STRAIGHT (STRA)
- Last UpdatedMar 02, 2026
- 3 minute read
Basic Creation Methods
A STRA can be defined in two ways:
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By defining the positions of the end-points (from which the values of length and angle can be derived if required).
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By defining the position of the mid-point and values of LENG and ADEG (from which the positions of the end-points can be derived if required).
The commands:
NEW STRA
DEF @
result in two points being prompted for; a line is drawn between the two points and TCOD is set to ENDPOINT. See Position (absolute) for further information.
The command:
ODEF @
prompts for two points. The straight is vertical or horizontal depending on the relative sizes of the horizontal and vertical offsets between the two points given.
Attributes
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PTFA |
- |
Point references (2) |
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NLSTYLE |
- |
Note line style |
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NLCOLOUR |
- |
Note line color |
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LENG |
- |
Length |
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ADEG |
- |
Angle in owner |
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TCOD |
- |
Type code (defines how to interpret attributes). Set either to ENDPOINT or MIDPOINT. |
Change Length or Slope
|
LENGTH value [DESIGN] |
Changing LENG or ADEG for a two-point STRA moves the ‘to’ point. |
|
ADEG value |
|
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LENGTH @ |
Moves the From point of the STRA, changing its LENG and ADEG attributes. |
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ALENGTH @ |
Moves the To point of the STRA, changing its LENG and ADEG attributes. |
Position (absolute)
A STRA can have its ‘from’ point, ‘mid’ point or ‘to’ point positioned or moved. Apart from the initial keyword (FPT, MPT, TPT) specifying which point you are setting the syntax is similar throughout:
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To position at a 2D (for example, X,Y) position |
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FPT @ FPT X 50 Y -250 |
prompts: Enter a 2-d position |
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To position at a 3D (for example, ENU position): |
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FPT POS @ FPT E12500 S5000 U0 |
prompts: Input a point in a View |
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To position on a p-point: |
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FPT ID @ FPT IDP @ FPT /PUMP2/N1 FPT P1 OF /PUMP2/N1 |
prompts: Identify element prompts: Identify design p-point |
If the MPT command is used, the TCOD is set to MIDPOINT, this is a single point STRAIGHT and must have its LENGTH set.
A straight can also be created by giving an orthogonal To point:
OPPT x 50 y 97
OTPT @
The straight is vertical or horizontal depending on the relative sizes of the horizontal and vertical offsets between the From point and the To point.
Points on a STRA (FPT, TPT) can be identified using the command:
Q IDN @
Position (relative)
It is possible to move a STRA or one of its points by a given amount. For a single point STRA (for example, one with a mid-point) there is no difference between moving the STRA itself or its mid-point, but for a two point STRA moving its ‘from’ or ‘to’ point causes its length and/or its slope to change; the position of the other point remains unchanged.
|
BY @ |
prompts: or: |
Input two points on a sheet Input two points in the same View |
depending upon whether the STRA is currently positioned on a 2D point or a 3D/p-point.
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BY X55 Y-678 |
STR As positioned at a 3D point cannot be shifted by an X,Y amount, and vice versa. |
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DRAG BY @ |
See the comments for the BY command |
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FPT BY @ |
prompts: or: |
Input two points on a sheet Input two points in the same View |
depending upon whether the point is currently positioned on a 2D point or 3D/p-point.
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FPT BY X55 Y-678 |
Points positioned at a 3d point cannot be shifted by an XY amount, and vice versa. |
|
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FPT DRAG [BY] @ |
These commands change the position of the drafting point FPT DRAG TO @ to which the FPT is attached and hence changes the position of other primitives attached to the same point. |
Repeated Copy
All other operations are as for Circles. See CIRCLE (CIRC).
Query
Q DESC
queries the Length and point attributes, for example,
LENGTH value
ADEG value
FPT X value Y value
TPT X value Y value
Q FPT
Queries the position of the 'from' point if set. Similarly for TPT, MPT
Q OFFS
Queries the offset positions of the points set (relative to the Note origin)
Q FPT OFFS
Queries the offset of the 'from' point relative to the Note origin (similarly for TPT, MPT)