Creating Lines

This task shows how to create a line. In this task, we will use the Sketch tools toolbar but, of course you can create this line manually. For this, move the cursor to activate SmartPick and click as soon as you get what you wish.

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

  1. Type in the Sketcher tools toolbar for the start point: H=18mm, V=18mm and press Enter.

  1. Type in the Sketcher 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 the Dimensional Constraints option in the Sketch tools toolbar.
 

  1. Double-click to edit the angle constraint.

The Constraint Definition dialog box appears.
 
 

  1. Set the new angle Value to 30deg and click OK.
          
Care 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 (un-checking the Construction line option), the "red" and "thickness" attributes will not be assigned to the line. The line will be assigned its original attributes (white).
 

Defining Line Length/Angle Parameters
 

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. For this:
 

  1. Click Line .

  1. Right-click the first line and select Parameter > Copy Length from the contextual menu.

  1. Click to indicate the start point location.
         
 

  1. Click to indicate the end point location.
         
 

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

  1. Click Line .

  1. Right-click the first line and select Parameter > Set As Angle Reference from the contextual menu.
    A red arrow symbolizing the reference orientation for the angle is displayed on the first line.
         
 

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

  1. Click to indicate the start point location.
         
 

  1. 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.