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2.3.2 Curved Lines

Before a Curved Line is created, its width and color can be set. The Curved Line Width or Bezier Line Width field is a scaled dimension in inches if >0. If 0 it is a 1 pixel wide line at all zooms. If the value is negative, it is a scale-independent number of pixels wide.

Curved Lines are created in the same manner as curved tracks.

(Section 2.3.2.1). Drag out the end point and then curve it.

(Section 2.3.2.3). Select the center and then an endpoint and drag out the curve.

(Section 2.3.2.2). Select the end and drag out the center.

(Section 2.3.2.4). Drag from one end of the curve to the other to form the chord of the curve.

(Section 2.3.2.5 Left-Drag out control point from one end of the curve and then Left-Drag out the second control point from the other end.

If MagneticSnap (Section 2.12.1) is enabled, the curve ends will snap to the nearest part of nearby Draw objects unless Alt is held. If Magnetic Snap is disabled, snapping to objects will only occur if Alt is held.

If Grid Snap is on and magnetic snap does not find a draw object, the curve ends will snap to the grid. Alt suppresses this snap.

If Sticky is set for curved line objects, after the curve is drawn there will be two text fields on the bottom rail, to allow fine-tuning of the radius and the arc angle. Pressing Enter or Tab with the cursor in these boxes will apply the new values to the curve. Pressing Space or Enter or Tab on the drawing surface will move to drawing a new curve. Pressing Shift+Tab with the cursor on the drawing surface will remove the current curve, but allow a new curve to be drawn. Even if Esc is pressed, the curve will already exist, it can be removed with Undo.

To adjust the curve with the mouse, Left-Click and Left-Drag an end or a the radius. Hit Enter or Space to accept, Esc to reject.