an angle need a previous point to measure from. The input box shows X,Y (m): for the first point and X,Y (m) or Length (m) < Angle (degree): for every point after that.
Typed points and mouse clicks can be mixed freely, e.g. type the first point as a coordinate, click the second one, then type 20<90 for the third.
Typing a z value #
A third number is used as the z value, where the entity being drawn stores one:
- Drain, sewer and water pipe — z sets the ground level of the new node at that point. The level is kept as user-defined, so it is not replaced by the ground level from the terrain. A node that already exists keeps its own ground level.
- Platform — if every corner of the platform is typed with a z value, each corner gets that elevation. Such a platform is not trimmed to the boundary the way a flat platform is. If any corner is clicked, or entered as a length and angle, the platform is created flat as usual.
Other entities are drawn in plan only, and the z value is ignored.
Cancelling with Esc #
Pressing Esc after typing a value cancels the input, the same as pressing it without typing anything.
For platform, effective platform, boundary, catchment and platform string, Esc cancels only the line currently being drawn. The corners already placed are kept, and the tool waits for that point again. Pressing Esc a second time exits the tool.
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