Coordinate entry
Purpose
Sets the first point of a drawing tool to a typed absolute coordinate — instead of hitting it with the mouse. Afterwards the tool continues normally; the following points are clicked as usual or typed relatively in the flying input field.
Access
- Key: K — after choosing a drawing tool and before the first click.
- Tool window on the left, entry ⌖ Coordinate entry (2).
- Command search : Coordinate entry.
Applies to line, rectangle, rectangle (3 points), circle, circle (3 points), arc (all three kinds), polyline and point. With another tool the status bar reports Coordinate entry: choose a drawing tool first (line, rectangle, circle, arc, polyline, point); if a point has already been set: Coordinate entry applies to the start point — this function is already drawing.
Procedure
- Choose the drawing tool, press K. Next to the pointer the input field appears — depending on the coordinate mode with X and Y (cartesian) or L and ∠ (polar, length and angle from the origin). Preset is the current pointer position.
- Type the values, Tab switches the field. The button ⇄ L∠ or ⇄ XY in the field switches the mode; the space bar as well.
- Enter sets the start point; the tool continues with the next step. Esc cancels.
The status bar guides: Start point: X / Y (absolute coordinate) · ⇄ switches to polar · Enter or Start point: length / angle from the origin · ⇄ switches to X/Y · Enter.
Options
- Coordinate mode polar or cartesian: space bar, button in the field or 📐 at the left of the status bar (Coordinate mode); the choice also applies to the flying input field while drawing.
- For the further points of a tool there is no absolute entry — they are typed relative to the previous point (ΔX/ΔY or L/∠).