Knowledge Base

Sketch-It 3.0 - Drawing the Area

Once you define your Area and select Create, Sketch-It is in the Create Area Mode. While you are creating your area, Sketch-It displays the Area Close Mode Bar which monitors the distance necessary to close the Area at all times. The X variable indicates the horizontal distance, while the Y variable shows the vertical distance. TOT shows what the length would be to close the area by drawing a direct straight line from the current point to the POB.

While in the Create Area Mode the cursor will either be:

  • A cross-hair: Move the cross-hair to move to a new location; no line is drawn.
  • A pen: Move the pen to draw a line.

The Enter key or the left mouse button toggles to move from the cross-hair to the pen, however once you start an Area, the cursor will remain a pen until the area is closed.

1. Make sure you are in the Create Area Mode.
2. Move the cross-hair to the location where you want to begin your area.
3. Enter to set the pen down.
4. Draw by any of these three methods:

  • Enter the length of the line on the keyboard, followed by a directional arrow, then press "Enter".
  • Move the directional arrow keys. Each press of an arrow moves the pen 1 foot one foot. Each press of the arrow with the shift key held down moves the pen 0.1 feet (one-tenth foot).
  • Move the mouse. When you move the mouse, you draw in whole foot increments. Click the mouse to change the increment to 0.1 (one-tenth) foot movement. Click again to anchor the line. Alternately, you may draw in 0.1 foot increments by holding down the shift key while moving the mouse.

Note: Using the direct keyboard method is often the most efficient way to draw.

Placing Dimensions
You decide when you set the Attributes of the Area whether the dimensions are placed on the Sketch after each line is drawn.

The method of placing dimensions depends upon whether the Auto Anchor feature is turned on or off. If the Auto Anchor feature is on, each dimension is Anchored at its Smart Position. If the Auto Anchor feature is turned off, each Dimension has to be manually Anchored. The dimension is positioned or moved by either using the mouse or the directional arrows.

Selecting an Area to be the Active Area
Select an Area to be made Active by any of these three methods.

First Method
1. Choose Area then Select on the Menu. The cursor turns into a line.
2. Move the arrow into the area you want to select and double-click.

Second Method
1. Click Select Area on the Tool Bar. The cursor turns into a line.
2. Move the arrow into the area you want to select and double-click. 

Third Method
1. Select the Area from the Drop Down List Box on the Layer and Area Mode Bar.
2. Note that the third method directly selects the Active Area.


See Also
Drawing Angles and Arcs

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Last Updated
August 27, 2010