Precise angles

[DODGE]

Hi All
Can anybody tell me how to draw a line at a precise angle.
I know this might sound basic stuff to you experts, but it's driving me crazy as I draw lots of angled stuff.
When I draw a line I have my DYN on so I can see the angle on screen, but it's very hard to draw an exact angle with the mouse.
EG: Say 22.5 or 33.2 Degrees.
I would like to draw the angle with the mouse and DYN on, and then
just type something to give me the exact angle I want.

Thanks for any help.
D :wink:

[slcan7091]

line ent
you will choose your first point after write @20(this is length of line)<32.5(this is your angle)
you will write only in red.

[DODGE]

Thanks SLCAN
I tried this and it works fine, except it doesn't give me exact angle.
EG 42.5 becomes 43 or 22.5 becomes 23.
Is there a setting I need to tweek to get exact angles.
Thanks D

[dbroada]

I suspect AutoCAD is drawing it correctly but you aren't measuring it well enough. Type UNITS and check your precision setting. Add a few more decimal places and check again.

[DODGE]

Thanks dbroada
Tried this with units and still no luck.
I have drawn an angle at 22.5 and when I dimension
it's 23. when ever I do this 22.5 or 33.5 it rounds up.
What am I doing wrong???
D

[dbroada]

mmm, same here when dimensioned, but OK if listed.


got it.
get the properties up for the angular dimension.
under primary units there is an "Angle precision" that can be set to a couple of decimal places.

or in Dimension Style under Primary Units is an Angular dimensions setting (don't think I've used that before)

[DODGE]

I did that ok in properties for angular dimension and it worked fine.
But I don't want to have to get the properties up for each angular dimension and change it. I also tried the dimension style primary units
for the angular dimension but this didn't work. I tried this first infact.
I need it to just dimension the correct way first time. Changing all my angular dimensions after Iv'e inserted them is not really an option.
Thanks Dodge...

[dbroada]

I have no idea why changing in the Dimension style doesn't work for you but once you have set it somehow you can use format painter to update all the others.

Its good this cross continent assistance isn't it? You can soon go home (I guess - it must be late in Melbourne!) and by the time you start tomorrow an American might have a nicer solution.

[Boro Nut]

I..you can use format painter to update all the others.

See. I'm not the only one who says 'Format Painter' when I mean 'Match Properties'

He's right though. It's just AutoCAD rounding off in accordance with your dimensions settings. It's only doing what you didn't know you'd told it to.

Unless you want to create a separate dimension style for fractional dimensions or to set your standard dimension style to display all angular dimensions to 1 or more decimal places, it's easier to enter the dimension and change the precision (ie the decimal places to display) afterwards using the properties manager (CTRL+1). Then use the 'Match Properties' (paintbrush icon) to apply that style to any other dimensions you want to be displayed the same way. Obviously if you always want dimensions to display that way it's better to amend your standard settings.

Boro Nut

[yedan]

right hand click you angular dimension and set the precision to .00 and then it should show correctly

[iain9876]

use degrees minutes and seconds....

[rkmcswain]

Hi All
Can anybody tell me how to draw a line at a precise angle.
I know this might sound basic stuff to you experts, but it's driving me crazy as I draw lots of angled stuff.
When I draw a line I have my DYN on so I can see the angle on screen, but it's very hard to draw an exact angle with the mouse.
EG: Say 22.5 or 33.2 Degrees.
I would like to draw the angle with the mouse and DYN on, and then
just type something to give me the exact angle I want.


If you have dynamic input turned on, then you DO NOT need to type in the @20<32.5 stuff.

I have attached two images.

In the first image, this is what you will see when you start a LINE for example.

Press TAB and then your keyboard input will move to the angle field. Enter the angle and press TAB again. Now the angle is "locked" (as shown in the second image) - then you can either drag the cursor -or- enter a distance to complete the line.

The units precision shown in the distance and angle fields is controlled by the UNITS command (not in Dimension settings)

Lastly, you are free to use whatever angle measurement that you want, but simply using DMS (as suggested) won't get you any more precision than entering the angle in any other mode.

[Mr T]

Good clear, response.

Nick