Drawing rectangles from line segments

You can create rectangles by using exiting line segments. The line serves as a base for the rectangle.

The contextual edit bar

For help on snapping, see Snapping objects.

Starts the Detect Relations Manager.

Attributes

• Dx. Appears on the contextual edit bar only while you are drawing the rectangle extension. (Dy is always unavailable). Dx is the distance between the parallel base side (the initial line segment you start the rectangle from) and its opposite side in the rectangle.

• Style. For more about styles, see Formatting styles, colors and templates.

note: The control points, tabular presentation and the procedure for repositioning are the same as those for the main HV rectangle mode.

To draw a rectangle from a line segment

1. Do any of the following:

1. • On the Objects toolbar, click the Rectangle .
   • On the Objects menu, click Rectangle.
   • Press CTRL+D+H.

2. In the graphical area, click any point of the line segment.

note: To begin drawing an HV rectangle from the point, hold down SHIFT, and then click. The selected point becomes the first point of the HV rectangle.

3. To finish the rectangle extension, do any of the following:

• Point to where you want the opposite parallel side to be, and then click.

• Snap the opposite parallel side to other objects or points before placing it.

• In the contextual edit bar, in Dx enter a value, press ENTER, and then click anywhere in the graphical area.

4. (Optional) To continue drawing rectangles, point anywhere on the last drawn side of the rectangle, and then do Step 3.

To switch from drawing lines to drawing rectangles

1. (Optional) Draw a line segment. Do not cancel the mode.
2. Do any of the following:

• On the Objects toolbar, click the Rectangle .

• On the Objects menu, click Rectangle.

• Press CTRL+D+H.

Drawing a rectangle begins from the line segment.

3. To finish the rectangle extension, do any of the following:

• Point to where you want the opposite parallel side to be, and then click.

• Snap the opposite parallel side to other objects or points before placing it.

• In the contextual edit bar, in Dx enter a value, press ENTER, and then click anywhere in the graphical area.

4. (Optional) To continue drawing rectangles, point anywhere on the last drawn side of the rectangle, and then do Step 3.