topic Reference Starting Point in Modeling

Reference Starting Point

Zdenko — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:07:12 GMT

ac27

have been struggling to get consistent workflow on placing items from a reference point and then key-in a distance. in this example i want to start placing a line 11 units away from a selected reference point. i select the line tool and select my reference point to start from but nothing else allows me to key-in 11? there are times i get the input tool for D, X, Y etc. and times i don't get it. this is also true when i am working with doors, windows or walls? any suggestions, i have exhausted google search and nothing seems to come up.

Re: Reference Starting Point

CosminF — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:21:06 GMT

Hi,

You mean value input from the tracker? You may sometimes switch (even accidentally) between polar coordinates (with distance/ angle) and absolute (with x/y) with "/" key.

Or are you referring to the new feature, distance guides?

https://help.graphisoft.com/AC/27/INT/_AC27_Help/030_Interaction/030_Interaction-65.htm

Re: Reference Starting Point

Barry Kelly — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 01:20:16 GMT

Make sure the tracker tool is active (turned on).

Activate the line tool and hover the mouse over the point you want to measure from (do not click).

Type 'X' or 'Y' (depending on the direction you want to go), then type the distance followed by '+' or '-' (again depending on the direction you want to go), then 'Enter'.

That should establish the start point, now complete the line.

You can also use 'A' if you want a specific angle rather than horizontal or vertical (X or Y).

Barry.

Re: Reference Starting Point

Zdenko — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 14:56:11 GMT

thank you both. i am familiar with "distance guides". my gripe is what barry describes but works inconsistently between different files or the same file. not sure what is going on but extremely frustrating.