User guide

NC EXPRESS e³ drawing
Version 19.1 or up
Issue 120003 / 1.0 2019-04-23
 NC EXPRESS e³ drawing User guide

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NC EXPRESS e³ drawing User guide

Contents
1. - Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1 - Drawing tab. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
1.1.1 - Selecting a drawing function (toolbars). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
1.2 - Allow selection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.2.1 - Selecting elements for Copy and Move functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.3 - Lock geometry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
1.4 - ESC key. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.5 - Additional features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.5.1 - Insert pattern. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.5.2 - Bolt hole. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
1.5.3 - Grid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
1.5.4 - Grid parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1.6 - Evaluator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2. - Drawing functions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.1 - Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.2 - Arcs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
2.3 - Circles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
2.4 - Rectangles. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
2.5 - Notches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2.6 - Trims. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.7 - Move. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2.8 - Copy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
2.9 - Text. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.10 - Measure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
2.11 - Modify commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3. - Snap modes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
3.1 - Snap mode descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
3.2 - Using construction lines (Construct). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

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1. Introduction
NC Express's drawing function is a tool designed to unify part development and the CAM software.
Many features in the drawing function give a flexible and efficient working environment.

NC Express is used for the CAM to create NC programs for CNC equipment. NC Express's
integrated drawing function will let you draft all types of parts. During the process of drafting and
programming there are some connectivity items that must be explained to help better the drafting
process.
• Selecting a drawing function
• Allow selection
• Lock geometry
• Escape key to exit a function

1.1 Drawing tab

This tab includes the drawing tools.

ID93107

1. Smoothen the geometry.

2. Change the top side of the part. The geometry and tooling will be mirrored and the direction
of the bends and other features will be reversed. Also the Turn over property is reversed.

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3. Insert fixed tooling from the pattern library.

4. Create a bolt hole pattern.
5. Create a grid pattern.
6. Create a common-line part pattern.
7. Zoom to window.
8. Zoom back.
9. Zoom to show all the entities.
10. Measure the distance.
11. Measure the distance from point to point.
12. Show data about the selected item.
13. Allow the selection.
14. Polygon selection.
15. Select geometry.
16. Move the selected items.
17. Drawing workspace.
18. Drawing tools.
19. Status bar.
20. Snap options.
21. Draw construction elements.
22. Lock the current snap option.

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1.1.1 Selecting a drawing function (toolbars)

To select a drawing function, click the Drawing tab in the main toolbar. The drawing toolbars will
show on the left side of the NC Express drawing window. When you first open the Drawing tab, you
only see one toolbar to the left. After you select a function from the toolbar, one more function
specified menu will come into view. The snap options will open to the right.

Main drawing functions:

• Line*
• Arc*
• Circle*
• Rectangle*
• Notch*
• Trim*
• Move (Manipulate)*
• Copy*
• Text*
• Measure*
• Undo
• Redo
• Delete
• Delete selection
• Delete construction lines
• Construction to real lines

ID120238

* An additional toolbar will come into view to show all the options for that function type.

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1.2 Allow selection

The Allow selection feature lets you select a geometry and tooling. This is the main connection
between the drawing and CAM of NC Express.

Selection enabled.

Selection disabled.

NOTICE
When the drawing toolbars are hidden, the Allow selection button will be
activated automatically.

1.2.1 Selecting elements for Copy and Move functions

When the Allow selection icon is set active, you can select geometry for tooling or editing. The
geometry can be selected for copying, moving, mirroring, or deleting. There are four procedures to
select elements when the Allow selection is active:
• Single element: Click on an element. To remove the selection of an element, click on
something out of the element.
• Multiple elements: To select multiple elements, hold down the shift key and select the
elements.
• Rectangular selection: Use the mouse to draw a box around the elements.
◦ The elements must be fully in the box if you draw the box from left to right.
◦ If you draw the box from right to left, all the elements that touch the inside of the box will
be selected.
• Polygon selection: Draw a polygon around the elements.

1.3 Lock geometry

The geometry locking procedure is the same in drawing as it is on the CAM side. When you must
delete tooling and keep the geometry in the part, lock the geometry. Then you can delete tooling,
and the geometry is preserved.

Geometry is locked.

Geometry is unlocked.

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1.4 ESC key

When a function is selected in NC Express, it can stay active. To deactivate or cancel the currently
active function, click the ESC key on the keyboard.

1.5 Additional features

On the Drawing tab, there is a group Features which includes four useful features for drawing.
These items are: Insert pattern, Bolt hole, Grid, and Grid parts. When you select one of them, a
dialog opens for related data.

NOTICE

The snap modes can be used with these additional features.

1.5.1 Insert pattern

You can select an existing CP file and insert it in the existing part. With this feature, you can save
for example hole patterns or corners with tooling as CP files in a folder and later use them again.
1. Select Drawing – Insert pattern.
2. Click the mouse button on the point where you will add the saved pattern.
3. Select the CP file where the pattern to be added is and click Open.
4. The pattern is added.

1.5.2 Bolt hole

Create a bolt hole pattern to the part.

1. Select Drawing – Bolt hole.
2. Click the mouse button on the point where you will add the bolt hole pattern.
3. The Bolt hole dialog opens. Define the shape and dimensions of the hole.

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ID128807

1.5.3 Grid

Create a grid pattern to the part.

1. Select Drawing – Grid.
2. Click the mouse button on the point where you will add the grid pattern.
3. The Grid dialog opens. Define the shape and dimensions of the hole.

ID128808

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1.5.4 Grid parts

1. Use the CAD function to import a geometry file or make a drawing.
2. Save the part without tooling.
3. Select the Drawing tab.
4. Push the button Grid parts.
5. Do the steps below in the dialog box.
6. Autotool the part as you do with a standard part.

• If you read the properties of the common line part, you will see the
alias name of the original part and how many parts are included in this
grid.
• To prevent tolerance problems, do not make the grid too large.

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1. Select the style of the common line.

2. Number of rows and columns in the grid
pattern.
3. Show the grid pattern.
4. Show the original part.
5. Prepare a common line part for punching.
◦ Distance between parts in the X
direction.
◦ Distance between parts in the Y
direction.
6. Push the button Prepare.
7. Prepare a common line part for laser
cutting.
◦ Change the value of the beam width if
necessary.
◦ Change the value of the extension if
necessary. This extension is useless
for further tooling of the common line
part.
8. Push the button Prepare.
9. Prepare a common line part for shearing.
10. Select the parting tool.
11. Push the button Prepare.
12. Create a new external contour.
13. Number of parts in the X direction.
14. Total length in the X direction.
15. Micro-joint width in geometry.
16. Undo the changes.
17. Use a mouse click to add a bridge (micro-
joint).
18. Save the common line part with a different
name.

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1.6 Evaluator

A keypad is given to allow numerical input with the mouse and/or the keyboard.

ID120239

The evaluator is used to give values for some drawing functions or simply to calculate an equation.
The evaluator has all the amenities of a typical calculator (square root, sine, cosine, etc.).

Backspace

Clear input line

Last measured value

When you use drawing, one or two values will be necessary to do some of the functions. If only
one value is necessary, the evaluator will automatically come into view and ask for the value. If two
values are necessary, a dialog with two fields will show.

Adjacent to each field, there is a button for the evaluator. Click the button to calculate
an equation. If no calculation is necessary, you can give the values directly in the
dialog with the two fields.

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2. Drawing functions
Get access to the drawing functions through the toolbar buttons. The toolbar operates as a two-
level system: the first column contains the main functions (Lines, Arcs, etc.), the second one is the
subfunction of the selected main function. Most functions stay active until you choose some other
function. The current function and the prompts are shown in the status bar.

ID125378

When a point is asked for, it is shown in the bottom right corner of the status bar. To define the
points, click on the drawing area or choose a snap mode function.

2.1 Lines

Select Lines in the drawing toolbar.

1. Line 2 points: Prompt for point 1 and point 2. If the layer is a construction,
the line will be projected to the bounds.
2. Line to point: Set the first snap point and the second line will
automatically ask only for the end point of the line.
3. Parallel element – distance: Line parallel to a line with a given distance.
Click the line on the specified side and then give the distance. Note: only
one click selects the entity and chooses the side.
4. Parallel element – point: Line parallel to a line through a point. Select the
line segment and then define the distance with the snap function. The
parallel line will be duplicated at the given distance.
5. Double parallel lines: Two lines parallel to a given line. Touch the line
and give the distance.
6. Common tangent: Tangent common to two circles. There are four
possible tangents. The touch point on the circles determines which
tangent is drawn. To create an Obround, draw two circles and two
common tangents. Then use the Cut 2 points function to remove the parts
off the circles.
7. Line to construction line: Extend a line to the set boundary.
8. Angle to line: Draw a construction line at an angle at a given point on the
selected element.
9. Bisector of 2 lines: Draw a construction bisector at an angle.
10. Construct cross at point: Draw a construction line cross at the selected
snap point.
11. Construction line: Draw a construction line at a given snap point and at
ID124776 an angle.
12. Trace: Trace a construction line to the line. First, select the snap point and
element. Then, select the end point.

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13. Tangent to circle at angle: Draw a tangential construction line at a given

angle to the selected circle.
14. Tangent to circle at point: Draw a tangential construction line at a given
snap point.

2.2 Arcs

NOTICE
The radius is always positive. If there is ambiguity, the system will show all
the possible solutions one at a time.

ID120287

You can see all the solutions. Click OK when you have the one you will use. Pushing Cancel
rejects all solutions.

Select Arcs in the drawing toolbar.

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1. 3 point arc: Arc defined by three points.

2. Semicircle: Semicircle defined by two points. Note: there are two possible
solutions.
3. Arc center and 2 points: Arc specified by center and then two points.
Note: there are two possible solutions.
4. Arc 2 points and radius: Arc specified by two points and radius. Note:
there are four possible solutions.
5. Arc center, radius and 2 angles: Arc specified by center, radius and two
angles. Note: there are two possible solutions.
6. Arc center, start point and subangle: Arc specified by center, start point
and then subtended angle. Note: the clockwise angles are negative,
counterclockwise positive.
7. Arc point, radius and subangle: Arc specified by start point, start angle,
radius and then subtended angle.
8. Parallel element – distance: Parallel arc with a given distance. Touch the
specified side and give the distance. If on the inside, the distance must be
ID124847 less than the radius.
9. Parallel element – point: Parallel arc through a given point.

2.3 Circles

Select Circles in the drawing toolbar.

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1. Circle center and diameter: Circle specified by the center point and then
the diameter.
2. Circle 2 points and diameter: Circle specified by two points on the
diameter.
3. Circle 3 points: Circle specified by three points.
4. Circle center and point: Circle specified by the center point and a point
on the circumference (diameter).
5. Circle 2 points and radius: Circle specified by two points on the
circumference and the radius. Note: there are two possible solutions.
6. Tangent to 1 element and 2 points: Circle through two points tangential
to a line.
7. Tangent to 1 element, point and radius: Circle specified through a point
with a given radius and tangential to a line or arc. Note: there can be two
solutions.
8. Tangent to 1 element and center: Circle with a given center tangential to
an arc or a line.
9. Circle tangent 2 elements: Circle tangential to two elements with a given
radius. Note: there can be two solutions.
10. Tangent to 3 elements: Circle tangential to three lines.
11. Circle tangent 2 elements: Circle tangential to two elements with a given
radius. Note: there can be a maximum of eight solutions.
12. Parallel element – distance: Concentric circle. Touch the correct side of
ID124908 the designated circle and give the offset distance.
13. Ellipse: Ellipse specified by center, major axis, minor axis and angle of
major axis to the horizontal. The ellipse is immediately replaced by 12
arcs.

2.4 Rectangles

Select Rectangles in the drawing toolbar.

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1. 2 point rectangle: Rectangle specified by two points.

2. Rectangle point, width and height: Rectangle specified by one point and
then length and width.
3. Rectangle 2 point rounded: Rectangle with radius corners specified by
two points and radius.
4. Rectangle point, width, height and radius: Rectangle with radius
corners specified by one point, length, height, and radius.
5. Rectangle center, width and height: Rectangle specified by center point
and then length and width.
6. Rounded rectangle – center point, width, height and radius:
Rectangle with radius corners specified by center point and then length,
width, and radius.
7. Obround: Obround specified by center point, width, height, and angle.
ID125009

2.5 Notches

Select Notches in the drawing toolbar.

For the first four notch functions, the side of the element must be specified first and then the point
at which the notch will be put.

1. Rectangular notch: Give the width and height.

2. V notch: Give the width and height.
3. Angle V notch: Give the width and angle.
4. U notch: Give the width and height.

ID125015

For the next two notches, you must choose two elements to define the position of the notch.

1. Corner notch: Touch two lines and define the distance along each line.
The first click shows distance 1 and the second distance 2.
2. Loop: Touch two lines and then define the radius.

ID125016

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2.6 Trims

Select Trims in the drawing toolbar.

1. Trim 2 lines: Select two elements to be trimmed. These will be trimmed at

the intersection point.
2. Trim element against element: Trim one element against the other. Click
on the part of the element to keep. There are two possibilities:
▪ If the second element intersects (or can intersect) the first one, the
first element will be made shorter.
▪ If the second element does not (or cannot) intersect the first one, the
first element will be made longer.
3. Extend: Extend an element to a point. The point must be on the extension
of the element. This function can be used to close gaps where applicable.
ID125204 But if this condition is not met, then use Trim element against element, add
a line, or replace the element.
4. Cut 2 points: Cut an element between two points which must be on the
element. Click on the part of the element to delete.
5. Split element: Split an element at a point. The point must be on the
element.

For the next two trims, you must choose two elements to define the position of the notch.

1. Fillet: Touch the two elements and then define the radius. It is not
necessary for the element lines to intersect.
2. Chamfer: Define two lines and then give the two distances from the
intersection point. Distance 1 is equal to the distance on the first element
selected and distance 2 to the distance on the second element. It is not
necessary for the two lines to intersect.
ID125205

2.7 Move

When you use the Move functions, you must first select the elements to be moved. To select an
element before you choose the Move function, activate the Allow selection icon in the toolbar.

Select Move in the drawing toolbar.

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1. Move: Move items from one point to the other. Give the points From point
and Second point.
2. Mirror in Y: Mirror the element(s) in the Y direction. Select the element(s)
and define a point to show where the mirror axis will be.
3. Mirror in X: Mirror the element(s) in the X direction. Select the element(s)
and define a point to show where the mirror axis will be.
4. Mirror in axis: Mirror the element(s) defined by two points that create the
axis.
5. Rotate: Rotate the selected items from the defined snap point. Select the
point and then give the rotation angle.
6. Move origin: Possibility to move the 0, 0 origin point in all positions in the
set limits.
7. Scale: Scale the selected elements in the X and/or Y direction with a
given value for each.
ID125208
8. Stretch: Stretch the selected element. To select the object, use a crossing
window selection. The crossing window must include a minimum of one
line or end point. Select the start point for the stretch and then select the
end point to define the distance and direction.

2.8 Copy

When you use the Copy functions, you must first select the elements to be copied. To select an
element before you choose the Copy function, activate the Allow selection icon in the toolbar.

Select Copy in the drawing toolbar.

1. Single copy: Copy the selected item to the specified location. Give the
points From point and To point.
2. Mirror copy in Y: Copy the element(s) and then mirror in the Y direction.
Select the element(s) and then define a point to show where the mirror
axis will be.
3. Mirror copy in X: Copy the element(s) and then mirror in the X direction.
Select the element(s) and then define a point to show where the mirror
axis will be.
4. Mirror copy in axis: Copy and mirror the element(s) defined by two points
that create the axis.
5. Grid copy: To make a grid of the selected element(s) throughout a part,
define the quantity in the X and Y direction and then the spacing.
6. Polar copy: To make a polar copy of the selected element(s) around a
point, define the number of times the element(s) will be copied and the
angle between each copy point. The initial point will be the center point of
ID125313 the polar grid, while the angle (spacing) between the element(s) will be
dependent on the center point (radius).

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7. Linear copy: Make a linear copy of the element(s) along a line. When you
use snap modes, From point and To point must be defined. The evaluator
will ask for the number of element(s) to be copied.
8. Offset: Offset copy for a selected closed contour.

2.9 Text

Select Text in the drawing toolbar.

1. TrueType font: Draw a TrueType font at the selected snap point.

2. Easy font: Draw an easy font (block capitals) at the selected snap point.
Simple font for fast marking.

ID125317

2.10 Measure

Select Measure in the drawing toolbar.

When you use the Measure functions, the snap points can be used for the points that are not the
end of an element. If the end point is the chosen point, it is not necessary to select snap mode End
point.

1. Measure angle: Measure the angle between two intersecting points.

2. Measure distance: Measure the distance between two points. The dialog
box shows the angular distance (D), X-axis, and Y-axis distance.
3. Measure element: Verify the properties of a selected element.

ID125319

ID125379

▪ After you activate Measure element, select a line. Then the properties
for the line will come into view and show the length and angle
together with the start and finish coordinates.

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ID125444

▪ When an arc is selected, the radius is shown and when a circle is

selected, the diameter. For arcs and circles, the radius or diameter
can be modified in the properties dialog for quick modifications of the
geometry.

Evaluator The evaluator (calculator) comes into view.

2.11 Modify commands

1. Undo: Undo the last element created. It is possible that there is no one-to-
one correspondence between a function and an element, e.g. Double
parallel lines. Each undo command will reverse some other element.
2. Redo: Redo the last undo function.
3. Delete: Activate this button and click on items to delete them.
4. Delete selection: Delete the selected element(s).
5. Delete construction lines: Delete all the construction lines.
6. Construction -> Real: Turn the construction lines to real geometry.
Activate this button and click on each construction line to be converted to
real geometry.

ID125320

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3. Snap modes
For most drawing functions in NC Express, it is necessary to use a snap mode to do the function
and get an accurate placement of the point. For every function selected, there is a point that must
be selected. The bottom status bar shows the X and Y coordinates, the currently active function,
and what type of selection the drawing looks for (e.g. first point, element, center, etc.).

ID125378

For example, when a two-point line function is selected, give the first point, click it and then give
the second point to finish the line. During this process, a snap mode (point) will be necessary to
make the first and the second point.

On the right side of the drawing window you see all the snap modes. To select each snap mode,
click the mode in the toolbar or use the keyboard shortcut keys. Each shortcut key together with a
description of the snap mode is given in the section that follows.

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3.1 Snap mode descriptions

Snap mode Description Shortcut

Select the last point of the previous element drawn

CURRENT U
to be the first point of the new object.
You can select a free point anywhere in the drawing
FREE POINT F
area. The snap function is off.
Select the nearest end point of the selected element.
END POINT E
This snap mode is active by default.
INTERSECTION Select the intersection of two selected elements. I
CENTER Select the center of a selected arc or circle element. C
You can give the absolute X and Y coordinates
ABSOLUTE A
related to the CAD origin 0, 0.
You can give the X and Y coordinates related to the
RELATIVE R
last point of the previous element drawn.

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 NC EXPRESS e³ drawing User guide

Like RELATIVE, but you can manually select the

relative point.
INDIRECT D
1. Give the relative X and Y coordinates.
2. Then show the relation point.
Draw an element tangent to an arc or circle from the
starting point.
TANGENT T
This function cannot be used as the first point of an
element!
Select the midpoint of the selected element, arc, or
MIDDLE M
line.
Use as the second point of a line element. The
second point will be in the horizontal intersection of
the selected element.
HORIZONTAL H
1. Select the first point.
2. Select Horizontal, then select the intersecting
segment.
Use as the second point of a line element. The
second point will be in the vertical intersection of the
selected element.
VERTICAL V
1. Select the first point.
2. Select Vertical, then select the intersecting
segment.
Draw a perpendicular line to the selected element.
1. Select the first point of a line.
PERP. (Perpendicular) P
2. Select the element where to draw the
perpendicular line.
Draw a line at an angle from the current point to a
selected element.
ANGLE 1. Select the first point of a line. G
2. Give the angle.
3. Select the element where to draw the line.
1. The first mouse click sets the end point of the
selected element to the X coordinate of the first
point (P1).
X(P1)Y(P2) Y
2. The second mouse click sets the end point of
the selected element to the Y coordinate of the
first point (P2).
Find a quadrant point of an arc or circle nearest to
the cursor click (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°).
CIRCLE AXIS X
Click the arc or circle, and the closest quadrant point
is selected to be the snap point.

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This snap point is related to the last point of the

previous element drawn.
POLAR O
1. Give the distance R.
2. Give the angle theta.
When Nearest is selected and you click an element,
NEAREST the snap point will be the nearest position in the S
selected element.
The snap point is in a fraction between two points.
1. Give a fraction value, e.g. 0.5.
2. Select two points, when the end point snap is
on.
• If the fraction is < 1, the snap point will be
between the selected points.
FRACTION N
• If the fraction is > 1, the snap point will not be
between the selected points.
• Positive fraction value: the snap point will be in
the same direction as the second point.
• Negative fraction value: the snap point will be in
the opposite direction from the second point.
The snap point is at a given distance (± directions)
from the end of the selected line.
ALONG L
1. Give the distance.
2. Select the line element.
CAD AREA
Not a snap mode. When CAD AREA is selected, none of the snap modes are on.

3.2 Using construction lines (Construct)

Construction lines can be created during all the drawing functions. When you create construction
lines, these are created in a different layer specified for the construction layer. The drawing
construction layer can be hidden, locked, or deleted like all the others.

To add a construction line, check the Construct box below the snap modes menu. When activated,
you can then draw construction lines. The primary function of the construction lines is to define a
point in a part. Construction lines can be useful, although there are many different types of snap
modes.

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