Rectangle.png Rectangle

Introduction

The Rectangle function is used to create rectangles using sketching, data entry, or a combination of both.

 

Dynamic Drawing

Rectangle supports Dynamic Drawing which allows you to use data entry and/or sketching to create rectangles. After sketching a rectangle, it becomes the active entity. The active entity displays in the current Entity color, but displays with a greater line thickness to make it easier to identify. The active entity can then be modified using data entry. The benefit of Dynamic Drawing is that you can quickly sketch a rectangle to get the approximate result and then use data entry to update it to exact coordinate values as needed.

 

Active Entity

ActiveRectangle.png

 

Snap Increment

Rectangle supports the use of the snap increment when selecting the origin location or, when using the Sketch Free option, the corners of the rectangle. The snap increment allows you to get precise results when using mouse selection and helps to reduce data entry modifications.

 

To learn more, view Snap Increment.

Navigation

To open Rectangle, do one of the following:

 

 

 

 

The parameters display in the DataEntryTabIcon.png Data Entry tab of the Data-CAM Tree Manager.

The Data Entry Parameters

CheckBoxSelected.png Select the check box to set the sketch mode to require two clicks, one for each opposing corner to define the rectangle. The snap increment applies when you select for each corner of the rectangle.

CheckBoxCleared.png Clear the check box to set the sketch mode to require one click to place the Origin of the rectangle using the current Length and Width values. The snap increment applies when you select the origin location using the mouse.

 

Corner Type

 

Origin

The Origin determines the coordinate location of the rectangle using the XYZ coordinates of the active UCS. The selected origin location determines where the origin is on the entity (also called the reference location).

 

Reference Location

The Rectangle function allows you to set the origin to the center or any corner or side of the rectangle. The XYZ coordinates determine the location of the selected origin/reference location.

 


IMPORTANT:     The XYZ coordinates are in reference to the active UCS, or user coordinate system.


 

Quick Steps - Rectangle

Dynamic Drawing Method

1      Open the function and click a snap point or anywhere in the graphics area to set the origin of the rectangle.

 

When you select the Sketch Free check box, you click to select the two opposing corners of the rectangle in the graphics area (the origin location in the Data Entry Manager does not apply in this scenario).

 

With either method, you can modify the snap increment value or turn it off while selecting locations with the mouse.

 

2      This is now the active entity, which means that it is not fully defined.


IMPORTANT:     After sketching a rectangle, it changes from the Preview color to the current Entity color, but displays with a greater line thickness (than existing entities) to show that it is the Active entity. You can then modify the Data Entry parameters to update the active entity.

 

ActiveRectangle.png

 


 

3      Dynamic Drawing allows you to update the Data Entry parameters to modify the active rectangle.

 

After updating the Data Entry parameters, to finish the active entity, you can click OK or start sketching the next rectangle.

 

When you don't need to update the Data Entry parameters, you can just click to start the next rectangle.


NOTE:      There are many ways to finish the active entity: click OK, press Spacebar, or click in the graphics area to start the next rectangle.


 

4      Repeat this process for all rectangles that you want to create.

 

5      To close the function, click Cancel.

 

Data Entry Method

You can also create rectangles using only data entry.

 

1      Open the function and define all Data Entry parameters needed for the first rectangle.

 

2      Click OK to create the rectangle.

 

3      Update the Data Entry parameters, and click OK to create the next rectangle.

 

4      Repeat this process for as many rectangles as needed.

 

5      To close the function, click Cancel.

Related Topics

The CAD Overview