Distance Input¶

Many VektorCAD commands require a distance or length value — line segment length, circle radius, fillet radius, offset distance, move displacement, and more. You can enter distances via keyboard (type a number) or mouse (click to set the length visually), and constrain direction with Ortho, Snap, and Tracking.

Where distance input is used

Command	Distance for
Line	Segment length (after base point)
Circle	Radius or diameter
Fillet	Fillet radius
Chamfer	Chamfer distances
Move / Copy	Displacement magnitude

Keyboard Input¶

Type distances directly into the command panel when prompted.

Plain Distance¶

Type a positive number to specify a length in the current drawing units. The direction is determined by the cursor position, Ortho lock, or Entity Tracking.

Specify distance: 25        → 25 units along current direction
Specify distance: 12.5      → 12.5 units
Specify radius: 10          → radius of 10 units

Direction matters

When you type only a number, VektorCAD uses the direction from the rubber‑band (cursor), Ortho constraint, or Entity Track alignment. Move the cursor to set the desired direction before typing.

Distance with Angle (Polar)¶

Enter both distance and angle in a single input:

Syntax	Example	Meaning
`r<θ`	`50<0`	50 units to the right (0°)
`r<θ`	`30<90`	30 units straight up (90°)
`r<θ`	`25<-45`	25 units at −45° (down‑right)

Specify next point: 50<0     → 50 units along +X
Specify next point: 30<90    → 30 units straight up
Specify next point: 25<-45   → 25 units at -45°

Angle lock

Type just the angle (e.g., <30) to lock the direction first, then type a number to set the distance along that locked direction. This is useful when you know the angle but need to decide the length.

Units and Precision¶

Setting	Description
Drawing units	Distances are interpreted in the current unit (mm, in, etc.)
Decimals	Decimal values are allowed (e.g., `12.5`, `0.75`)
Precision	Controlled in Settings → Units

Calculator (Virtual Keyboard)¶

VektorCAD does not support arithmetic expressions directly in the input prompt. However, you can use the built-in virtual keyboard calculator to compute values and send the result to the command panel.

How to use:

Open the virtual keyboard (available on touch devices or from the UI)
Switch to calculator mode
Enter your calculation (e.g., 120 / 2, 2 * 15 + 5, 100 / 4)
Press Enter on the calculator — the result is sent directly to the command panel as the distance value

Tip

The calculator is especially useful on iPad and tablets where typing precise numbers is easier with the on-screen keypad. Calculate values like half-dimensions or scaled offsets without leaving VektorCAD.

Mouse Input¶

Free Pick (Dynamic Length)¶

After a base point is set, move the cursor to preview the tentative segment:

The rubber‑band shows the direction
The status bar displays the live distance and angle
Click to accept the distance at the current cursor position

Ortho Mode¶

Constrains the direction to 0°, 90°, 180°, or 270°, producing pure horizontal/vertical distances.

Toggle from the status bar
Combine with typed distance: enable Ortho → move cursor right → type 120 → Enter

Tip

Ortho + typed distance is the fastest way to draw exact horizontal or vertical segments.

Grid Snap¶

With Grid Snap enabled, cursor movement steps by the grid spacing, yielding distances in discrete multiples.

Toggle from the status bar
Configure spacing in the Format Panel
Type an exact number to override the grid step when needed

Entity Snap (Measuring Between Points)¶

Use Object Snaps to pick exact points on existing geometry. The distance between the last point and the snapped point becomes the command length.

Snap to an Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, or Intersection
The resulting distance matches the existing geometry exactly
Ideal for "match this length" workflows

Entity Tracking (Angle/Axis Lock)¶

Use Otrack to constrain distance along an alignment path:

Hover a reference snap point to acquire it
Move the cursor — tracking lines appear along horizontal/vertical axes
Type a number to place a point at that exact distance along the track, or click to accept the previewed distance

Reuse Last Distance¶

Press Enter to reuse the previous distance (works with many commands like offset and fillet)
Right‑click → Use Last Distance from the context menu

Right‑click during distance input:

Option	Description
Toggles	Ortho, Grid, Snap, Entity Snaps
Angle Lock	Lock direction to a specific angle, then type length
Use Last Distance	Reapply the previous distance value
Cancel / Repeat	End or restart the current operation

Quick Reference¶

Task	Input	Notes
Exact length along cursor direction	`25`	Direction from rubber‑band / Ortho / Track
Exact length + angle	`40<30`	40 units at 30° from last point
Horizontal length	Ortho on → type `d`	Or use angle lock `<0`
Vertical length	Ortho on → type `d`	Or use angle lock `<90`
Match existing segment	Snap to endpoint	Distance equals snap-to-snap span
Grid‑stepped distance	Move + click with Snap on	Discrete multiples of grid spacing
Calculated distance	Use virtual keyboard calculator	Result is sent to the command panel
Repeat previous distance	`Enter`	Works with offset, fillet, chamfer, etc.

Fast workflow

Click base point → move cursor to set direction (or lock with Ortho/Track) → type distance → Enter. This combines visual direction with typed precision.

See also: Point Input · Angle Input · Entity Input