Point Input¶

VektorCAD provides two ways to specify points: keyboard (type exact coordinates) and mouse (click on the canvas with optional precision aids). You can mix both methods freely during any command.

Coordinate system

X increases to the right, Y increases upward
Angles: 0° along +X, positive angles rotate counter‑clockwise
Units follow your current drawing units (mm, in, etc.). Decimals are allowed.

Keyboard Input¶

Type coordinates directly into the command panel whenever VektorCAD prompts for a point. Two coordinate systems are supported:

Cartesian Coordinates (`x,y`)¶

Specify a point by its X and Y values.

Type	Syntax	Example	Meaning
Absolute	`x,y`	`100,50`	Point at (100, 50) from the origin
Relative	`@dx,dy`	`@25,0`	25 units to the right of the last point

More examples:

Specify point: 100,50       → absolute (100, 50)
Specify point: @25,0        → 25 right from last point
Specify point: @0,-10       → 10 down from last point
Specify point: -20,30       → absolute (-20, 30) — left of origin

Drawing a rectangle with relative input

Use relative Cartesian to trace rectangular shapes precisely:

Specify first point: 0,0
Specify next point: @50,0      → right edge
Specify next point: @0,30      → top edge
Specify next point: @-50,0     → left edge
Specify next point: @0,-30     → close

Polar Coordinates (`r<θ`)¶

Specify a point by distance and angle from the origin (absolute) or last point (relative).

Type	Syntax	Example	Meaning
Absolute	`r<θ`	`50<0`	50 units along +X from origin
Relative	`@r<θ`	`@25<45`	25 units at 45° from last point

More examples:

Specify point: 50<0         → 50 units along +X from origin
Specify point: @25<45       → 25 units at 45° from last point
Specify point: @10<180      → 10 units to the left of last point
Specify point: @20<-90      → 20 units straight down (clockwise)

When to use Polar

Polar input is ideal for known length + angle segments — slanted edges, spokes, inclined lines, and angular features. It pairs well with Ortho and Entity Tracking.

Mixing Mouse and Keyboard¶

You can combine both methods in a single command:

Click a point on the canvas (optionally using Osnap for precision)
Type @dx,dy or @r<θ for the next point
Press Enter to confirm

This is the fastest workflow for precise drafting — snap to an existing feature, then type the exact offset.

Mouse Input¶

Direct Picking¶

Move the crosshair and click to place a point at the cursor location
A rubber‑band preview shows the tentative segment from the last point during commands like Line or Arc
Combine with precision aids below for accuracy

Grid Snap¶

Setting	Description
Grid	Background lattice showing regular intervals
Snap	Locks cursor to the nearest grid intersection

Toggle from the status bar
Configure grid spacing in the Format Panel
Ideal for consistent spacing in schematic layouts

Tip

Grid Snap works independently from Entity Snap. When both are active, Entity Snap takes priority on existing geometry.

Ortho Mode¶

Constrains cursor movement to orthogonal directions (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°).

Toggle from the status bar
Equivalent to typing @d,0 (horizontal) or @0,d (vertical) from the last point
Essential for drawing straight horizontal/vertical lines without typing coordinates

Entity Snap (Osnap)¶

Object Snaps lock the cursor to precise geometric points on existing entities. Enable persistent snaps in the status bar, or use the context menu for temporary overrides.

Snap Point	Snaps To
Endpoint	Start or end of lines, arcs, splines
Midpoint	Middle of a line segment or arc
Center	Center of a circle, arc, or ellipse
Intersection	Where two entities cross
Perpendicular	Nearest point forming a 90° angle to an entity
Tangent	Point of tangency on a circle or arc
Nearest	Closest point along any entity
Quadrant	0°/90°/180°/270° points on circles and arcs
Node	Explicit point entities

How to use:

Hover over an entity — the snap glyph appears at the detected snap point
Click to accept that point

Tip

Multiple snaps can be active simultaneously. The nearest valid snap highlights automatically. Zoom in if snap glyphs overlap.

Entity Tracking (Otrack)¶

Entity Tracking helps align new points with existing geometry without drawing helper lines:

Hover over a snap point briefly — an acquired marker appears
Move away — dashed tracking lines extend horizontally/vertically from the acquired point
Click when the tracking line passes through your desired location
Optionally type a distance while tracking to place a point at that exact offset

Combine with Osnap

Otrack works best when Osnap is enabled. Acquire an endpoint or center, then track to place a new point perfectly aligned.

Right‑click while specifying a point to access:

Option	Description
Toggles	Ortho, Grid, Snap, Entity Snaps
Temporary snaps	Endpoint, Midpoint, Center, Intersection, Perpendicular, Tangent
Tracking tools	Acquire/align from hovered snap points
Numeric input	Switch between Cartesian and Polar prompts
Cancel / Repeat	End current pick or repeat last command

Quick Reference¶

Task	Input	Notes
Absolute Cartesian	`120,40`	From origin to (120, 40)
Relative Cartesian	`@15,-5`	Offset (+15, −5) from last point
Absolute Polar	`60<30`	60 units at 30° from origin
Relative Polar	`@25<90`	25 units straight up from last point
Horizontal line (Ortho)	Click + move right + click	Or type `@d,0`
Snap to midpoint	Hover midpoint glyph + click	Keep Midpoint osnap active
Align with endpoint	Hover endpoint → track → click	Type distance for exact placement
Mixed input	Click base point → type `@50,0` → `Enter`	Combines mouse and keyboard

Best practice

For maximum speed and accuracy: Osnap-click a base point → type @dx,dy or @r<θ → Enter. This combines the precision of snapping with the exactness of typed coordinates.

See also: Distance Input · Angle Input · Entity Input