Here's one for you...personally, I've never used this setting, variable, method before but maybe some of you have.
Using Civil3d/AutoCAD draw a line 100 feet long from left to right. Line can be at an angle if desired.
Place another line, using a different color for visual, by snapping to the left end of the 100 foot line then move your cursor to the opposite end of the 100 foot line, endpoint snap active. Now, DON'T snap to that endpoint. Instead get your cursor close enough to invoke the proximity snap but don't accept it, input a distance of 50 feet. Does the newly placed line follow the direction of the 100 foot line or does it follow the placement of your cursor?
I would like it to follow where that snap is showing, not the cursor. Anyone know the variable or setting that controls this? Based on my testing, it is not Polar Tracking.
Thanks in advance!
Use Measure: "me" in command line. Then subdivide the line by 50. Will create nodes but you can trash them later. Is that what you are looking for? That's the command I use to subdivide arcs for layout points. Don't make me turn on my laptop...
No, I'm not looking for it. We have a user looking for that specific workflow. I have never used his way of doing things but that's what he's looking for.
I thought about other ways of doing the same thing but you know surveyors, kind of stuck in their ways. ?????ÿ
I just let the cursor snap onto the other end; the new line still pops in at the distance entered.?ÿ As far as a setting for this particular thing I have no idea.?ÿ
Is it an AUTOSNAP setting? https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2021/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-BE7947EB-2A08-4406-A169-4C5E125B1F4D-htm.html
No, I guess I need to make a GIF showing what I'm talking about to help clarify the situation.
Stay tuned...
@squirl interesting, I suppose there are probably all kinds of free on line software available these days for making GIFs. ?ÿNifty.
Excuse my GIF making capabilities, this is a little out of my wheelhouse.
Below is a GIF showing what I'm trying to do with a (I think) variable already within AutoCAD. Notice, I'm drawing the lines toward the end point snap but I am NOT snapping to those endpoints. I start at the vertex and draw a line at a certain distance toward the endpoint. Any help is appreciated.
?ÿ
What version of Civil 3D are you using?
Try enabling Dynamic Input - F12
Make sure the cursor is at the end of the line, it will appear to be snapped, then input the distance in the top box. You can switch between the input boxes with the Tab if you also need to change the angle.
Civil3d 2019
Dynamic Input doesn't apply to the desired outcome. Based on everything I've found and others I've talked to OSNAPCOORD should be what controls this variable. I've asked the user to do some testing and report back. OSNAPCOORD works for me as intended so it should work for them since our CAD applications are configured the same.?ÿ
"Kid falls down a well..." Cousin Eddie
If you have a line, like the first 100' line, and you want to create a new line at that bearing but a different distance just do this:
Line - enter
snap to starting point - enter
'bd enter (this triggers the bearing and distance input which i have macro'd in so i never have to type it)
now you should have the specify quadrant input option which you can either type in 1, 2, 3 or 4 or simply snap to the end of your 100' line
now you should have a specify bearing option - simply snap to the end of your 100' line
now you should have a specify distance option - this is where you would type in your distance of 50
Sounds like alot of steps but it's not and only takes seconds.
?ÿ
The way I've always done this is to set the UCS to the object, set the ortho on, then draw a line perpendicular to the start end and offset it the required distance. If you set the UCS origin to the start of the line, then you can enter in the distances.
The "parallel" OSNAP is what you are after,?ÿ I think.
That is my meathod also.
Just like "untape paper from board, rotate paper so t-square is parallel to line, re-tape" (but better)
I'll throw out another option. You can use the parallel osnap. Start your line from the endpoint, get a tentative parallel osnap, then type in your distance.
After the second line command, type ext, hover over the start of the left end of the line to initiate it, move the cursor along the line, you can then key in a dimension along that first line to end the second one on.?ÿ the newly created line will be on the same bearing as the first and its length will be the value you entered.
