Extend by Distance

Function

This command extends a line or polyline, or creates a new line or polyline from an existing one, using a specified distance.  The new segment of the line or polyline is drawn from the current position in the direction indicated by the current position arrowhead.

You start by selecting an existing line or polyline.  Initially, the current position is the closest vertex to the location where the line or polyline was selected.  Extending from the endpoint of a polyline will add a new point to that polyline, while extending from any other point will create a new polyline.

There are two modes of operation: draw mode (D) and move mode (M).  When you are in draw mode, extending will draw line or polyline segments.  When you are in move mode, the current position arrowhead can be moved without drawing segments. The orientation of the current position arrowhead can be changed with the Right, Left, and Angle commands.

Here is a list of the Extend by Distance options:       

Key       Name                      Action

D

Draw mode

Actions draw or extend the line or polyline

M

Move mode

Actions only move the pointer

#

Number

Distance to draw or extend

R

Right rotate

Rotates clockwise 90 degrees

L

Left rotate

Rotates counterclockwise 90 degrees

E

Extend to edge

Extends to intersection with a selected line or polyline

T#

Total distance

Sets current segment to specified distance

A#

Angle change

Rotates pointer by specified number of degrees

A

Align

Rotates pointer to align with segment

B

Bearing

Sets pointer direction by bearing in format: Qdd.mmss with Q-quadrant, d-degrees, m-minutes, s-seconds (e.g. 130.1005 is NE 30 degrees, 10 minutes, and 5 seconds)

S

Switch

Reverses pointer direction

N

Next

Moves pointer to next point

P

Previous

Moves pointer to previous point

U

Undo

Undo the last Extend by Distance command

C

Close

Closes the polyline

O

Open

Opens the polyline

Help

Help

Displays this list

                                    

Prompts

1  Select line or pline to extend: select line or polyline

Pick the polyline near the place to extend

2  Enter or pick distance to draw (A,B,C,E,L,M,N,O,P,R,S,T,U,Help): T50 

The line is extended to a total length of 50 units.

3  Enter or pick distance to draw (A,B,C,E,L,M,N,O,P,R,S,T,U,Help): R

The pointer is turned to the right.

4  Enter or pick distance to draw (A,B,C,E,L,M,N,O,P,R,S,T,U,Help): 75

A polyline is drawn to 75 units.

5  Enter or pick distance to draw (A,B,C,E,L,M,N,O,P,R,S,T,U,Help): B145.0000

The pointer is turned toward NE at a bearing of 45 degrees.

6  Enter or pick distance to draw (A,B,C,E,L,M,N,O,P,R,S,T,U,Help): 50

A polyline is drawn to 50 units.

7  Enter or pick distance to draw (A,B,C,E,L,M,N,O,P,R,S,T,U,Help): Press Enter

Press Enter to end the command.

Prerequisite: An existing line or polyline with at least one segment from which to start.

Keyboard Command: EXTENDER