Dynamic input overridden by snapping

[Anonymous]

Here's the situation: say I've got a baseline, and I want to draw a new 10' polyline along that baseline (both the start and end vertices are ON the baseline). Using dynamic input, I first click the location of the first vertex, then I enter a length of 10', and then I snap onto the baseline, typically using the nearest command. 

SOMETIMES, it works as intended. The length of the new polyline is 10', regardless of where I snap onto the baseline in order to set the direction of the polyline. However, sometimes, even though I have entered a length of 10', the length of the line changes to wherever I snap onto the baseline. 

What is the relevant setting here? I want the length of the line to stay the length I enter regardless of where I click to determine the orientation of the line. 

Thank you in advance!  

[beyoungjr · Accepted solution]

Hi,

It sounds like you are creating a line onto an existing line.  That's OK I just need to be sure I'm addressing the question correctly.

I will make a few recommendations...

• Direct-Distance-Entry is the coordinate entry method that simply means you can set your start point and move your cursor in any direction, type a distance and hit enter to accept the second point.
• Dynamic Input is the "Heads Up" interface that AutoCAD gives us to see and enter prompted data in the drawing area.
• Polar Tracking is the drawing tool which allows us to create start/end vectors at predetermined angle increments (much better than the old Ortho IMO).  This also allows you to distance yourself from an existing OSNAP by tracking away from it.
• Object Snap (OSNAP) is the drawing tool which allows us to set certain lock points for the cursor to find when hover on or close to existing object defined points.  There are only 6 of these OSNAPs that I recommend students to keep locked in (endpoint, midpoint, center, quadrant, intersection, and extension).  When a user wishes to negate any of these or focus on another OSNAP I recommend shift-right-click prior to selecting a position, allowing selecting of an OSNAP override.  Nearest is often troublesome IMO.
• Snap is the drawing tool that forces your cursor to behave as though it will only move on preset X or Y increments.

I don't mean to throw basics at you if you are familiar but I wanted to provide some separation in these before suggesting a fix.

It sounds like you are starting a line on an existing baseline (maybe endpoint or tracked away from endpoint).  You then should be positioning your cursor in the desired direction from the start point, typing 10', and hitting Enter.  If you see any other OSNAP indicator appearing as Dynamic Input then you might be getting overridden.  I'd suggest exaggerating your cursor movement in the desired direction to avoid an existing OSNAP point.  Also avoid nearest.

Hope this helps.

Blaine

[Anonymous]

Thank you! I read up a bit on DDE and I think I have got it sorted now... 

If I point my cursor in the desired direction (even using Nearest), then enter the length, it works. I had been used to entering the distance, hitting tab, and then specifying the direction. Which worked often but not always.

Thank you! 

[beyoungjr]

Glad you are working it out.

BTW... using TAB simply allows you to jump between the heads up boxes or fields.  Sometimes that a distance and angle, sometimes is an X and Y.  The intent of TAB was to fully evolve from typing @Anonymous'<0 to get a 10' line at zero degrees (as an example).

Thus 10' in the first box and 0 (zero) in the second.

Have a great day.