Lines and Polygons

Tip:  Create lines while in top view or action plane front view , or use snap modes to ensure the lines are placed in the intended locations.

1. On the Create tab, in the Draw group, select Line from the Line drop-down list.
   A panel will open displaying the input fields for the First point.

   

2. Pick the First point in the view window, or enter coordinates manually in the X, Y, and Z input fields. Click the button to clear the input fields.

   The Next point drop-down will be enabled, from which you can select one of the following the coordinate entry modes:

   	Point Enter or pick the next point's coordinates.
   	Length, bearing and inclination Enter the length, compass direction, and inclination angle of the next line segment.
   	Relative offset Enter the next point's distance from the last point in the X, Y, and Z directions.

3. Enter or pick as many points as required to build a line using the preferred coordinate entry mode, or by clicking on the action plane.

4. Right-click to complete the line.

5. Repeat the above steps to create another line.

6. Press Esc or click the button to exit the tool, or continue creating new lines.

1. On the Create tab, in the Draw group, select Polygon from the Polygon drop-down list.

   The tool panel will open displaying the input fields for the First point.
   

   

2. Pick the First point in the view window, or enter values manually in the X, Y, and Z input fields and press Enter. Click the button to clear the input fields.

   The Next point drop-down will be enabled, from which you can select one of the following coordinate entry modes:

   	Point Enter or pick the next point's coordinates.
   	Length, bearing and inclination Enter the length, compass direction, and inclination angle of the next line segment.
   	Relative offset Enter the next point's distance from the last point in the X, Y, and Z directions.

3. Enter or pick as many points as required to build a polygon using the preferred coordinate entry mode, or by clicking on the action plane.

   The point coordinates, length and angle, or plane relative offset will be displayed as the polygon is being created.

4. Right-click to complete the polygon.

5. Repeat the above steps to create another polygon.

6. Press Esc or click the button to exit the tool, or continue creating polygons.

Tip:  Create polygons while in top view , or use snap modes to ensure the polygon is created in the intended location.

1. Set up the action plane where you want to draw a line.

2. On the Create tab, in the Draw group, select 2D Line from the Line drop-down list.

   The panel will open, allowing manual input of coordinates for points. You can also select points in the view window.
   
   

3. Click in the view window to select the first point, or enter values manually in the X and Y input fields, then press Enter. Click the button to clear the input fields.

   Note

   • If an axis is normal to the action plane, that axis input field is disabled.

   • As soon as you start to draw a 2D line, the action plane is locked and cannot be moved until the 2D Line tool is closed.

   The Next point drop-down will be enabled, from which you can select one of the following coordinate entry modes:

   	Point Enter or pick the next point's coordinates.
   	Length and angle Enter the length and compass direction of the next line segment.
   	Plane relative offset Enter the next point's distance from the last point in the X and Y directions.

4. Enter as many points as required to build a line using the preferred coordinate entry mode, or by clicking on the action plane.

   The point coordinates, length and angle, or plane relative offset will be displayed as the line is being created.

5. Right-click to complete the line.

6. Repeat the above steps to create another line.

7. Press Esc or click the button to exit the tool, or continue creating new lines.

Note:  After you finish the line and exit the tool, the line is detached from the action plane. You can move it as required anywhere in 3D space.

1. Set up the action plane where you want to place a polygon.

2. On the Create tab, in the Draw group, select Polygon from the Polygon drop-down list.

   The panel will open, allowing manual input of coordinates for points. You can also pick points on the action plane.
   
   

3. Click in the view window to select the first point or enter values manually in whichever X, Y, and Z input fields are enabled and press Enter. Click the button to clear the input fields.

   Note:  If an axis is normal to the action plane, that axis input field is disabled.

   The Next point drop-down will be enabled, from which you can select one of the following coordinate entry modes:

   	Point Enter or pick the next point's coordinates.
   	Length and angle Enter the length and compass direction of the next line segment.
   	Plane relative offset Enter the next point's distance from the last point in the X and Y directions.

4. Enter as many points as required to build a polygon using the preferred coordinate entry mode, or by clicking on the action plane.

   The point coordinates, length and angle, or plane relative offset will be displayed as the polygon is being created.

5. Right-click to finish drawing the polygon.

   If the polygon is incomplete, the tool will automatically place a line from the last point to the first point, closing the shape.

6. Press Esc or click the button to exit the tool, or continue creating new polygons.
   
   

Note:  After you finish drawing the polygon and exit the tool, the polygon is detached from the action plane. You can move it as required anywhere in 3D space.

1. On the Create tab, in the Draw group, select Smart Line or Smart Polygonfrom the respective drop-down list.

   
   

2. Pick the first point in the view window. Build the line or polygon by picking the next points. Pick points close together to ensure that tracking covers all of the points.

   Note:  You can also enter point coordinates in the status bar. Click (Accept content) to accept each point.

   

   

   Tip

   • The smart line or polygon tool displays a preview of the next segment before you click to create it. Simply hover the cursor over a point to see where the segment would be placed.

     Preview of smart line segment while dragging mouse.

     
     

     Smart line segment created and new preview segment visible.

   • If the placement of the last segment is unsatisfactory, press Ctrl+Z or click the button to undo, then try another point.

   • If the smart segment cannot be placed satisfactorily, clear the Smart tracking option to create a straight segment between the last and next points. Select Smart tracking again to resume smart tracking.

3. When you have selected all the points to construct the smart line or polygon, click (Complete). A line will terminate at the last selected point and polygon will close with a straight line to the first point.

   Note

   A smart line may include self-intersections resulting from the path chosen by the software. When this happens, the following message is displayed.

   

   Click Yes to break the line into separate lines and loops, or No to create it as a single edge network.

4. Repeat to create another smart line or polygon.

5. Right-click, press Esc or click (Cancel) in the status bar to exit the tool.

Note:  This method of creating a smart line or polygon is memory-intensive and will take longer to complete.

1. View and select the scans.

2. On the Position and Filter tab, in the Scan group, click Connect.

3. Right-click on the scan, then hover over View and select Photographic Surface.

4. On the Create tab, in the Draw group, select Smart Line or Smart Polygon from the respective drop-down list, and proceed as for a primitive-tracking line or polygon.

1. On the Create tab, in the Draw group, select   Freehand Line from the Line drop-down list.

   The status bar will display the Start point fields. Enter the start point's coordinates or pick a point in the view window.

   

2. Move the mouse to draw the freehand line.

3. Click to finish the line.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to draw another line.

5. Click the button or press Esc to close the tool.
   

1. On the Create tab, in the Draw group, select Freehand Polygon from the Polygon drop-down list.

2. Either enter a specific location for a start point in the status bar or pick a spot where the polygon will begin, release the mouse button, then draw the polygon.

   

3. Left-click or right-click to complete the polygon.

4. Press Esc or click (Cancel) in the status bar to exit the tool, otherwise continue creating new lines.