Relative Coordinates

In this Task 

• Relative coordinates will be used to define specific points in the editor.

Associated Tasks 

• Relocating the 0,0 drawing origin.

Before you Start 

• Select the LTE Workspace from the start-up option.
• Start a new drawing using the New from Template option. Select the Student 2D template or use the sample drawing for this Session.

Take Note 

• When using Relative coordinates, a red marker This red marker will always indicate the 0,0,0 position in the editor when using the Relative Coords mode. will appear at the last given point in the editor.
• To fix the origin at this point, use Options | Advanced Preferences | Fixed Relative Origin.
• The instructions for this task apply to the LTE menu and Workspace, however Video Animation for the LTE and Ribbon Workspace is provided below.

The LTE Workspace

The LTE workspace provides an interactive workspace by allowing commands to be input via a command console and dynamic input fields.The Command Line palette is the interactive area at the base of the editor where a command or instruction using the command name or its alias (abbreviated short cut) is input.When working in the LTE workspace, the Command Line palette is displayed using the Command Line palette icon at the top left of the editor, just above the drawing area.The Command Console must be activated prior to inputting typed commands. To do this, either click into the Command Console area, or use the TAB keyboard key. A small vertical bar will flash in the Command Line area when activated.Inputting the command name or alias into the Command Line is identical to selecting the instruction from a menu, toolbar or palette.

Navigate here for more information on the LTE Workspace.

Switching to the LTE Workspace and Menu from the Default Menu

Select Tools | Workspace | Customize then from the Default Workspace style, select the LTE Workspace shown by point 1 below.

Select any of the LTE menus shown by point 2 below.

Select Load From shown by point 3 below.

Click Close.

Loading the LTE menu

Switching to the LTE Workspace and Menu from the Ribbon Menu

Select Workspace | Customize then from the Default Workspace style, select the LTE Workspace shown by point 1 above.

Select any of the LTE menus shown by point 2 above.

Select Load From shown by point 3 above.

Click Close.

To activate the Command Console

Activate the Command Line Palette from the toolbar at the top left of the editor.

Activating theDynamic Input Fields

Activate the Customize button  then select Dynamic Input, shown by point 1 below.

Activate the Show Input Fields shown by point 2 below. These fields will allow dynamic input of lengths and angles in the editor, at the location of the cross hairs.

Activating the Input Fields

Drawing with Relative Coordinates

LTE Menu and Workspace : Modes | Coord System | Relative

Palette : Tools | Palettes | Panel Setup | Coord System | Relative Coordinates

 

This system of coordinates always moves the origin of 0,0 to the last indicated position in the editor.This means the calculation of the next point always assumes the last position was 0,0.When using Relative Coordinate input, a red dot is always displayed at the last point indicated in the editor. This point will always be 0,0.

Activate Relative Coordinate mode using Modes | Coord System | Relative. A small red maker will appear at a random point in the editor. The red marker will always indicate the 0,0 in the drawing.

Select the Line tool from the Draw menu or input L into the Command Line palette. Draw two intersecting center lines, making the vertical line approximately 70 and the horizontal line approximately 115, shown below. Use the data in the dynamic input fields as a reference but if preferred, the lengths and angles can be typed directly into these fields. Use the TAB keyboard key to access and cycle through these fields.

Relocate the Origin

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LTE Menu and Workspace : Modes | Coord System | Relocate Origin

Palette : Tools | Palettes | Panel Setup | Coord System | Relocate Origin

By relocating the origin in the editor, all subsequent measurements are calculated from this point when using Relative coordinates.

In this task, a rectangle will be drawn using coordinates which are offset from the intersection of the center lines. To do this, the Origin must be relocated to the intersection of the center lines.

Select Modes | Coord System | Relocate Origin and use the Intersection snap mode to target the intersection of the center lines. A red marker will automatically be visible on this intersection.

Using theCoordinateInput Fields

The coordinate input fields differ from the Length, Angle and Size fields of the Inspector Bar in that they allow precision placement of objects using X-Y coordinates in the editor.

In the illustration above, it can be observed that the origin of the drawing is positioned at the intersection of the center lines. Thus the drawing of the rectangle can be done by referencing this point as follows :

• The rectangle measures 85 x 40.
• The lower left corner of the rectangle can be started at a reference point of X = -42.5 and Y = -20
• The upper right corner of the rectangle can be drawn to Size A = 85 Size B = 40 using the data fields of the Inspector Bar.

Select the Rectangle tool from the Sketch menu, then use SHIFT TAB to access the coordinate fields and input the X-Y values shown below.

Use SHIFT-TAB to access the coordinate fields

Press Enter after the -20 value is input. Use the TAB key to access the Size A and B fields of the Dynamic Input fields and input 85 and 40 respectively, shown below.