Enter Distances

If HiCAD expects a distance to be entered to execute a function, it will display a corresponding dialogue window.

In most cases, HiCAD will offer a default value, which you can simply left-click to apply. If you do not want to apply this value, enter the value you require.

However, you can also enter an arithmetic expression or a letter code, instead of a value. The following codes are allowed here:

L apply last distance,

Z take distance from drawing and

FA apply distance from drawing and multiply by factor.

L - Last Distance

The distance entered for a function is saved internally in HiCAD and can be reused for subsequent calls. Depending on the type of distance to be entered, there are 3 different last distances:

All last distances are preserved until such time as they are overwritten by new values.

Z - Distance from the Drawing

If you have entered the letter code Z, you can take the distance from the drawing. The distance functions are displayed.

Function	Description
	Enter length	In this function, you use the keyboard to enter the distance.
	Distance, 2 Points	Here you specify 2 points, the distance between them being adopted as the distance. All relevant point options are available here.
	Horizontal distance, 2 Points	With this option, you apply the x-distance between 2 points.
	Vertical distance, 2 Points	Similarly to the x distance, you apply the y-distance of two points here.
	Line length	You use this function to apply the length of a graphical element.
	Distance Point-Line	Choose a point and a graphical element to specify the distance. HiCAD then determines the perpendicular from the point to the graphical element.The perpendicular base point can also be outside the actual graphical element. The required distance results from the distance between the point and the calculated base point.
	Distance, 2 lines	You use this function to specify the distance between two graphic elements. You will only get a positive distance when calculating the distance between two straight lines if they are parallel. Conic sections are excluded in this option.
	Arc radius	The radius of a circle or circular arc is applied here.

Function

Description

Enter length

In this function, you use the keyboard to enter the distance.

Distance, 2 Points

Here you specify 2 points, the distance between them being adopted as the distance. All relevant point options are available here.

Horizontal distance, 2 Points

With this option, you apply the x-distance between 2 points.

Vertical distance, 2 Points

Similarly to the x distance, you apply the y-distance of two points here.

Line length

You use this function to apply the length of a graphical element.

Distance Point-Line

Choose a point and a graphical element to specify the distance. HiCAD then determines the perpendicular from the point to the graphical element.The perpendicular base point can also be outside the actual graphical element. The required distance results from the distance between the point and the calculated base point.

Distance, 2 lines

You use this function to specify the distance between two graphic elements. You will only get a positive distance when calculating the distance between two straight lines if they are parallel.

Conic sections are excluded in this option.

Arc radius

The radius of a circle or circular arc is applied here.

FA-Multiply Distance with Factor

This additional code is a special case of code z. You can use it to take distances from the drawing and multiply them with a factor. You can enter this factor together with letter code FA, separated by a space.

If you do not specify the factor, HiCAD asks you to enter it. If FA is entered in combination with one of the point options R, P, W or D, HiCAD always prompts for the factor separately.

To enable you to apply the distance, the distance menu is also displayed here. The distance is automatically multiplied by the factor entered.

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