Using the EnterPoint Tool

The EnterPoint command allows quick entry of drawing coordinates with precision whenever a point is requested.

The dialog box contains a numeric keypad for coordinate entry, an option to extend this point relative another point and a display showing the point’s equivalent Polar coordinate.

Coordinate

On the Coordinate tab, entering a point using the numeric keypad is simply achieved by selecting an X, Y or Z edit-box and typing in the required digits. Alternatively a particular coordinate can be selected with the X, Y and Z buttons.

When the relative point check box is set, the point entered in the X, Y and Z edit boxes is added to the Relative point and displayed as the Absolute point. The relative point can be set (via the Options tab) to always show the last point selected and may be re-selected by clicking the Relative point button.

The value displayed as the Absolute point is returned by the Enter point dialog when the OK icon_hatch_specify_entities button is selected. The Pick Point button cancels the dialog allowing normal selection of a point.

Direction

The Direction tab displays options for inputting a point using polar coordinate.

By entering digits into the Angle and Distance edit-boxes, the equivalent Cartesian coordinate is displayed at the Absolute point (when the relative point box is unchecked). The eight direction buttons make entering commonly used angles quicker.

Alternatively an angle or distance can be picked from the screen using the Angle and Distance buttons. Both the angle and distance values can be set with a single pick by setting Input Angle and Distance together from the Options tab (see below).

Options

The Options tab provides particular behavior for certain buttons and fields within the EnterPoint dialog box.

Options include:

  • Remain on-screen: When unchecked, closes the dialog on the OK button. When checked, only the Cancel button closes the dialog.

  • Input Angle and Distance together: When checked, inputs both the angle and distance when either an Angle or Distance button is selected.

  • Preset Relative to Last point: When checked, automatically updates the Relative point field to the last point selected.

Access

Command: EnterPoint

Menu: Tools > EnterPoint