Line Commands¶
VektorCAD provides multiple line commands accessible from Toolbar > Draw > Line:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
 LINE |
Draw connected line segments by specifying points |
 PLINE |
Create a polyline (connected line/arc segments as a single entity) |
 PARALINE |
Draw a line parallel to a selected entity |
 PERPLINE |
Draw a line perpendicular to a selected entity |
 ANGLELINE |
Draw a line at a specified angle |
 BISECTORLINE |
Draw a bisector of the angle between two lines |
 TANLINE |
Draw a tangent line from a point to a circle/arc |
 TANTANLINE |
Draw a tangent line between two circles/arcs |
 XLINE |
Create an infinite construction line in both directions |
 RAY |
Create a construction line in one direction |
 XYLINE |
Draw a reference line with X and Y labels |
LINE Command¶
Creates a series of contiguous line segments. Each segment is an individual line entity that can be selected and edited separately.
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Specify start point | Sets the starting point of the first segment |
| Specify next point | Sets the endpoint of each subsequent segment |
Keywords¶
While specifying the next point, these keywords are available:
| Keyword | Description |
|---|---|
| Angle | Specify angle first, then length — places the next point at an exact angle and distance |
| Distance | Specify length first, then angle — places the next point at an exact distance and angle |
| Close | Connects the last point back to the first point (available after 3+ points) |
| Undo | Removes the most recent point without ending the command |
How to Use¶
- Run the LINE command
- Click or type coordinates for the start point
- Click or type coordinates for each next point — a rubberband line preview follows the cursor
- Use keywords (
Angle,Distance,Close,Undo) as needed - Press Enter or Escape to end the command
Command: LINE
Specify start point: 0,0
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Undo]: @100,0
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Close/Undo]: @0,50
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Close/Undo]: Close
Angle Keyword¶
Specify the angle first, then the length:
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Close/Undo]: Angle
Specify the angle: 45
Specify the length: 100
Distance Keyword¶
Specify the length first, then the angle:
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Close/Undo]: Distance
Specify the length <100>: 80
Specify the angle: 30
Input Methods¶
| Method | Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse click | Click on sheet | Segment to cursor position |
| Absolute coordinates | 80,120 |
Segment to X=80, Y=120 |
| Relative coordinates | @30,40 |
Offset 30 in X, 40 in Y from last point |
| Polar (distance + angle) | 50<45 |
50 units at 45 degrees from last point |
Precision Aids¶
| Aid | Effect |
|---|---|
| Ortho (F2) | Constrains to horizontal/vertical |
| Grid Snap (F9) | Snaps to grid intersections |
| Entity Snap (F3) | Snaps to Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, etc. |
| Entity Track (F4) | Alignment guides from snap points |
PARALINE Command (Parallel Line)¶
Draws a line parallel to an existing line or polyline segment.
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Select line Entity | Pick the reference line (line, polyline segment, or section line) |
| Specify start point | Click the start point — a preview shows the parallel line |
| Specify length | Enter or pick the length along the parallel direction |
How to Use¶
Command: PARALINE
Select line Entity: (pick a line)
Specify start point: (click)
Specify length: 150
PERPLINE Command (Perpendicular Line)¶
Draws a line perpendicular to an existing line or polyline segment.
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Select line Entity | Pick the reference line |
| Specify start point | Click the start point |
| Specify length | Enter or pick the length in the perpendicular direction |
How to Use¶
Command: PERPLINE
Select line Entity: (pick a line)
Specify start point: (click)
Specify length: 80
ANGLELINE Command (Angle Line)¶
Draws a line at a specified angle.
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Enter angle | Specify the angle in degrees |
| Specify start point | Click or type the start point |
| Specify length | Enter or pick the length along the angle direction |
How to Use¶
Command: ANGLELINE
Enter angle: 45
Specify start point: (click)
Specify length: 120
BISECTORLINE Command (Bisector Line)¶
Draws the angle bisector between two intersecting lines.
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Select line Entity (×2) | Pick two intersecting lines |
| Select Reference line | If two bisectors are possible, pick the one you want |
| Specify start point | Click a point on the bisector |
| Specify length | Enter or pick the length |
How to Use¶
Command: BISECTORLINE
Select line Entity: (pick first line)
Select line Entity: (pick second line)
Select Reference line: (click near the desired bisector)
Specify start point: (click)
Specify length: 100
TANLINE Command (Tangent Line)¶
Draws a tangent line from a point to a circle, arc, ellipse, or spline.
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Select point | Specify the external point |
| Select Circle / Arc / Ellipse Entity | Pick the curve to draw the tangent to |
How to Use¶
Command: TANLINE
Select point: (click or type coordinates)
Select Circle / Arc / Ellipse Entity: (pick entity)
The nearest tangent line is automatically selected based on your pick location.
TANTANLINE Command (Tan-Tan Line)¶
Draws a tangent line common to two circles, arcs, ellipses, or splines.
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Select Circle / Arc / Ellipse Entity (×2) | Pick two curve entities |
| Select line | If multiple tangent lines exist, pick the one you want |
How to Use¶
Command: TANTANLINE
Select Circle / Arc / Ellipse Entity: (pick first entity)
Select Circle / Arc / Ellipse Entity: (pick second entity)
Select line: (click near the desired tangent)
XLINE Command (Construction Line)¶
Creates an infinite construction line extending in both directions through a point at a specified angle. The line is clipped to the sheet boundaries.
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Enter angle | Angle of the construction line |
| Input point | Click points to place xlines (repeats until Enter/Escape) |
How to Use¶
Command: XLINE
Enter angle <0>: 45
Input point: (click)
Input point: (click another point for another xline)
Input point: [Enter]
RAY Command¶
Creates a construction line from a point extending in one direction at a specified angle. The line is clipped to the sheet boundary.
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Enter angle | Direction of the ray |
| Input point | Click points to place rays (repeats until Enter/Escape) |
How to Use¶
Command: RAY
Enter angle <0>: 0
Input point: (click)
Input point: [Enter]
XYLINE Command (XY Reference Line)¶
Draws a horizontal reference line with X and Y text labels at the endpoints. Useful for dimensioning and projection drawings.
Prompts¶
| Prompt | Description |
|---|---|
| Specify start point | First point of the XY line |
| Input end point | Second point (the line is projected horizontally) |
How to Use¶
Command: XYLINE
Specify start point: (click)
Input end point: (click)
The command creates a horizontal line between the start and end X coordinates, with "X" labeled at the start and "Y" at the end.
Examples¶
Draw a Rectangle with LINE¶
Command: LINE
Specify start point: 0,0
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Undo]: @100,0
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Close/Undo]: @0,50
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Close/Undo]: @-100,0
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Close/Undo]: Close
Draw a Triangle Using Angle Keyword¶
Command: LINE
Specify start point: 0,0
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Undo]: Angle
Specify the angle: 0
Specify the length: 80
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Close/Undo]: Angle
Specify the angle: 120
Specify the length: 60
Specify next point [Angle/Distance/Close/Undo]: Close
Draw with Ortho¶
- Enable Ortho (F2) in the Status Bar
- Start
LINE, click the first point - Move cursor right, type
150→ horizontal segment of 150 units - Move cursor up, type
75→ vertical segment of 75 units
Best Practices¶
| Practice | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Use Ortho for horizontal/vertical lines | Exact 0/90 degree segments |
Use relative coordinates (@dx,dy) |
Precise offsets from previous point |
Use polar input (dist<angle) |
Direct control over length and direction |
| Use the Angle keyword | Precise angle + length without polar notation |
| Use the Distance keyword | Specify length first when angle is secondary |
| Enable Entity Snap | Accurate connections to existing geometry |
| Use Close to finish polygons | Ensures proper closure |
| Use PARALINE/PERPLINE for construction | Faster than calculating offsets manually |
Quick Reference¶
| Task | Input |
|---|---|
| Draw line segments | LINE |
| Draw polyline | PLINE |
| Draw parallel line | PARALINE |
| Draw perpendicular line | PERPLINE |
| Draw line at angle | ANGLELINE |
| Draw bisector | BISECTORLINE |
| Draw tangent from point | TANLINE |
| Draw tangent between curves | TANTANLINE |
| Construction line (infinite) | XLINE |
| Construction ray | RAY |
| XY reference line | XYLINE |
| Close shape | Type Close keyword |
| Undo last point | Type Undo keyword |
| End command | Enter or Escape |
See also: Point Input | Distance Input | Angle Input