Dynamic constraints

Dynamic Constraints are on-screen text box controls that enable you to constrain the direction and distance of a new line segment to specified values. Creating a two-point COGO-enabled line writes the constraint values to the appropriate COGO fields.

Tabbing through the controls and typing a value in the active text box sets a constraint. When a constraint is not set, the text box dynamically updates as you move the pointer.

Optional settings include the default direction type and the constraint that appears with the initial focus. Alternatively, you can change these settings in the Options dialog box.

To learn more, see Settings for general editing tools.

Note:

When Ground to Grid is turned on, the direction values you enter are rotated and the distance values are scaled for the resulting geometry. When you create two-point COGO enabled lines, the direction and distance values you enter are stored with the feature in the Direction and Distance attribute fields, respectively.

To learn more, see Turn ground to grid on or off.

Turn dynamic constraints on

Clicking Dynamic Constraints on the status bar at the bottom of the active map turns the constraints on or off. A pop-up menu showing the current status and settings appears when you hover over the icon.

1. On the status bar at the bottom of the active map or scene, click Dynamic Constraints .

   

Set the default direction

Setting the default direction determines how your direction values are applied to a new line segment. You can set the constraint to create a deflection angle that is measured from the previous segment or at an absolute angle.

1. On the status bar at the bottom of the active map or scene, hover over Dynamic Constraints .
2. Click one of the following:
   • Deflection—Locks the specified angle measured from the last line segment.
   • Absolute—Locks the specified angle to the coordinate system assigned to the map.
3. Move the pointer back to the map or scene.

Set the default input mode

Setting the default input mode determines which constraint receives the initial focus as you sketch line segments.

1. On the status bar at the bottom of the active map or scene, hover over Dynamic Constraints .
2. Click one of the following:
   • Direction
   • Distance
3. Move the pointer back to the map or scene.