Display full version of the post: Set New Point Relative to Other Point in Drawing?

Dave McKeen
28.03.2012, 03:42


Hello!  I'm using DraftSight but books I have on AutoCAD LT 2010 seem to cover it well.  I don't use it much though and am having a hard time remembering how to do something.  I want to place a point (a real point entity) in a 2D drawing at a  location x,y from some other point in the drawing.  I tried clicking on the reference point then entered @x,y for the entity point but I'm getting variable results.   What is the correct way of doing this?  Thanks very much!

heinsite
28.03.2012, 10:22
I know nothing about DraftSight but in AutoCAD there are several paths to your solution.  I'll give you a few, you take your pick if they apply to your software.
 
1.  You want a new POINT object x,y distance away from an existing point.  Add the two coordinates offsets to to your original coordinate to compute the x,y coordinate for your secont point and place your new POINT there.
 
2.  Draw a horizontal and vertical construction line (XLINE) thru your existing point.  Offset the horizontal line the distance you need for the new y coordinate and the vertical line the distance you need for the x.  Plot your new POINT at the new intersection of the two.
 
3.  If you know the distance and bearing to the new point use a LINE command starting at the existing point and enter @distance<angle.  Plot your new point at the far end of the line.  (Assumes this technique works with your program of course.)
 
4.  In AutoCAD one can do this all directly without construction lines.  For those others who might be reading, and using AutoCAD, follow along.  This is kind of cool as it involves using Temporary Tracking Points.  Make sure Object Snap and Object Snap Tracking have been turned on first however.
 
  a) Start the Point command
  b) Type TT <enter> to set up a temporary tracking point
  c) Hover your cursor over the existing POINT object and slowly draw the cursor in a horizontal direction toward where your new point will be (you'll need to know if it's to the left or right of course).  You should see a dashed green tracking line.  When you do, type in the horizontal distance between the two points.
  d) A new temporary green tracking point will show up on the screen at that x distance away from your original point.  Go near it with your cursor but DO NOT TOUCH IT! or you'll lose it and have to start over.
  e) Put the cursor above (or below depending) the temporary tracking point until you see another dashed green tracking line running vertically this time.  When the line shows up, type in the second (y) offset distance and hit <enter>.
 
Bingo.  Your second POINT will be placed.
 
That should hold you.  And trust me, once you learn how to do this it'll all happen WAY faster than I described it!
 
Dave.heinsite2012-03-28 10:38:38

Dave McKeen
29.03.2012, 01:11


Thanks very much Dave!  I appreciate the procedures.  I have them safely stored away for reference.  Meanwhile I found From in the Object Snap context Menu.  It works and it's simple!  Here's how it goes: :pointSpecify position>> fromBase point  [click the reference point in the drawing]Base point(Offset)  [now enter the relative coordinates, using @]Base point(Offset)@-18'10.5,-24'9.5 Done!!   Again, many thanks.  Don't know why this one is so well hidden.  I have two AutoCAD 2010 LT books and it's not in the index of either.  I (re)found it in a section on Point Filters!  - Dave 

heinsite
29.03.2012, 02:17
Thanks right back at you!  That's a cool find, and one I didn't know about either!  And it works with more than just points.  Any command you enter such as POINT, LINE, CIRCLE, REC, MOVE, or other that requires you to pick a starting point can use this tip.
 
Well done!
 
Dave.

Dave McKeen
29.03.2012, 02:43


Aloha!  You're welcome.  I was using "From" a year ago (for point entities and for entity starting points) and when I resumed working on my home irrigation drawing this week could not remember it.   BTW, if you know any AutoCAD ex-users having withdrawal symptoms tell them about DraftSight by Dassault Systems.  It's free and a dead ringer for AutoCAD 2D.    - Dave

heinsite
29.03.2012, 02:49
You had the right idea initially, but just a slight procedure error.  I spent a little time this afternoon looking thru an old copy of Ralph Grabowski's "Illustrated AutoCAD Quick Reference" and didn't turn up anything.  So it's a fairly well concealed command.  Handy tho'... one you'd think would get a lot of press actually.
 
I don't know any ACAD withdrawal users but I know a lot of cheapskates who might like to know about DraftSight!
 
Dave.