Precision Editing Tools

Precision editing tools are available when sketching conductors or pipes.

After sketching the first vertex of the conductor or pipe, you can right-click to access the precision editing tools. Further, you can switch to any tool mid-sketch. For example, you can start in Line Mode, switch to Arc Mode, come back to Line Mode, switch to Follow Mode, etc...all within the same sketch.

TIP: The hotkeys (seen in the image above by each tool name) make it even faster to switch among the tools mid-sketch.

For all modes, keep the following in mind:

To finish the sketch, you can double-click to place the final vertex and finish. If you already placed your final vertex and do not want another, press Enter to finish the sketch. Pressing Enter is particularly helpful when using the Distance Angle Mode because after typing in your final distance and angle, you likely do not want another vertex after that point.
While sketching, click Undo to revert the sketch vertex by vertex. This is a great way to correct a mistake without having to start all over again.
While sketching, press Esc to discard the entire sketch. After pressing Esc, you cannot get the sketch back, and you would have to start over if you did not mean to cancel the sketch. So, use Esc carefully and only when you do not need your current sketch at all.

Line Mode

Line Mode is the default precision editing tool while sketching conductors or pipes.

Each click places a vertex (or bend point) along the line. While sketching, the application displays helpful information about your sketch including total length thus far, current length of the upcoming portion of the line, and current angle.

Follow Mode

Follow Mode allows you to trace along the contours of existing lines or polygons. For example, in an underground installation, you could trace along parcel lines.

You can either trace directly on the existing lines or polygons, or you can type an Offset Distance. When typing the distance, you can use any of the Units of Measure abbreviations. In other words, even if your map is configured to use feet, you could type in “2 m” for 2 meters in the Offset Distance field.

After you type an Offset Distance, the tool displays both the upcoming vertex and the offset. This gives you the chance to choose the appropriate side of the line to trace along.

Then, click and move the cursor. The application displays the line you are currently following in addition to the line you are sketching.

When using this tool, keep the following in mind:

You must have an existing Reference View that contains the lines or polygons, and that Reference View must be on. You can turn Reference Views on in the Maps pane > Reference subtab (the names of your Reference Views differ from the following image).
To trace directly on top of an existing line or polygon, type 0 for the Offset Distance.
The tool traces along the closest line or polygon that it finds.
You can click to place temporary “anchors” along the sketch. The clicks do not become vertices. They are akin to temporary stopping points along the way. For example, if you click a few times while using the Follow Mode and you make a mistake on your sketch, you could click Undo to return to those click points instead of having to start over. These “anchors” are also handy to add if you find the sketch jumping to lines you do not want to follow.

Arc Mode

Arc Mode allows you to sketch smooth arcs within your design. This mode is most commonly used for underground installations.

While sketching, the application displays the bend radius for the upcoming portion of the line. Keep track of this radius to ensure you are sketching arcs within an acceptable bend range.

Your cursor stays in Arc Mode click after click until you either switch to another mode or finish the sketch.

Distance Angle Mode

There are three ways to use the Distance Angle Mode:

You can type in both the distance and angle of the upcoming portion of the line. The application then “locks” those values in and helps you place the line at the appropriate inflection. As seen in the video below, the application shows all the possible inflection points where your values are true.
- The angle is based upon the direction of the previous segment of the line. If this is the first vertex and there is no previous segment, the angle is based upon having 0 degrees run due east.
You can type in the distance and leave the angle empty. This locks the line at the set distance, and allows you to sketch the line at any angle.
You can type in an angle and leave the distance empty. This locks in the angle (again, the angle is based upon the direction of the previous segment), and allows you to sketch a line of any length.

All three ways are seen in the following short video:

When entering the distance, you can use any of the Units of Measure abbreviations. In other words, even if your map is configured to use feet, you could type in “10 m” for 10 meters in the Distance field.

After using the Distance Angle Mode to place a vertex, the tool defaults back to Line Mode.

TIP: If you are planning to input many distances and angles, remember that Distance Angle Mode is hotkey 4. This allows you to quickly bring up the dialog for each upcoming segment.