XTrkCAD User Guide Version 5.4.0.752f9693ff68
Draw PolyLine

Before the polygon is started the line width and color can be set. The Polyline Line Width field is a scaled dimension in inches if >0. If 0 it is a 1 pixel wide line at all zooms. If the value is negative, it is a scale-independent number of pixels wide.

PolyLines are created by either a series for Left-Clicks or Left+Drags, and a new "node" is placed for each. When using left-drag, the node will be positioned when you release the button.

  • If MagneticSnap (Magnetic Snap) is enabled, An anchor point will be shown on nearby draw objects that the next point will be snapped to unless Alt is held.
  • If it is disabled, the snap will only occur if Alt is held.
  • If Ctrl is held down when a new point is placed, it will snap the relative angle of the new side to a multiple of 90 degrees from the previous side. On the first polyline segemnt this will be at a multiple of 90 degrees to the axes. The line from the previous point will be highlighted in Blue.
  • A special blue square anchor will show when the cursor is in a position such that it is 90 degrees away from both the last point and the first point of the Polyline.
  • The last drawn polyline segment dimensions can be altered using the text boxes that appear showing the segment length and the relative angle to the previous segment.
  • The polyline is ended using Enter or Space.
  • While drawing the Polyline certain short cuts are available by keystroke and via the Context Menu:
  • 'p' - to cover to a Polygon
  • 's' - to smooth the last selected point
  • 'r' - to make the last selected point round
  • 'v' - to make the last selected point sharp (a vertex)
  • 'o' - to change to Draw Objects Origin mode