[klrskies]

Using Autocad Mechanical 2008, Drawing wireframe geometry, I would like to draw a line that stays at the z level of thet first picked point and does not snap to a perpendicular on the second points geometry.

[hub]

For example if the line is 50 long along x axis:
Type in: @50,0,0

Along y with same length:
@0,50,0

[klrskies]

I want to draw a line (or construction line) from a point on geometry, not on z 0, to a point on a line that is not quite parallel to the z axis. The second point wants to snap to a midpoint, perpendicular, end,etc. I want it to attach to a point that is at the same z level value as the first point...A line parallel to the xy plane.

[hub]

The Z can be any value.
For example, if you pick a point say X10, Y23, Z15 and you type @50, 0, 0 a straight line will be drawn from the selected point along X axis which is 50 long.
Don't forget the '@' in front! If you do then the coordinates will be absolute.

Try it and see if it works.

[klrskies]

Im not making it clear what Im needing. Look at the red line in the dwg. I want it to snap to a point with the same "Z" value as the end of the line on the lite blue geometry.

0699-00-00 Die & Fixtures.dwg

[hub]

Ok sorry, might also be me misunderstanding.

I'n not using autocad for 3d work so I'm not sure how..
But if possible, make a XY plane on the desired Z level, and maybe the intersecting point can be selected.
Or,
Go to "front" view, make sure ortho is on, draw a straight line, and clip it where it intersects. Then go to "left" or "right" view, and draw another line the same way (trimming etc), that should give you the intersecting point?

[klrskies]

How do I make a xy plane at that z level?

[hub]

It might not be possible. Checked and I didn't find a way to draw a "plane" in autocad..
Try the line method if it would work.

[klrskies]

Not all the lines I need to draw will be able to be drawn in Ortho.

[hub]

Not all the lines I need to draw will be able to be drawn in Ortho.

I know, but you need to draw "constuction lines" using ortho, (to keep Z constant as you wanted). Just flip the view to front, left, top or what ever you need. Then just trim the lines, and you will get the point needed.

I hope that makes sense. If not sen me the dwg & I can try to work it out.

[klrskies]

The drawing is in post #5 . can you open it?

[ger21]

You're probably using a 3D polyline. Use a regular polyline, which can only have one Z level, so it'll stay at whatever Z level you start at.

[hub]

I opened the DWG.
To draw the line try this:
Turn on "Object Snap Tracking" (F11 key). This works at least in the Mechanical 2009 version I'm using.
Then it will snap to the line autamatically so that it will be along z.

[klrskies]

You're probably using a 3D polyline. Use a regular polyline, which can only have one Z level, so it'll stay at whatever Z level you start at.

No, no Polylines.

[klrskies]

Apparently the easiest way to go to create sections is to begin with a solid model to begin with...lots of effort with a just a wire frame or lines. I'm getting tutorials from another site to learn about solids.