Bracket dimensions (M lines)

Once the bracket shape has been defined in the shape definition section #vorm, it is possible to specify the bracket's dimensions (dimension lines) in the same section using M lines. These dimensions are stored in the database and are used by the dimension option for brackets.

The following codes may be used for this purpose:

M D1 and M D2 – The true distance between two points
M X1 and M X2 – The 'horizontal' distance between two points, i.e. the difference between the X coordinates
M Y1 and M Y2 – The 'vertical' distance between two points, i.e. the difference between the Y coordinates

For example, a=(0,0), b=(3,4), and c=(3,0):

M D1 a b ; 5

M D2 a c 3

M X1 a b 3

M X2 a c 3

M Y1 a b 4

M Y2 a c 0

Each M line provides a dimension and should conform to one of the following syntax:

M <code> <X coordinate 1> <Y coordinate 1> <X coordinate 2> <Y coordinate 2>[<numeral>]

M <code> <point id 1> <point id 2> [ <numeral>]

M <code> <X coordinate 1> <Y coordinate 1> <point id 2> [<numeral>]

M <code> <point id 1> <X coordinate 2> <Y coordinate 2> [<numeral>]

<code>=D1 | D2 | X1 | X2 | Y1 | Y2

<point id j>=Pk | Cm

j=1,2 ; k=1, ; m=1, .

The syntax for the coordinates in the shape lines also applies to <X coordinate i> and <Y coordinate i> (i=1,2).

The distance between two points can be increased or decreased with the optional <numeral> numeral if it is difficult to specify a particular distance by defining several points. This may occur, for example, with a rounding arc between two lines that intersect at an acute angle.

The dimensions defined with the D1, D2 codes are independent of the orientation of the bracket.

Examples:

M D1 P2 P3

M D1 AV2 V3 AU2 U3

M D2 P2 AU2 U3

M D2 C1 P5

M D1 C1 P2

M D2 C1 P5