> QCAD then automatically shifts the focus to the first input fieldī) As usual the snap options are made active.Ĭ) Snapping would preview a line with the given length in the direction of the snappoint.ĭ) Setting a reference should cast that line.Į) The preview is repeated with the endpoint as the new relative zero. There is an initial learning curve but once past that.You are going to like it.Ī line tool that casts lines with a given length.Ī) Having a Length entry at the start of the Options Toolbar. Most of us have adapted to certain working protocols: personal ones and/or universal ones and sometime very nifty ones. for orthogonal spaced construction lines. Polar meaning snapping angled to the last position. If Restrict orthogonally was turned off then it would basically restrict the final destination to within a radius of the origin by the entered dimension.īecause I have Polar snap on it is then really easy just to dump down a load of construction lines for spacing You then use the mouse to select if that is in the X axis or Y axis and if its in a positive direction or negative direction from the origin. if you don't enter anything it just drops the line wherever you like, if you enter something it overrides the destination point to the length entered. I guess what I am saying is it would be nice for the command line to default to expect a dimensional input so when you move away from the origin of whatever you have started it sets the distance. Select what you want to copy > select copy > specify origin > move in a direction > enter dimension to move (which enters it in the command line) > drop it. I cant use the grid because lots of the blocks I use are downloaded templates and they aren't scaled to a grid and changing all of them negates the purpose of saving time and downloading them in the first place.Īnother example of the dimensional input is when you want to copy something you can: See attached example of a typical drawing I produce for a system schematic If I had Ortho_Snap on then yes it would be orthogonal but I sometimes turn it off when creating blocks. I could start a line and enter a line length then drop it. I just liked the way the other programs handled that type of drawing that's all The example 5 units would be always used in increments like 5, 25, 40 etc.? Direction would always be orthogonally? LI > click to start line origin > spacebar > x-reference, y-reference” > click to drop line endĪlso, I try and select from the Snap menu 'Restrict Orthogonally' but it always turns off at the start of each line or copy so you always have to navigate back to turn in back on at the left after you make your first selection. I would like to hear how others draw because I’m finding the below method time consuming and would like to change it so I can be more efficient. I have ortho/polar snap on normally so it’s very easy in those programs to:Ĭlick line origin > Press 5, for example, for a line length of 5units > place the line end.īecause I have Polar snap on it is then really easy just to dump down a load of construction lines for spacing etc and pipework routes then delete or trim what I don't want after

I normally draw lines at a specified length in auto cad or draftsight. I use a 3D mouse to map macros normally but sue to the whole COVID-19 thing I am stuck at home and will soon be writing some macros to speed up my detailing process with AutoHotKey. I mainly use a 2D package to detail hydraulic and pneumatic system schematics. I cut my teeth with AutoCad and Draftsight so was previously used to the way they work with the command lines. I am new to the QCAD world so apologies for the ignorance if there is an easier method I am missing.

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