The SmartCursor

VectorWorks' SmartCursorTM helps you quickly create precise drawings. The SmartCursor automatically finds important points near the cursor, and precisely snaps your cursor to those points. While doing so, it talks back, using cursor shapes, extension lines, text messages near the cursor (tool tips), and sounds. These cues tell you what points you are snapping to, and what makes them important points.

Constraints

Use the Constraints palette to tell the SmartCursor what types of points you want it to find.

To set constraints

    1. Single click on a constraint button to activate the constraint.

    2. Double-click (where available) to invoke a dialog box in which specific parameters can be entered for that constraint.

    3. Enter the desired criteria.

Snap to Grid

Snap to Grid tells the SmartCursor to snap to points on a grid that you set.

Double-click on the icon to set the grid spacing. Here is where you set the grid lines which appear on the drawing. Most people like to have the snap grid a little tighter than the reference grid which is drawn on screen. Take care to make the reference grid an even multiple of the grid, otherwise you won't be able to snap to the reference grid.

Snap to Object

Snap to Object tells the SmartCursor to find parts of objects such as corners, the endpoint, and arc centers. The SmartCursor will also find the centers of lines, polygons, and other linear objects. When possible, it provides cues which tell you what part of the object it is. Many types of objects have their own, special types of points which the SmartCursor knows about and can identify.

Constrain Angle

Constrain Angle only works when you are on the second point of a two point segment, such as a single line or side of a polygon. Two points define an angle. Constrain Angle asks the SmartCursor to find angles which you are interested in. Usually, the SmartCursor will find horizontal and vertical angles, as well as common angles such as 30°, 45°, and 60°. You can double click the icon to choose these angles, or ask for any other by typing it in.

Select the 30, 60 check box if you want the SmartCursor to find angles at 30° or 60°. The SmartCursor finds angle s with respect to any horizontal or vertical axis, so you get 30, 60, 120 (90+30), 150(90+60), 210 (180+30) and so on. Angles of 45° work the same way.

To specify another angle that you want the SmartCursor to find, use the alternate coordinate system. This feature called the alternate coordinate system because if you turn on the extension line option, extension lines are created which find alignment points at angle `x'. This is just like the horizontal and vertical extension lines. This feature makes it easy to work with things which are at angles to the page.

Type in your angle `x', and the SmartCursor will find angle x. Like 30, 60, and 45, the SmartCursor finds angles with respect to any horizontal or vertical axis, so you get x, 90+x, 120+x, and so on.

Snap to Intersection

The Snap to Intersection option tells the SmartCursor to find the intersection between two objects such as a line and a circle, or between parts of an object.

Smart Points

With the Smart Points constraint on, the SmartCursor remembers points on objects you snapped to before and finds new points which are aligned to them horizontally, vertically, or perpendicular to angled lines. When the SmartCursor finds these alignments, it draws a special hint, called an extension line, to show where the point is aligned to. A small box is drawn around the smart point to show you where it is. The SmartCursor remembers 8 object points, then begins forgetting the oldest points. To set a smart point, just move (gesture) the cursor over an object point while performing any operation. As soon as you see the object point hint, the SmartCursor has memorized the point.

There are several kinds of extension lines which the SmartCursor will use to find points aligned to smart points.

Horizontal / Vertical extensions. This option turns off the simplest and most useful type of extension line. Whenever the SmartCursor finds a point near the cursor which aligns with a smart point horizontally or vertically, it snaps to that point and provides an extension line hint, along with a small box to show the snap point.

The Angled Extension Lines option also provides snapping at right angles to any angle constrain found by the Constrain Angle option.

The Constrain Angle dialog also provides control over extension lines for the alternate coordinate system. The only reason it is in the Constrain Angle dialog box is to keep it together with the alternate coordinate system. The Smart Edge constraint provides control over extension lines perpendicular and parallel to the smart edge.

Sometimes it's useful to have the SmartCursor remember a point which isn't part of an object. Do this by finding the point with the SmartCursor and pressing the `G' key. This will set a special snap point called the Datum.

The Datum can be used like any other snap points, but it is special in several ways. The Datum has a small circle which is always around it to show where it is.

If a Datum is active, the data bar shows X and Y values from the Datum, not from the drawing origin. This is useful if you want to take measurements from a specific place.

The Datum has an option, called Datum Offset, which is similar to using a protractor in manual drafting. The Datum Offset locates points at the offset distance from the Datum, and will intersect them with other objects. A special cue, which looks like an extension line but is circular, will pop-up whenever this feature is active and the cursor is near the circle.

There are two ways to enter a Datum: by pressing the G key and by the Floating Datum option. The Floating Datum option moves the Datum any time the user snaps to a particular point and waits for several seconds. This option is no longer recommended as the G key is more efficient; however, it is still available.

Snap to Distance

With the Snap to Distance constraint on, the SmartCursor finds points at a selected distance along a line. It also works with polygon edges, wall edges, and other linear objects.

Double-click this button. In the Snap Distance dialog box that appears, you can set the distance using either a Fraction, Percent, or Distance. In addition, select the Multiple Division checkbox if you want the SmartCursor to repeat snap points on a line. For example, to snap every quarter inch, or every 1/8 of the length of the line.

It is important to note that SmartCursor measures from each endpoint to the center of the line. So if you have a 10 unit long line and set the distance to 6 units, it won't be found at all, since it is longer than half a line. Similarly, any fraction greater than 1/2 or less than 0 won't work.

Smart Edge (2D Only)

With the Smart Edge constraint on, the SmartCursor finds points on, or a certain distance away from, a specified edge. Double-click the icon to set the options in the Edge Snaps dialog box.

You may have either one or two smart edges available at one time. Check the Use 2nd Vector item to have two at a time. Like Smart Points, the SmartCursor forgets the old edge when you set a new one.

To set an edge, move the mouse over the edge and press the T key. If you choose the floating edge option, you may gesture over the edge to activate it. To gesture, move the cursor to the edge and move slowly along it's side. When the edge is activated, a Smart Edge extension line cue appears. The SmartCursor will intersect the extension line with other objects and snaps to find a number of points.

Set an offset in the Snap to Offset option, and the SmartCursor will automatically find points at a distance from the Smart Edge, on either side of the line.

The Snap to Bisector option will find points on the bisector between two smart edges, if they are active.

Turn on the Snap to Extension Lines option and extension lines are generated from smart points perpendicular and parallel to the smart edge.

Constrain Tangent (2D Only)

The Constrain Tangent option tells the SmartCursor to locate tangents to circle, arcs, and ovals. When drawing a line, it finds arc, oval, or circle tangents. It also locates circle/circle tangents. And finally, it will rubberband lines drawn from one circle/arc/oval to another to create a line tangent to both.

To rubberband, use the Line Tool and start the line on the edge of a circle or oval. As you move away, the end of the object should move around on the surface of the arc. Move the cursor over the second object to locate the second tangent. The cue will say `tangent/tangent' when you are tangent to both objects. Hold down the Option (Macintosh) or Control (Windows) key and the tangent will switch to the opposite side.

Constrain Working Plane (3D Only)

With the Constrain Working Plane option on, the SmartCursor always snaps/projects any points not on the Working Plane down to it's shadow point on the Working Plane. With this option off, the SmartCursor will find object points and snap to them even if they do not lie on the Working Plane.

Constrain Perpendicular (3D Only)

The SmartCursor automatically draws objects so that they are perpendicular to the Working Plane. This button is only active when the Working Plane is at an angle to the Ground Plane.

Data Display Bar and the SmartCursor

The SmartCursor can also be controlled using the Data Display Bar to lock down a precise value. Once a value is locked, moving the mouse will not change that value. Tab to the desired field, type a value into the Data Display Bar, and press the Enter key. The SmartCursor then locks the value and will no longer accept other conflicting values. For example, enter 10 for an X value and the SmartCursor will still find Y values, but X is always 10. Not all values displayed in the Data Display Bar can be locked, but most can. Editable values have an edit box around them.

An extension line appears when X, Y, delta X, delta Y, I, J, K, delta I, delta J, delta K values are locked. Once a value is locked, the SmartCursor will no longer find points off the line which represents that value. But it will find points on the locked line. Here are some hints. 1) Set the Smart Point constraint before locking any values. 2) Lock angles before locking length if you are going to lock both.

SmartCursor Cues

SmartCursor always works on the feedback segment created from the first to the second points.

Cue Explanation
Snap to Angle
Horizontal Feedback segment is horizontal.
Vertical Feedback segment is vertical.
I Feedback segment is parallel to rotated grid.
J Feedback segment is perpendicular to rotated grid.
Alt Feedback segment is parallel to alternative coordinate system angle.
Alt 90° Feedback segment is perpendicular to alternative coordinate system angle.
delta 45° Feedback segment is 45° from rotated grid.
delta 30° Feedback segment is 30° from rotated grid.
Perpendicular Feedback segment is perpendicular to an object.
Parallel Feedback segment is parallel to an object.
Symmetric Feedback segment is sketching out a square or circle.
Smart Point
-------------- Extension line is used for all smart point cues except Datum.
Align K Point is aligned with smart point parallel to K axis.
Align V Point is aligned vertically with a smart point.
Align I Point is aligned to I axis of rotated grid.
Align J Point is aligned to J axis of rotated grid.
Align K Point is aligned to K axis of rotated grid.
Align Edge Point is aligned to Smart Edge.
Align Edge 90° Point is aligned perpendicular to Smart Edge.
Align Alt Point is aligned to user coordinate system.
Align Alt 90° Point is aligned perpendicular to user coordinate system.
Datum Point is the Datum.
0 Circle around Datum.
Snap Along Line
Along Line Point is certain distance along line.
Data Display Bar
-------------- Extension line is used for locked X and Y values.
Angle Feedback segment is constrained to an angle.
Length Feedback segment is of a fixed length set in data bar.
Snap to Object
Arc Point is corner point of a polyline arc segment.
Bézier Point is corner point of a polyline Bézier segment.
Corner Point is corner point of a polyline segment.
Fit Point is corner point of a polyline cubic segment.
Arc End Point is end of an arc segment.
Bottom Center Point is on bottom center of rectangle or group.
Bottom Left Cursor is placed directly over this part of the object's boundary box.
Bottom Right Cursor is placed directly over this part of the object's boundary box.
Center Cursor is placed directly over this part of the object's boundary box.
Center Left Cursor is placed directly over this part of the object's boundary box.
Center Right Cursor is placed directly over this part of the object's boundary box.
Light, Aim, Pan, Tilt Point is on a light.
Locus Point is on locus.
Object Point is on an object's edge.
Point Point is on an object point.
Top Center Cursor is placed directly over this part of the object's boundary box.
Top Right Cursor is placed directly over this part of the object's boundary box.
Top Left Cursor is placed directly over this part of the object's boundary box.
Smart Edge
Bisector Point is on the bisector between two Smart Edges.
Edge Feedback segment is parallel to a Smart Edge.
Edge 90° Feedback segment is perpendicular to a Smart Edge.
Offset Point is a preset distance from a Smart Edge.
Surface Point is on a smart edge, but not on the object itself.
Snap to Tangent
Tangent Feedback segment is tangent to an arc.
Tangent/Tangent Feedback segment is tangent to two arcs.



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