Coordinate classes

To speed up the setting of the coordinate system, coordinate classes are used in . A class of coordinates is characterized by the following properties: origin of the coordinate system, units of coordinate measurement, snap settings, visible grid settings.

Tip:
The coordinate classes can be selected in the Coordinate system bar.

To add a coordinate class

Click the New class button and type in the name of the new class.
Open the class group by clicking the button and set all parameters.

To delete a coordinate class

Select the class to be deleted.
Click the Delete class button.

Coordinate origin

The origin of the reference system is normally located in the lower left vertex of the page (coordinate point 0.0). This section allows you to redefine the point of origin of the rectangular grid by creating a system of coordinates relative to a given point in the workspace. For example, a relative coordinate system is useful when drawing component footprints.

Use default coordinates: If this option is enabled, the coordinate system origin corresponds to the one set in the Default coordinate class. To set a new origin, disable this option and set the values of the X and Y origin fields.

X Origin: Set the horizontal coordinate of the origin point of the rectangular grid that defines the new relative coordinate system. The value must refer to the absolute origin located in the lower left vertex of the page.

Y Origin: Set the vertical coordinate of the origin point of the rectangular grid that defines the new relative coordinate system. The value must refer to the absolute origin located in the lower left vertex of the page.

Snap grid

To improve the speed and efficiency of your drawing, you can view and snap to a rectangular grid. The grid is a rectangular dot or line pattern that extends over the specified area as the grid boundary. Using Grid mode is like placing a sheet of graph paper under a drawing because it makes it easier to align objects and to see the distance between them. Snap mode limits pointer movements to user-defined intervals. When this mode is enabled, the cursor appears to adhere to an invisible rectangular grid. Snapping is particularly useful for specifying precise points using the pointing device.

Active: Specifies whether the grid snap is active for this coordinate class. During a drawing operation, you can temporarily deactivate the Grid Snap mode by pressing the F8 key.

X Snap: Set the interval between the vertical lines of the grid.

Y Snap: Set the interval between the horizontal lines of the grid.

Angle snap

Angle snap limits cursor movement to certain angular increments. Once the angle of snap is set, the cursor snaps at 0 degrees and moves in increments of the specified angle. For example, if the snap angle value is 15 degrees, the cursor snaps at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, and so on.

Active: Specifies whether the angle snap is active for this coordinate class. During a drawing operation it is possible to temporarily deactivate the angle snap mode by pressing the F9 key.

Snap angle: Set the interval for the angle snap.

Snap length

The Length Snap acts in conjunction with the Angle Snap and limits the cursor's movements to certain distances from the center of the angle.

Active: Specifies whether the length snap is active for this coordinate class.

Snap length: Set the interval for the length snap.

Visible grid

The visible grid is a rectangular dot or line pattern that extends over the drawing area. Using a visible grid is like placing a sheet of graph paper under a drawing. The grid makes it easier to align objects and display the distance between them. The grid is not printed.

Use the options in this section to set the origin point and spacing of the visible grid. Display settings can be set in Document Properties » Page » Visible Grid Style or in the Visible Grid dialog box.

Origin

Horizontal coordinate of origin: Specify the horizontal coordinate of the visible grid origin.

Vertical coordinate of origin: Specify the vertical coordinate of the visible grid origin.

Step

Horizontal grid pitch: Specify the distance between the vertical lines of the grid.

Vertical grid pitch: Specify the distance between the horizontal lines of the grid.

Divisions

At certain intervals, lines with different colors, called grid main lines, are displayed.

Grid steps for each horizontal division: Specify every how many steps of the vertical grid, must be displayed a main dividing line.

Grid steps for each vertical division: Specify every how many steps of the horizontal grid, must be displayed a main dividing line.

Units of measure

Length

Units of measurement for lengths: Select the unit of measurement for the lengths.

Number of decimals for lengths: Specify the number of decimals.

Angle

Unit of measurement for angles: Select the unit of measure for angles.

Number of decimals places for angles: Specify the number of decimals.