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Angle Input

This page explains how to enter angles in VektorCAD. Angles are used by commands such as Rotate, Line/Polyline (direction), Arc by angle, Polar Array, Mirror (angle option), Chamfer (angle mode), and more. You can enter angles by keyboard or control them with the mouse (Ortho, Polar Tracking, snaps, and reference picks).

Angle basics

  • Zero direction: 0° is along +X.
  • Positive rotation: counter‑clockwise.
  • Units: Degrees by default.
  • Clockwise: use negative angles (e.g., -30).

You can lock a drawing direction by typing <θ while previewing (e.g., during a line placement). For commands that explicitly prompt Angle, type just the numeric angle (e.g., 30).

Keyboard

Plain angle (commands that ask “Angle”)

Type a number in degrees:

  • 30 → rotate/aim by +30°.
  • -45 → rotate/aim by −45° (clockwise).
  • 90 → right angle.

Reference/Baseline
- For Rotate: baseline is the object’s current orientation; you can also set a reference angle by picking two points, then type the new angle.
- For directional commands (e.g., Line): baseline is global +X unless you type the angle lock (<θ) during point placement.

Angle lock during point/distance input

While you’re specifying a point or distance, type:

  • <θ → locks the cursor direction to θ degrees from +X.
  • Then type a distance (e.g., 25) or click to accept along that locked ray.

Examples
- <0 then 120 → a 120‑unit segment to the right.
- <90 then click → vertical upward segment of the previewed length.
- <135 then 40 → 40 units at 135°.

Units and formats

  • Degrees (default): 30, -45, 120.5.
  • DMS (if enabled): 30d15'20" (equals 30°15′20″).
  • Radians (if enabled): 0.523598rad, or pi/6 (see Expressions).
  • Grads (if enabled): 50g.

Expressions (optional feature)

If expression input is enabled, you can write:

  • 360/7, 2*pi/9, (90-15) → evaluated to degrees or radians (with rad suffix).

Mouse

Free angle (dynamic)

  • After specifying a base point (or pivot), move the cursor. A rubber‑band/preview shows the tentative angle relative to the baseline; the Heads‑Up/status bar displays live angle (and distance if applicable).
  • Click to accept the current angle.

Ortho mode

  • Constrains direction to 0°/90°/180°/270°.
  • Toggle on/off from the status bar.
  • Use for rectilinear drafting and 90° rotations.

Polar tracking (angle snap)

  • Shows tracking rays at set increment angles (e.g., every 15°).
  • Snap the cursor to these rays to get precise common angles without typing.
  • Configure increments in Settings → Drafting → Polar Tracking (e.g., 5°, 10°, 15°, custom).

Entity snap (angle by geometry)

  • Perpendicular — locks to a direction 90° to an entity.
  • Tangent — direction that touches a circle/arc.
  • Parallel (if available) — match another entity’s direction.
  • Intersection/Endpoint/Midpoint/Center — provide accurate base/reference points for two‑point angle picking.

Two‑point angle (reference)

When a command allows reference angles (e.g., Rotate with Reference):

  1. Pick base point (pivot).
  2. Pick reference direction: two clicks define the starting angle.
  3. Pick new direction: two clicks define the target angle; or type a number for the new angle.

This is ideal when you want to “rotate an object from the angle it is now to another measured angle” without doing mental math.

Context menu

Right‑click during angle input for quick options (varies by command):

  • Toggle: Ortho, Polar Tracking, Snaps.
  • Angle Lock: enter <θ directly.
  • Reference: choose “Specify reference angle” to pick two points.
  • Use Last Angle (if supported).
  • Cancel / Repeat.

Quick reference

Task Input Notes
Rotate by exact angle 30 30° CCW. Use -30 for CW.
Lock direction for a line <45 Then type distance (e.g., 100).
Horizontal/vertical only Ortho on Or use <0, <90>, <180>, <270>.
Snap to common angles Polar Tracking Set increments in Settings → Polar Tracking.
Match another edge’s direction Parallel snap / Track Or hover an edge to acquire its tracking line.
Perpendicular/Tangent directions Use snaps Guarantees 90° or tangent constraint.
Use previous angle again Enter/Space If command supports “last angle”.

Tip

Fast workflow for directed segments: Click base point → type <θ to lock angle → type distance → Enter.

Note

Use negative angles for clockwise rotations. When in doubt, use the reference method (two‑point angle) to define exactly what you mean without sign mistakes.