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Location Panel

The Location panel (the middle panel in the Control Panel on the right edge of the screen) shows the coordinates corresponding to the location of the "pointer" device (mouse, stylus or your finger). The first set of coordinates (labeled "Absolute") are Cartesian model-space coordinates relative to the drawing origin. The next set of coordinates (labeled "Relative") are "delta" coordinates (horizontal and vertical offsets) relative to the last point. The third set of coordinates (labeled "Polar") show the distance and angle from the last point entered to the cursor location.

In the middle of the Location panel, below the tracking coordinates, is a text box where you can enter coordinates using your keyboard. Coordinates can be entered as absolute cartesian coordinates (x, y), relative coordinates (dx, dy), or polar coordinates (distance, angle). For a more detailed discussion of keyboard coordinate entry, please see Entering Keyboard Coordinates below.

The Location panel also includes a "keypad" or set of arrow buttons that let you move the cursor by "steps." The "step" distance is the same as the grid snap value (or half the small grid size). Tapping the arrow buttons has the same effect as using the arrow keys on your keyboard.

Once the cursor has been positioned using the arrow keys, points can be entered by tapping the Enter point button.

Entering Keyboard Coordinates

Points can be entered into your drawing by typing explicit coordinates in the text box labeled "Enter coordinates." Coordinates are entered as <type>,<number>,<number>, where <type> can be absolute, relative or polar. The <type> field can be reduced to a single letter (a, r or p), or omitted if it is the same as the previous coordinate. The type can also be set by selecting from the toggle buttons below the text box. The point is entered into your drawing when the Enter key is pressed.

When entering Absolute coordinates, the format is absolute,<x>,<y> where <x> and <y> are cartesian coordinates in model units. If <x> or <y> is omitted, their values will default to the x and y coordinates of the previous point.

When entering Relative coordinates, the format is relative,<dx>,<dy> where <dx> and <dy> are delta coordinates in model units relative to the previous point. If <dx> or <dy> is omitted, their values will default to zero.

When entering Polar coordinates, the format is polar,<distance>,<angle> where <distance> is a distance in model units and <angle> is a counter-clockwise angle in degrees measured from right-horizontal. If <distance> or <angle> is omitted, their values will default to zero.

There are three additional <type> values that can be used when entering coordinates: undo, redo and done. These perform the undo, redo and done functions (as expected). They can not be abbreviated and have no additional parameters.

EXAMPLE: Draw a 3 x 1.5 rectangle at (5,5)
a,5,5
r,3
0,1.5
-3
0,-1.5
EXAMPLE: Draw a 5-point star at the current cursor location
a,5,5
r,3
0,1.5
-3
0,-1.5