Each line that you add will be composed of one or more straight segments.

First, point to the place where you want to start a line.
 
 

Click the left pointer button. Cross hairs will appear at that point, indicating the place where the first segment will start.
 
 

Then point to the place where you want the first segment to end, hold the shift key, then hold the left pointer button. The segment will appear. If you are not satisfied with the end point that you chose, just move the pointer as you continue to hold the left button and the shift key.
 
 

When you are happy with the end point of the segment, release the left button, but continue to hold the shift key. Cross hairs will appear at that point, indicating the place where the next segment will begin.
 
 

Point to the place where you want the second segment to end, hold the shift key, and hold the pointer button. Again, if you are not satisfied with the end point that you chose, just move the pointer as you continue to hold the left button and the shift key.
 
 

When you are happy with the end point of the segment, release the left button. Cross hairs will again appear at that point.
 
 

When you are finished adding segments to the line, release the shift key. The cross hairs will go away. The line will be highlighted while the pointer remains on it.
 
 

When you move the pointer away, it will no longer be highlighted, but will appear as a black line two pixels in width.
 
 

The next time the screen is refreshed, it will be redrawn with the default line, which (if you haven't changed it) is a thin, black line.

(Hint: You may refresh the screen at any time by clicking the middle pointer button.)
 
 

Now you may add attribute data to the new line. Point to the line. It will become highlighted again.
 
 

Hold the right pointer button, choose Edit Attributes from the menu, then release the button.
 
 

The Edit Attributes popup will appear. Point to the various fields, fill in the desired attributes, and click OK.
 
 

If you have set up graphic characteristics for one or more of the attribute fields, the line will change according to the attributes you entered.
 
 

 
  To add another line, simply repeat the above steps.

(Hint: If you decide that you want to extend the line you just finished, hold the shift key, and the cross hairs will reappear where you left off, indicating the start point of the next segment. Continue by pointing at the desired end point and pressing the left pointer button as in the above steps.)

Another way to add a line is to copy an existing SDTS line. Start by pointing at the line so that it is highlighted.
 
 

Hold the right pointer button and choose Copy Line from the menu.
 
 

The screen is refreshed, and the line is drawn on top of the original line using the default graphic characteristics for a line.
 
 

If you then edit the attributes, the line will change according to the graphic characteristics that you have set for those attributes, if any.
 
 

A third way to add a line is to create a path from existing SDTS lines and copying the path. Start by pointing at the place where you want the path to begin.
 
 

Hold the right pointer button and choose Measure Path from the menu.
 
 

The Measure Path popup appears. Click Go.
 
 

Begin defining the path by pointing at the first line you want in it. This line will then be marked by a red X and a green X.
 
 

Point to the second line you want in the path. The green X will turn red, and a new green X marks the new end of the path.
 
 

When you have finished adding lines to the path, hold the right pointer button and choose Copy Path from the menu.
 
 

The screen is refreshed, and the line is drawn on top of the original line using the default graphic characteristics for a line.
 
 

If you then edit the attributes, the line will change according to the graphic characteristics that you have set for those attributes, if any.
 
 

To exit Measure Path mode, hold the right pointer button and select Measure Path from the menu.
 
 

The Measure Path popup appears. Click Stop.
 
 

The Measure Path cursor is replaced by the usual arrow cursor.
 
 

After you have finished copying lines, you may wish to hide some of the SDTS lines to reduce clutter. From the view menu, choose the theme for the lines you wish to hide.
 
 

Deselect the types of lines that you wish to hide, and click OK.
 
 

The deselected SDTS lines are hidden.
 
 

For more detail on adding lines, see the pages for Edit Attributes Fields, Edit Attributes, and Edit Graphic Characteristics.

Copyright © 2005 by Dapper Mapper