Entering & Modifying Points. Autodesk AUTOSKETCH 8

Entering &

Modifying Points

A point is a specific location in space specified by a set of coordinates. Entering a point is a matter of entering those coordinates. If you know the coordinates, you can enter the point from the keyboard. If you do not know the coordinates, but know the location of the point in relation to the reference grid or to another entity, you can click near the location and have AutoSketch enter the coordinates for you.

Advanced Topics Found in Help

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To change the size of the AutoPoint Indicator

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To change the default snap

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To change the number of quadrant snap points

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To change to the advanced Enter 2D Coordinates dialog box

9

In this chapter

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Using snaps

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Entering a point from the keyboard

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Using lock modifiers

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Using Set Last Point

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Modifying a point

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As in any CAD program, almost every activity in AutoSketch requires you to enter points.

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To draw a line, you enter a startpoint and an endpoint.

To move an entity, you enter a “from” and a “to” point.

To stretch or resize the selection set, you must click a handle and drag it to a new point.

AutoSnap allows you to draw with more precision by automatically identifying exact points such as an entity's midpoint, endpoint, or centerpoint.

These points are called snap points because you need only click near one and the point is snapped to the exact point shown.

In all, there are fifteen ways to enter a point in AutoSketch—thirteen using the mouse and two using the keyboard. These correspond with the fifteen snaps you can choose by clicking their buttons on the All-In-One toolbar, or by typing the letter shown on the button.

In many CAD applications you are limited to using one snap at a time.

However, MultiSnap mode allows you to use several snaps simultaneously, allowing you to draw complete entities without pausing to switch between snaps. MultiSnap mode allows you to select almost any combination of snaps while you’re drawing. You can click on a toolbar or use the keyboard to toggle snaps on and off independently, or turn off all snaps by typing S . If you type S again, all snaps from the previous set are reactivated.

If you prefer to use just one snap at a time, you can switch to Single Snap mode on the Drawing page of the Drawing Options dialog box.

To disable MultiSnap mode

1 On the Tools menu, click Drawing Options. The Drawing Options dialog box appears.

2 Click the Drawing page tab.

3 Uncheck the Enable MultiSnap check box. When this check box is checked, MultiSnap mode is enabled.

4 Click OK.

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Chapter 9 Entering & Modifying Points

There are also four automatic modifications you can have AutoSketch make to the point you enter. These “lock modifiers” force the point you enter into horizontal, vertical, orthogonal, or “normal” alignment with the last point.

You can choose a lock modifier at any time in the drawing or editing process by clicking its button on the All-In-One toolbar or by typing the letter shown on the button.

E

G

A

B

C

Snap and lock commands are also located on their own toolbars, which contain the same commands as the toolsets but can be docked anywhere onscreen.

When snaps involving the mouse are active, a red AutoPoint Indicator appears.

As you move the pointer over the drawing, each type of snap point is represented by a different symbol: squares for endpoints, triangles for midpoints, circles for centerpoints, and so on. If a lock modifier is active as well, a dotted line extends from the AutoPoint Indicator to the actual point, as constrained by the lock modifier. For instance, if you draw a diagonal line from top to bottom, then activate Endpoint snap and the Y-axis lock modifier, the square

AutoPoint Indicator identifies the endpoint nearest the pointer, but a dotted line extends to the potential snap point based on the current snap and lock modifier.

Keys used to specify snaps and lock modifiers

AutoPoint

Indicator Lock Modifier Key

2

Snap

2-Point Intersection snap

Absolute

Basepoint snap

Centerpoint snap

Endpoint snap

Gridpoint snap

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R

S

T

U

W

X

Y

N

O

P

Q

J

L

M

Keys used to specify snaps and lock modifiers (continued)

AutoPoint

Indicator Lock Modifier

I

Key Snap

Intersection snap

Jump snap

Midpoint snap

Normal

Nearest Point snap

Perpendicular snap

Quadrant snap

Relative

Snap off

Tangent snap

Set Last (Working) point

Orthogonal

Unlocked (disables lock modifiers)

X-axis (Horizontal)

Y-axis (Vertical)

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Chapter 9 Entering & Modifying Points