Object snap extension lines

Object snap extension lines are virtual geometrical elements which can help to define points. Extension lines can be invoked or removed during drawing functions. Using extension lines will require object snap to be active. Object snap extension lines can be set on by clicking extension lines button. Extension lines can be set on/off or extension line angle setting can be modified by right-clicking object snap extension lines icon in status bar.

Extension lines are temporary and will not be printed.

Program provides two different extension line systems. To avoid confusion, different extension lines are drawn by using different colors.

Parallel and perpendicular extension lines

Do the following:

1. Enable object snap (the Nearest mode is ignored).

2. Execute a function that asks you to define a point.

3. Move the crosshair on top of an existing object so that the object snap icon is visible.

4. Press F12.

The program draws the extension lines using object information as follows:

• Line (or a line segment of polyline):

  • Parallel and perpendicular extension lines

  • The program takes lines inside symbols into account.

• Arc (or an arc segment of polyline):

  • Arc filled as a full circle

  • The program takes arcs inside symbols into account.

• Spline:

  • Tangential and perpendicular extension lines

  • The program takes splines inside symbols into account.

Snap angle extension lines

Do the following:

1. Enable object snap (the Nearest mode is ignored).

2. Set the snap extension line angle:

   • In the lower right corner, right-click the snap extension line icon and select the angle.

   • The default angle value is 90 degrees, so the program draws horizontal and vertical extension lines.

   • The maximum number of extension lines is 72. So, if the angle is less than 5 degrees, the lines do not cover a full circle.

3. Execute a function that asks you to define a point.

4. Move the crosshair on top of an existing object so that the object snap icon is visible.

5. Press Shift + F12.

The program draws the extension lines using the extension line angle, starting from angle 0 of the current coordinate system.

Automatic snap angle extension lines

The program can also draw the snap angle extension lines automatically.

Do the following:

1. Enable object snap (the Nearest mode is ignored).

2. Set the snap extension line angle:

   • In the lower right corner, right-click the snap extension line icon and select the angle.

   • The default angle value is 90 degrees, so the program draws horizontal and vertical extension lines.

   • The maximum number of extension lines is 72. So, if the angle is less than 5 degrees, the lines do not cover a full circle.

3. Enable automatic snap angle extension lines.

   • To enable automatic snap angle extension lines, use object snap toolbar, or right click object snap extension lines icon in status bar.

4. Execute a function that asks you to define a point.

5. Move the crosshair on top of an existing object so that the object snap icon is visible.

6. Move the crosshair on top of the object snap icon so that the snap icon is activated.

7. Wait for a moment.

The program draws the extension lines using the extension line angle, starting from angle 0 of the current coordinate system.

Use extension lines

You can use extension lines and object snap together for point defining in the same way that you would use actual objects in the drawing. With the help of extension lines, it is easy to find apparent intersections of objects.

The picture above shows extension lines from the endpoint of a horizontal line at 45 degree angles and an extension for the arc. Therefore, it is possible to snap to the intersection point of the extension lines.

Remove extension lines

The program removes the extension lines automatically when you end the function that was executed when the program drew the extension lines.

Sometimes you might want to remove extension lines during the execution of the function. You can do this in two ways:

• Remove all extension lines:

  1. Move the crosshair to an area where it is not on any element.

  2. Press F12.

• Remove selected extension lines:

  1. Move the crosshair on top of the extension line that you want to remove so that the line is highlighted. Depending on the zoom factor, you can select multiple lines at the same time.

  2. Press F12.