Calibrated line segments

Using Illustrator, how do I generate calibrated line segments, rather than a grid?

Don't access the artboard. With the grid tool active click on the documents background called the artboard. A dialog box will pop up allowing you to disable the outside stroke of the grid and set it spacing and number of lines.

Similar Messages

Combining Line Segments into a single shape

I drew one half of a shape by drawing multiple line segments using the arc tool. Think of the shape as sort of a C. Once I had the shape the way I wanted it, I copied and reflected it to give me the other half, so now it looks sort of like an O. However, when I go to fill the shape, I get all sort of weird fills, like it is trying to close each of the individual arcs that I drew.
I have spent over an hour going through Illustrators help and searching the internet, but I can't figure out how to join all these line segments into a single shape that I can then apply a fill to. I'm sure this is easy, but I'm frustrated.
Thanks,
Ken

Thanks Kurt. That did it. My gosh, I would never have thought of looking for something like that. I upgrade to CS3 sometime ago, but hadn't used illustrator much since I upgraded.
Thanks for the help.
Ken

Joining Line Segments

The line looks like it's connected, but it's not. When I apply the brush effect it becomes disjointed. I want it to be one smooth stroke. Is there any way to join the line segments without having to redraw the stroke? I ask this because the line was imported into Illustrator from Flash, there are many more and I don't want to have to redraw them all. Thanks in advance for any help.

Bob,
Hopefully, you can:
1. Deselect the path and then drag across each set of Anchor Points where the brushes go thin;
2. Object>Path>Join.
If you select the lot before 1+2, and look in the Layers palette, or open Window>Document Info, and select Objects in the flyout menu, you should be able to see that there are multiple paths; the latter shows the number of points in each selected object.
If 1 + 2 do (or should it be does) not work, there are probably multiple Anchor Points at the end(s) of either/both of the paths to be joined; the surplus should be deleted.
Or the paths may be grouped, and should be ungrouped first; that may also be seen in the Layers palette/Document info.

Joining Line Segments in CS6

I am drawing a simple diamond shape made with one rectanlge shape and multiple line segments. As I drew the design, I made sure to connect all the segments at the anchors. When I select all of the segments and try to join the paths, the end points or corners are not smooth. In other words, some of the line segment ends hang over the edges... What am I doing wrong? Thanks!
The image below shows the left side of the diamond, where the top portion meets the bottom...

Thank you, DayForce. Changing the corner type to "round join" did the trick! May I ask another question? When I select all the segments and join the paths, I get an additional line segment from one point to another. How can I elminiate this?

Line Segment Tool Options won't allow negative angle

When you select an object and hit Return to bring up the Move dialog, Illustrator allows you to enter a negative rotation amount in the Angle field (e.g., -30°). This is great. However, when you select the Line Segment tool and click in the drawing area to bring up the Line Segment Tool Options dialog, the same Angle field will only accept positive numbers. Entering a negative value will cause the Angle to be zero. This is sloppy work and so easily fixed. Please change it so you can enter negative numbers in the Line Segment Tool Options dialog like you can in the Move dialog. Also, there should be a preview checkbox in the Line Segment Tool Options.

drag.

3d graph line segment

Hi:
I'm trying to find a way to draw a series of x,y,z points to a 3d graph with each point linked to the last with a line segment. I have been successfull in plotting a series of points to the 3d graph indicator in LabView but I cannot figure out how to connect them with line segments ... does anyone know how this might be done? Thanks in advance for any help.

When the cwlinepoint property is activated the graph draws a line from each point to each point which is not what I'm trying to do ... the code I have written is extremely basic ... three 1d arrays each containing number set (one array with x coordinates, one array with y coords, ect.) these are then passed to the CWGraph3D invoke node ... then the points are plotted to the 3d graph as just points ... which is somewhat usable for what I am trying to do but I was surprised to find out that such a functionality was not already built in to LabView. I thought that there would have been a relatively easy way to do it but I have not been able to find it on my own, so I thought I would put it out there and see if others had already figured it out. My search of the forum yeilded nothing. Again your help is greatly appreciated unclebump!!! Find attached code. Was written in Labview 7.1 but should be usable in 7.0 I think.
Attachments:
3dgraphof point attempt.vi ‏35 KB

Line Intersection retuns point instead line segment

Hi all,
I want to intersect two lines with the function sdo_intersection (Oracle8i).
However, as result I get always a point instead of a line segment.
Any suggestions ??
Thanks Peter
Following the Script:
/* Table Theme2 */
CREATE TABLE THEME2(ID NUMBER, GEOM MDSYS.SDO_GEOMETRY);
/* Update Metadata */
INSERT INTO USER_SDO_GEOM_METADATA (TABLE_NAME, COLUMN_NAME, DIMINFO)
VALUES ('THEME2', 'GEOM', MDSYS.SDO_DIM_ARRAY
(MDSYS.SDO_DIM_ELEMENT('X', 2546727.982208079, 2629500.677188804, 0.000000050),
MDSYS.SDO_DIM_ELEMENT('Y', 5479508.594623252, 5585930.631027042, 0.000000050) ) );
COMMIT;
/* Insert 2 Lines */
insert into theme2 values (1,SDO_GEOMETRY(2002, 82015, NULL,
SDO_ELEM_INFO_ARRAY(1, 2, 1),SDO_ORDINATE_ARRAY(
2546727.98, 5570612.31, 2551027.86, 5558787.64, 2554252.77,
5549112.91, 2570914.81, 5536213.27, 2580589.54, 5532988.36,
2612569.9, 5524657.34, 2621438.4, 5512563.92, 2622782.11, 5491870.75, 2629500.68, 5479508.59))
insert into theme2 values (2,mdsys.SDO_GEOMETRY(2002, 82015, NULL,
mdsys.SDO_ELEM_INFO_ARRAY(1, 2, 1), mdsys.SDO_ORDINATE_ARRAY(
2619288.46, 5585930.63, 2613913.61, 5568731.11, 2608538.76, 5550456.62,
2599132.77, 5535675.78, 2597789.06, 5527344.76, 2577095.89, 5517938.77, 2556671.46,
5513638.89, 2547534.21, 5509339.01))
/* Intersect */
select sdo_geom.sdo_intersection(b.geom,a.geom,0.05)
from theme2 a, theme2 b
where a.id=1 and b.id=2;
/* result */
TEST(SDO_GTYPE, SDO_SRID, SDO_POINT(X, Y, Z), SDO_ELEM_INFO, SDO_ORDINATES)
SDO_GEOMETRY(2001, NULL, NULL, SDO_ELEM_INFO_ARRAY(1, 1, 1), SDO_ORDINATE_ARRAY(2597969.08, 5528460.91))

The two lines you've provided intersect at a single point, which is by definition not a line.
If you want to return a line, then the intersection has to happen along some length of the line.
Also, whenever I look at geometries posted I always run sdo_geom.validate_geometry on the
data.
Your user_sdo_geom_metadata should include the srid value stored in the geometries.
The bounds of your user_sdo_geom_metadata should be a bit larger to encompass
both geometries.
Regards,
Dan

Bisecting a line segment with smart guides?

Is it possible to use smart guides to place an anchor point exactly in the middle of a line segment?

Assuming the segment is straight, Object>Path>AddAnchorPoints will add an anchorPoint at the center of the segment.
JET

How to replace a line segment?

Here's what I want to do:
Take the selected line segment, and replace it with a series of line segments, scaled to the length of the line.
I'm not quite sure how to go about this. I don't see any line object relating to a path item. All I see are anchors. I know I can access the two anchors of the line segment that's selected, but to begin with, how to I delete the line connecting the anchors?

Here's an image to help illustrate. The object on the left has a line segment selected. The script runs and removes the segment, then replaces it with the door path, scaled up to the correct width to fit:

Joining Multiple Line Segments

Is there a way to join any number of line segments into one continuous line?
The end points overlap, but selecting all and going to Object>Path>Join seems to have no effect.
Making a compound path helps, but doesn't allow me to smooth the final path.

Joins multiple paths at nearest endpoints while respecting existing outboard handles:
Joins multiple paths at nearest endpoints while retracting existing outboard handles:
The scripts are described on and downloadable from
this page.
JET

Dropped line segments in dxf files

I have recently noticed when opening large E size dxf files which were created in CAD programs that some entities are dropped. At times it is dropping critical artwork.
I am suspecting there is a limitation on the amount of line segments Illustrator can import. Has anyone else experienced this before and is there a solution?
Thanks,
Mark

Sorry Kurt, I should have mentioned that in my original message.
I am using Illustrator CS2. We use multiple CAD programs but most of the drawings come from UniGraphics NX3 & NX5 or an older Unix program named DDN (Design Drafting Numerical Control). The dxf's are created from a viewing program developed by Cadman Corp. named Viewport. The files are plotted from the CAD programs into Viewport then they can be taken from viewport as dxf, pdf, or IGES files. We experience the same phenomenon from the pdf files only worse and the IGES files cannot be opened in Illustrator.
The missing artwork is present when viewed in Viewport or if we open the same dxf in SolidEdge. The results are not consistent from file to file, sometimes artwork is missing other times no art is missing but we have not been able to come up with a pattern other than it only seems to occur with larger 'E' size drawings.
Thanks for your help,
Mark

Line segments in CWgraph

Is it possible to draw multiple disconnected line segments as a single plot
in CWgraph or do I need to
implement these as separate plots. (if so, how many plots can I put on a
graph??)
Thanks
SteveS

I'm not sure exactly what you mean by disconnected line segments but I will give you a few suggestions based on what I think you mean.
If you want to draw a bar chart, yes you can simulate this with one array of data and a single plot. To do this you can go to the Property pages of the CWGraph and select the Plots tab, from here change the line style drop down menu to XY Step and check the Fill to base and Lines checkboxes. Tada! you can see the style of your graph now resembles a bar chart. Now I know that the bars are all right up against one another, but if you want to get around this you can set the index that you would like a separation at to 0 so that basically that line is drawn at the origin. The other drawback is that if you want separate colors you will
absolutely have to have separate plots one for each color, and I'm sure you can understand what to do here from what I've already said.
Now the other thing I thought you might have meant was to just simply draw multiple irrelevant lines on one graph and the answer to this is yes as well. Just go to the Property pages for the graph and select the PLots tab and click the 'add' button to add more, they will all have their own settings for style and you can also associate them with different axes under the Axes tab.
Other than that you will have to specify more exactly what it is you are looking for and if you aren't quite sure you can do quite a bit of research yourself by studying the ComponentWorks online help, the ComponentWorks examples in your Measurement Studio\VB\Samples directory, and by opening up the Object Browser in VB and looking at all of the properties and methods exposed by the CWGraph object for programmatic manipulation of the control.
Jason F.
Applications Engineer
National Instruments
www.ni.com/ask

Shortest distance between two line segments

Hi.
I am looking for the code of the "Shortest distance between two line segments". I would appreciate if anyone has and willing to share.
I can find some in the net but its in VB and i am not familiar with it.
THanks a lot.
regards,

There are a couple of things that are not clear:
What determines the rotation speed and lenght of each stick at any given time?
What is the program allowed to do to prevent collision (change speed/direction, change radius, stop everything)
Since you want to prevent collision, you need a predictive algorithm. Once they overlap, the collision has already happened. Too late!
What information does your algorithm get (e.g. r1, r2, theta1, theta2, delta-thetat1, delta-theta2, etc.), i.e. does the program only get static information and need to construct the trajectory from sequential history data or does it get dynamic information about speed and direction?
The trivial answer would be to just keep r1+r2 < distance(P1,P2). This will prevent all "potential" collisions.
LabVIEW Champion . Do more with less code and in less time .

Drag and dynamically add line segments?

Dear all:
I draw a continuous line segments by mouse, which starts by a left
mouse click. Then if user click on another location on the screen, it
will continuously add a line segment to the screen. This process ends
with a right mouse click. In this case, all the points are shown
in a JPanel and stored in a Vector.
My question is:
after the line is shown on the screen, how can I use mouse to drag
any points on these line segments (it does not necessary need to be
the line-segment connecting points), such that the new points will be
added to the line, and original line segments' shape changed
accordingly during the mouse drag.
Example:
Step 1: A line (containing line segments], which is drawn by mouse on the Panel:
    * [left click]
      * [left click]
      |
      |
      * [left click]
       * [right click]
Step 2: Drag any points in the line, this does not necessary to be
original points that define the line-segments, such as the + in the
following.
      |
      + [here left click a point on the line]
      |
Step 3: If I drag the + in above figure to left, it will become:
    + [right click, the new point and new line segment is added]
When the mouse released, the new shape is shown on the panel.How to do the dynamically drag?
Thanks in advance!

Try this
regards
Stas
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import java.awt.geom.*;
import java.util.ArrayList;
public class Test {
    JScrollPane scroll;
    JPanel p=new JPanel(new BorderLayout());
    Robot robot=new Robot();
    public Test() throws Exception {
        final JFrame frame=new JFrame();
        frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        frame.getContentPane().add(p);
        frame.getContentPane().add(new Desktop());
        frame.setBounds(0,0,350,350);
        frame.show();
    public static void main(String[] args) throws Exception {
        new Test();
class Desktop extends JPanel implements MouseListener, MouseMotionListener{
    ArrayList polyline=new ArrayList();
    Point startPoint;
    boolean dragged=false;
    int lineIndex=-1;
    public Desktop() {
        super();
        addMouseListener(this);
        addMouseMotionListener(this);
        polyline.add(new Line2D.Double(10,10,150,150));
        polyline.add(new Line2D.Double(150,150,10,300));
    public void mouseDragged(MouseEvent e) {
    public void mouseMoved(MouseEvent e) {
    public void mouseClicked(MouseEvent e) {
    public void mousePressed(MouseEvent e) {
        Point point=e.getPoint();
        Rectangle2D pointRect=new Rectangle(point.x-3,point.y-3,7,7);
        for (int i=0; i<polyline.size(); i++) {
            Line2D line=(Line2D)polyline.get(i);
            if (line.intersects(pointRect)) {
                startPoint=point;
                lineIndex=i;
                return;
        lineIndex=-1;
    public void mouseReleased(MouseEvent e) {
        if (lineIndex>=0) {
            Point2D endPoint=e.getPoint();
            Line2D line=(Line2D)polyline.get(lineIndex);
            Line2D firstPart=new Line2D.Double(line.getP1(),endPoint);
            Line2D secondPart=new Line2D.Double(endPoint,line.getP2());
            polyline.remove(lineIndex);
            polyline.add(secondPart);
            polyline.add(firstPart);
            this.repaint();
    public void mouseEntered(MouseEvent e) {
    public void mouseExited(MouseEvent e) {
    public void paint(Graphics g) {
        super.paint(g);
        g.setColor(Color.red);
        for (int i=0; i<polyline.size(); i++) {
            Line2D line=(Line2D)polyline.get(i);
            ((Graphics2D)g).draw(line);

How to make line segments persist

I am studying by myself, and I have already Googled the subject line, to no avail.
I am trying to write lines with movement dictated by the arrow keys. I can get a line segment to move, but after the movement the whole panel gets repainted. So I don't get any lines written anywhere.
Anyone have a solution to this?
Here's my code.
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
public class DrawLinesUsingKeys extends JFrame {
    private DisplayCoordinatePanelSEVEN keyboardPanel =
            new DisplayCoordinatePanelSEVEN();
    public DrawLinesUsingKeys() {
        getContentPane().add(keyboardPanel);
        keyboardPanel.setFocusable(true);
    /**Main method*/
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        // Create a frame
        DrawLinesUsingKeys frame = new DrawLinesUsingKeys();
        frame.setTitle("Draw Lines Using Keys");
        frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        frame.setSize(300, 300);
        frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
        frame.setVisible(true);
class DisplayCoordinatePanelSEVEN extends JPanel implements KeyListener {
    private boolean pressedAction = false;
    private int x = 150;
    private int y = 150;
    private int z = 150;
    private int a = 150;
    public DisplayCoordinatePanelSEVEN() {
        addKeyListener(this);
    public void keyPressed(KeyEvent e) {
        pressedAction = true;
        switch (e.getKeyCode()) {
            case KeyEvent.VK_DOWN:
                a = y + 10;
                break;
            case KeyEvent.VK_UP:
                a = y - 10;
                break;
            case KeyEvent.VK_LEFT:
                z = x - 10;
                break;
            case KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT:
                z = x + 10;
        repaint();
    public void keyReleased(KeyEvent e) {
    public void keyTyped(KeyEvent e) {
    public void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
        super.paintComponent(g);
        g.setColor(Color.BLACK);
        if (pressedAction) {
            g.drawLine(x, y, z, a);
            pressedAction = false;
            x = z;
            y = a;
    }Thank you for your time.

import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
class DrawLinesUsingKeys extends JFrame {
    private DisplayCoordinatePanelSEVEN keyboardPanel =
            new DisplayCoordinatePanelSEVEN();
    public DrawLinesUsingKeys() {
        getContentPane().add(keyboardPanel);
        keyboardPanel.setFocusable(true);
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        DrawLinesUsingKeys frame = new DrawLinesUsingKeys();
        frame.setTitle("Draw Lines Using Keys");
        frame.setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
        frame.setSize(300, 300);
        frame.setLocationRelativeTo(null);
        frame.setVisible(true);
class DisplayCoordinatePanelSEVEN extends JPanel implements KeyListener {
    java.util.List<Point> points = new java.util.ArrayList<Point>();
    private boolean pressedAction = false;
    private int x = 150;
    private int y = 150;
    private int z = 150;
    private int a = 150;
    public DisplayCoordinatePanelSEVEN() {
        addKeyListener(this);
        points.add(new Point(x,y));
    public void keyPressed(KeyEvent e) {
        pressedAction = true;
        switch (e.getKeyCode()) {
            case KeyEvent.VK_DOWN:
                //a = y + 10;
                y += 10;
                points.add(new Point(x,y));
                break;
            case KeyEvent.VK_UP:
                //a = y - 10;
                y -= 10;
                points.add(new Point(x,y));
                break;
            case KeyEvent.VK_LEFT:
                //z = x - 10;
                x -= 10;
                points.add(new Point(x,y));
                break;
            case KeyEvent.VK_RIGHT:
                //z = x + 10;
                x += 10;
                points.add(new Point(x,y));
        repaint();
    public void keyReleased(KeyEvent e) {
    public void keyTyped(KeyEvent e) {
    public void paintComponent(Graphics g) {
        super.paintComponent(g);
        g.setColor(Color.BLACK);
        if (pressedAction) {
            for(int xx = 0, yy = points.size()-1; xx < yy; xx++)
              Point p1 = points.get(xx);
              Point p2 = points.get(xx+1);
              g.drawLine(p1.x, p1.y, p2.x, p2.y);
            pressedAction = false;
            //x = z;
            //y = a;
}

Calibrated line segments

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