Proper snap setting to intersect a Draw Line to element when angle is locked?

I have a repetitive task where I must draw a line from a point at an angle and intersect another line. I've automated a few of the steps with keyins to activate the line tool at the correct angle whereby I can draw the line outwards and then intersect another line. I'm trying to do this with one click of the icon that runs the keyins, but there doesn't appear to be a snap setting that will allow me to tie to a line. This adds another step as I usually just end the line near where it should intersect and use the "Trim to Element" tool to connect. I have to do this a lot, so any reduction in steps helps to speed the process. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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  • Hi Bryan,

    I tried to think about even simpler workflow than what describes, but it seems that it's really the simplest way, that can be used generally: Only one tool is used, with one specific snap.

    If it does not meet your requirements or workflow, I recommend to share some examples (design file or at least a sketch), what do want to achieve. Also, please respect the best practices and specify what product (incl. exact version) do you use to ensure the are no doubts about environment and available tools.

    With regards,

      Jan

  • ok I think I have a work around 

    run the place line tool first   from the icon  or a F key etc with the keyin "place line", then tick the angle box and set your angle value into the box  ( you said you had lots times to use different angles.) .. then run this keyin 

    lv=PAVTBASE;lc=0;co=3;wt=2;E, PLACE LINE CONSTRAINED;%d;snap pointon

    then data point on the dot and  move the mouse near the end of the line and data point it will snap to point on via best fit solution to achieve the angle  if its not possible you will get a red X meaning no solution possible with the angle given.

    then reset to end the command

    you can the rerun the command  if you keyed it  in with the up arrow but if its in custom F key  just hit the F key but only if you want the same angle

     or set  the place line tool  in one F key and  set the other command in a Shift same F key

    alternative put Jan's full key in a F key and  edit the F key angle script   in the keyin every time you need to change the angle..

    Jan's solution is very good if you have a lot to do with the same angle.. but if you need to change the angle often  then do a whole bunch with the same angle my solution would work just as nicely but you have to give it the angle in a dialog box with the tick on to keep it active..

    My solution means you don't have to edit the keyin and this prevents user breaking it..

    However if your always going to use the same angle forever then put jans  keyin into a Custom F key and  go to town....

    A custom macro that you run and you could set the angle  or if no angle keyed in eg space bar would reuse the last angle set ( ie it remembers the angle used last time and use it instead) would be the ideal solution but if you do this often or a big enough project  then you should PAY a professional programmer to develop and build it for you .. it would be far more cost effective than trial and error while trying to learn vba on the fly... and you get to keep the vba as long as you want  to use it now and into the future... and your  unlikely to get anyone in the programming forum to do this for free as this is how they  make their living.. yes many have very generously published free tools but they are very generic to benefit the most users  like the custom Find replace text and many others  that Jon Summers has shared with us ... but in your case it  is just too specific to make it useful to many others ..  we would just do it by hand for one  or two times... in a lifetime ... 

    So a keyin we can cobble together is not something that will take a lot of a posters time  or is a bit of an intellectual challenge  was the best bet and  it paid off nicely  in Jans post and got me thinking to give you an other option to meet  your flexible situation...

    Cheers

    Lorys

    Started msnt work 1990 - Retired  Nov 2022 ( oh boy am I old )

    But was long time user V8iss10 (8.11.09.919) dabbler CE  update 16 (10.16.00.80) 

    MicroStation user since 1990 Melbourne Australia.
    click link to PM me 

Reply
  • ok I think I have a work around 

    run the place line tool first   from the icon  or a F key etc with the keyin "place line", then tick the angle box and set your angle value into the box  ( you said you had lots times to use different angles.) .. then run this keyin 

    lv=PAVTBASE;lc=0;co=3;wt=2;E, PLACE LINE CONSTRAINED;%d;snap pointon

    then data point on the dot and  move the mouse near the end of the line and data point it will snap to point on via best fit solution to achieve the angle  if its not possible you will get a red X meaning no solution possible with the angle given.

    then reset to end the command

    you can the rerun the command  if you keyed it  in with the up arrow but if its in custom F key  just hit the F key but only if you want the same angle

     or set  the place line tool  in one F key and  set the other command in a Shift same F key

    alternative put Jan's full key in a F key and  edit the F key angle script   in the keyin every time you need to change the angle..

    Jan's solution is very good if you have a lot to do with the same angle.. but if you need to change the angle often  then do a whole bunch with the same angle my solution would work just as nicely but you have to give it the angle in a dialog box with the tick on to keep it active..

    My solution means you don't have to edit the keyin and this prevents user breaking it..

    However if your always going to use the same angle forever then put jans  keyin into a Custom F key and  go to town....

    A custom macro that you run and you could set the angle  or if no angle keyed in eg space bar would reuse the last angle set ( ie it remembers the angle used last time and use it instead) would be the ideal solution but if you do this often or a big enough project  then you should PAY a professional programmer to develop and build it for you .. it would be far more cost effective than trial and error while trying to learn vba on the fly... and you get to keep the vba as long as you want  to use it now and into the future... and your  unlikely to get anyone in the programming forum to do this for free as this is how they  make their living.. yes many have very generously published free tools but they are very generic to benefit the most users  like the custom Find replace text and many others  that Jon Summers has shared with us ... but in your case it  is just too specific to make it useful to many others ..  we would just do it by hand for one  or two times... in a lifetime ... 

    So a keyin we can cobble together is not something that will take a lot of a posters time  or is a bit of an intellectual challenge  was the best bet and  it paid off nicely  in Jans post and got me thinking to give you an other option to meet  your flexible situation...

    Cheers

    Lorys

    Started msnt work 1990 - Retired  Nov 2022 ( oh boy am I old )

    But was long time user V8iss10 (8.11.09.919) dabbler CE  update 16 (10.16.00.80) 

    MicroStation user since 1990 Melbourne Australia.
    click link to PM me 

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