Precision Input Key-ins

Precision input is a method of entering data points with the keyboard. Using this method, you can specify the exact location of a data point by specifying any of the following:

• design plane coordinates, the distances along the x-axis and y-axis (and z-axis in 3D) from the global origin, which has the coordinates “0,0” (“0,0,0” in 3D).

• distance and angle relative to the view x-axis, from the most recently entered tentative point or data point.

• distances, along the design plane axes, from the most recently entered tentative point or data point.

• distances, along the view axes, from the most recently entered tentative point or data point.

Using AccuDraw to enter data points is generally superior to using precision input key-ins.

The Data Point Key-in dialog box is used to enter precision input key-ins.

To open the Data Point Key-in dialog box to enter a single precision input key-in

1. With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press <P>.
   After you enter the key-in, the dialog box automatically closes.

To open the Data Point Key-in dialog box to enter multiple precision input key-ins

1. With the focus in the AccuDraw window, press <M>.
   After you enter a key-in, the dialog box remains open.

Although you can enter key-ins in the Key-in window, it is easier to use the dialog box. The dialog box has an option menu for choosing the type of key-in (for example, DX=). When you enter the key-in, its type becomes the default.

Locks do not affect data points entered with precision input. The following table summarizes precision input key-ins:

Key-in	Alternate Key-in	Distance from	Along
POINT ABSOLUTE	XY=	Design plane origin	Design plane axes
POINT DELTA	DL=	Last tentative or data point	Design plane axes
POINT VDELTA	DX=	Last tentative or data point	View axes
POINT DISTANCE	DI=	Last tentative or data point	Relative to view x-axis

For more information about precision input key-ins, see Precision input key-ins in 3D.

To enter a data point at specific coordinates in the design plane

1. In the Data Point Key-in dialog box, key in POINT ABSOLUTE x,y or XY=x,y.
   x and y are the x- and y-coordinates, respectively.

   Absolute. “GO” denotes the Global Origin; xd and yd denote the DGN file x- and y-axes.

AccuDraw does not provide a means for entering a data point in this manner.

To enter a data point at a distance from the last tentative point or data point and angle relative to the view x-axis

1. In the Data Point Key-in dialog box, key in POINT DISTANCE d,Q or DI=d,Q.
   d is the distance from the most recently entered tentative point or data point and Q is the angle relative to the view x-axis.

   Relative. “P” denotes the last data or tentative point, xv the view x-axis, and Q the angle.

To enter a data point at distances along the design plane axes from the last tentative point or data point

1. In the Data Point Key-in dialog box, key in POINT DELTA x,y or DL= x,y.
   x and y are the distances along the design plane x- and y-axes, respectively.

   Distance. “P” denotes the last data or tentative point; xd and yd the DGN file x- and y-axes.

To enter a data point at distances along the view axes from the last tentative point or data point

1. In the Data Point Key-in dialog box, key in POINT VDELTA x,y or DX=x,y.
   x and y are the distances along the view x-axis and y-axis, respectively.

   Distance. “P” denotes the last data or tentative point; xv and yv the view x- and y-axes.

Precision input of relative coordinate values

When you use the XY = x,y,z key-in, you can specify relative coordinate values as well as absolute values. That is, you can specify that the new value either is the exact value as given, or that it is plus or minus a specified distance from a snap point. You do this by using the “#” symbol to indicate “the current value of the coordinate.” The syntax for these key-ins is:

• # — means leave the coordinate x,y, or z value as is.

• #10 — means add 10 to the current value of the x, y, or z coordinate.

• #-10 — means subtract 10 from the current value of the x, y, or z coordinate.

The following examples illustrate the use of the # symbol in these key-ins:

• XY=#,10 — (2D) keep the same x value, but make the y value 10.

• XY=#,10 — (3D) keep the same x value, but make the y value 10, and the z value 0.

• XY=#,#10 — (2D) keep the same x value but add 10 to the y coordinate.

• XY=#-10,#20 — (2D) subtract 10 from the x coordinate and add 20 to the y coordinate.

• XY=#10,#10,50 — (3D) add 10 to the x and y coordinates and make the z coordinate 50.

You can use key-ins that incorporate the # symbol in the Data Point Keyin dialog box also.

To move a vertex in a line string to a Z value of 10

1. Select the Modify Element tool.


2. Snap to the vertex to be moved.


3. Key in xy=#,#,10
   The vertex is moved to a z value of 10, while leaving the x and y coordinates at their current value.

Syntax notes

The syntax of precision input key-ins includes provisions for the following:

• Specifying the view in which the data point is entered. The view number optionally follows the last coordinate, distance, or angle.

  For example, the key-in XY=,,1 enters a data point at the global origin of the design plane in View 1. The equivalent key-in in 3D is XY=,,,1.

• Entering multiple data points. A number following a “|” character at the end of a precision input key-in indicates how many data points to enter. (The default is 1.)

  For example, the key-in DL=15|3 enters three data points at incremental distances of 15 master units from the last tentative point or data point.

  AccuDraw does not provide a means for entering multiple data points in this manner.

• An omitted value in a precision input key-in is assumed to be 0.

  For example, the key-in DL=,5:4 is equal to DL=0,5:4.