Controls

Description

Controls used to perform input, selection, unit conversion and arithmetic.

Access

From numerous commands

Controls

The following controls are available.

Control	Description
Bearing	Bearing from the reference vertex. Type the required value. Using the mouse, pick two vertices in the model view that define the value. Using the mouse, pick a line segment in the model view that defines the value. The vertex closest to the pointer is the start vertex. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. D : Decimal degree G : Gradian R : Radian Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key. Up and Down arrow keys increase and decrease the value by 90°. The type of bearing (Azimuth, Grid, Plane or Local Plane) is defined in the Units option.
Default Height	Displays the currently configured Default Height. The default height is assigned to vertices.
Distance	Linear distance Type the required value. Using the mouse, pick two vertices in the model view that define the value. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. M : Metre F : International foot U : US survey foot L : Link Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key. Input feet and inches in the format #.#.#.# (for units, see note below) 52.5.3.8 = 52'5 3/8" 52.5.0 = 52'5" 52.5 = 52.5 in the current project units. 52.5f = 52.5' The type of distance (Grid, Ellipsoid, Ground or Local Plane) is defined in the Units option.
Easting	East coordinate. Type the east coordinate value. Using the mouse, pick a vertex in the model view that has the required value. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. M : Metre F : International foot U : US survey foot L : Link Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key.
Easting Difference	Difference in the easting coordinate. Type the difference in the easting direction. Using the mouse, click two vertices in the model view whose difference in easting is equal to the value required. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. M : Metre F : International foot U : US survey foot L : Link Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key.
Grade (1:)	Grade from the reference object, expressed as a ratio. Type the required value. Using the mouse, pick two vertices in the model view that define the value. Using the mouse, pick a line segment in the model view that defines the value. The vertex closest to the pointer is the start vertex. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Evaluate arithmetic by pressing the = key.
Grade (%)	Grade from the reference object, expressed as a percentage. Type the required value. Using the mouse, pick two vertices in the model view that define the value. Using the mouse, pick a line segment in the model view that defines the value. The vertex closest to the pointer is the start vertex. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Evaluate arithmetic by pressing the = key.
Grade From Line/Pipe	Height is computed using the grade of the line or pipe segment. A value is not required.
Height	Height to be assigned to vertices. Type the required value. Using the mouse, pick a vertex in the model view that has the required value. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. M : Metre F : International foot U : US survey foot L : Link Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key.
Height Difference	Height difference from the reference object. Type the required value. Using the mouse, pick two vertices in the model view that define the value. Using the mouse, pick a line segment in the model view that defines the value. The vertex closest to the pointer is the start vertex. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. M : Metre F : International foot U : US survey foot L : Link Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key.
Latitude	Latitude of the vertex. Type the required value in the angular format specified in the Unit Options. Using the mouse, pick a vertex in the model view that has the required value. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. D : Decimal degree G : Gradian R : Radian Evaluate unit conversions by pressing the = key. Note: Enter a negative value for south latitudes.
Line	Line to use. Type the unique identifier of the line in the form id:Unique id. Using the mouse, pick a line in the model view. The vertex closest to the pointer is the start vertex.
Line or Alignment Segment	Line segment to use when defining a tangent. Type the unique identifier of the line and segment in the form id:Unique id \| Segment number. Using the mouse, pick a line segment in the model view. The vertex closest to the pointer is the start vertex and determines the direction of the line.
Longitude	Longitude of the vertex. Type the required value in the angular format specified in the Unit Options. Using the mouse, pick a vertex in the model view that has the required value. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. D : Decimal degree G : Gradian R : Radian Evaluate unit conversions by pressing the = key. Note: Enter a negative value for west longitudes.
Name	Name of the object. Type the name of the object. Click to find the next available automatically incremented name.
Northing	North coordinate. Type the north coordinate value. Using the mouse, pick a vertex in the model view that has the required value. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. M : Metre F : International foot U : US survey foot L : Link Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key.
Northing Difference	Difference in the northing coordinate. Type the difference in the northing direction. Using the mouse, click two vertices in the model view whose difference in northing is equal to the value required. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. M : Metre F : International foot U : US survey foot L : Link Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key.
Object	An object identifier. Type the unique identifier in the form id:Unique Id. Type the name of the object. Using the mouse, pick an object in the model view. For controls that accept multiple object types enter the object unique identifier in the form Object type \| id:Unique Id or Name. For example: Lin\|Id:37 or Pnt \| T1000.
Offset	Offset from the reference object. Type the required value. Using the mouse, pick two vertices in the model view that define the value. Using the mouse, pick a line segment in the model view that defines the value. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. M : Metre F : International foot U : US survey foot L : Link Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key. A negative value indicates left of the reference object.
Reference Line	A line defined by two locations. For some tools, the line is continuous. Type the first and second vertices using the name in the format name--name. Type the first and second vertices using the vertices unique identifiers in the format id:Unique Id--id:Unique Id. Using the mouse, pick two vertices in the model view that define the reference line. Using the mouse, pick a line segment in the model view. The line segments start and end coordinate defines the reference line. Press Ctrl, then using the mouse, click in the model view to pick two locations on the reference line.(Available when appropriate)
Reference Plane	A three dimensional plane defined by three vertices, from which measurements are made. Type the three vertices using the name in the format name--name--name. Type the three vertices using the vertices unique identifiers in the format id:Unique Id--id:Unique Id--id:Unique Id. Using the mouse, pick three vertices in the model view that define the reference plane.
Rotation	Angle of rotation from horizontal. Measured positive clockwise or negative counter-clockwise. Type the required value. Using the mouse, pick two vertices in the model view that define the value. Using the mouse, pick a line segment in the model view that defines the value. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. D : Decimal degree G : Gradian R : Radian Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key. Up and Down arrow keys increase and decrease the value by 90°.
Terrain Model	A terrain model. Type the unique identifier in the form id:Unique id. Type the name of the terrain model. Select a terrain model from the list. Using the mouse, pick a terrain model in the model view.
Vertex	Vertex unique id or point name. Type the point name. Type the vertex unique identifier in the form id:Unique id. Using the mouse, pick a vertex in the model view. When applicable you can input a range of points in the form point name..point name.
Vertical Angle	Vertical angle from the reference object. Type the required value. Using the mouse, pick two vertices in the model view that define the value. Select a line segment that defines the value. The vertex closest to the pointer is the start vertex. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. D : Decimal degree G : Gradian R : Radian Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key. Up and Down arrow keys increase and decrease the value by 90°.
X	X value in a user reference frame. Type the X value in the selected user coordinate system. Using the mouse, point to the vertex in the model view that has the required value and click the left mouse button. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys.
Y	Y value in a user reference frame. Type the Y value in the selected user coordinate system. Using the mouse, pick a vertex in the model view that has the required value. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys.
Z	Z value in a user reference frame. Type the Z value in the selected user coordinate system. Using the mouse, pick a vertex in the model view that has the required value. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys.
Zenith Angle	Zenith angle from the reference object. Type the required value. Using the mouse, pick two vertices in the model view that define the value. Select a line segment that defines the value. The vertex closest to the pointer is the start vertex. Basic arithmetic can be performed using + - * / keys. Unit conversions can be performed by adding a unit character after the value. D : Decimal degree G : Gradian R : Radian Evaluate unit conversions and arithmetic by pressing the = key. Up and Down arrow keys increase and decrease the value by 90°.

Object Types

For a control where multiple object types can be picked and an object type is required, type one of the following:

Object Type	Description
Pnt	Point
Lin	Line
Ply	Polygon
Blk	Block
Shp	Shape
Txt	Text
Img	Image
Dtm	Terrain Model
Aln	Alignment

Notes

When using informative mouse cursors, indicates a control can be filled automatically by clicking on an object in the work area with the same value.
Default units for a control is defined in the Units option.
These controls are used in numerous places but operate in the same way in each location.
If feet and inches are entered into the distance field, the units are assumed to be International feet unless the current project units are configured to:
- US Survey foot
- Clarke's foot
- Indian foot
in which case units are assumed to be the project units.
You can tentatively pick an object while filling a control.
While tentatively picking an object to fill a control (using the right mouse button method), to accept a valid value do one of the following:
- Click the left mouse button.
- Click another control on the same page.
- Click another tool window.
While tentatively picking an object to fill a control (using the Alt key), to accept a valid value
- Release the Alt key.
- Click another control on the same page.
- Click another tool window.
When using tentative pick to fill a bearing or distance control, once the first vertex is accepted, you must complete the entry with another vertex. Press Esc to discard the first vertex.
When using a mouse to pick objects, the modify operation is carried out immediately after all controls have been filled with valid values.
Press Ctrl, then click in the model view to insert the location of the mouse pointer in to a control. Do this to insert approximate bearings, distances or coordinates, or to input a reference line.
When using the keyboard to type values in a control or when operating on a selection of objects, click OK or press Enter to modify the object.
When typing values from a reference file use the format Reference File Name | value.
~ is an identifier for a location or a vertex that has not yet been created.