Spline Polyline

A spline polyline is a polyline object, digitized like a polyline, but with different results. A spline polyline uses a smoothing algorithm to add points between digitized vertices. A spline polyline must be created from three or more points.

This spline polyline was created with five mouse clicks.

Drawing a Spline Polyline

To draw a spline polyline:

1. Click the Draw | Spline Polyline command or click the button to begin drawing a spline polyline.

2. The cursor changes to a cross hair cursor to indicate drawing mode.

3. Enter any information about the spline polyline, such as the ID, in the Property Manager.

4. Move the cursor over the location for the start of the polyline and click the left mouse button.

5. Move the cursor to the next position along the line and click again. A curved line connects the first and second points.

6. Continue this procedure until you click at the final point for the line. Press the ENTER key.

7. To end drawing mode, click on another tool button or press the ESC key on your keyboard.

To adjust the tension of the spline press the UP or DOWN arrow keys while drawing the spline polyline.

Editing Polyline Properties

The polyline can be edited by clicking once on the polyline to select it.  Polyline object properties can be modified through the Property Manager. Polyline properties include:

Polyline Item Properties

Data Attributes

Line Properties

Label Properties

Default Properties

The default line properties are set by clicking the Tools | Project Settings command and clicking on the Line Properties tab.

Using a Digitizing Tablet

When using the tablet pointer to digitize a polygon,

1. Calibrate the tablet by clicking the Draw | Tablet | Tablet Calibration command, or by clicking the button.

2. Activate the tablet by pressing F9 on the keyboard, clicking the button, or clicking the Draw | Tablet | Activate Tablet command.

Drawing Tips

• Click the right mouse button to remove the last drawn point. This can be done repeatedly.

• Double-click the left mouse button or press the ENTER key to end the line.

• To cancel drawing the line, press the ESC key before ending the line.

• Edit the shape of the line using Draw | Reshape.

• Edit the line style and color by clicking on the line in the plot window or in the Data Manager.

• Set default line properties with the Tools | Project Settings command.

• Zoom while in drawing mode by scrolling the mouse wheel. Alternatively, press the NUMLOCK key on the keyboard to ensure Number Lock is on. Then, use the + and - keys on the numeric keypad to zoom in and out.  

• Scroll while in drawing mode by pressing the mouse wheel down and panning the screen. Alternatively, press the NUMLOCK key on the keyboard to ensure Number Lock is on. Then, use the 4, 8, 6, and 2 keys to scroll left, up, right, and down.

• To adjust the tension of the spline press the UP or DOWN arrow keys while drawing the spline polyline.

See Also

Polyline

Spline Polygon