PlaceBezier

Applied Parameters: None

Summary

This command is used to place a Bezier object onto the active document. A Bezier curve is a non-electrical drawing primitive. It is a free-form curved line that can be placed on a schematic sheet. The curve is defined by a series of vertex points that 'pull' the line into a curved shape.

Access

Beziers are available for placement in both Schematic and Schematic Library Editors:

• Schematic Editor - the following commands are available:
  • Choose Place » Drawing Tools » Bezier from the main menus.
  • Click the  button on the Utility Tools drop-down () of the Utilities toolbar.
  • Right-click and choose Place » Drawing Tools » Bezier from the context menu.
• Schematic Library Editor - the following commands are available:
  • Choose Place » Bezier from the main menus.
  • Click the  button on the Utility Tools drop-down () of the Utilities toolbar.
  • Right-click and choose Place » Bezier from the context menu.

Use

After launching the command, the cursor will change to a cross-hair and you will enter Bezier placement mode. Placement is made by performing the following sequence of actions:

1. Click or press Enter to anchor the starting point for the curve.
2. Move the cursor and click or press Enter to place a series of vertex points to define the curve. As you move the cursor the curve will be continually redrawn to indicate how it would look if you placed a vertex at the cursor position.
3. After placing the final vertex point, right-click or press Esc to complete placement of the curve.
4. Continue placing further Bezier curves, or right-click or press Esc to exit placement mode.

Additional actions that can be performed during placement are:

• Press the Tab key to access the Bezier dialog, from where properties for the Bezier can be changed on-the-fly.
• Press the Alt key to constrain the direction of movement to the horizontal or vertical axis, depending on the initial direction of movement.

Tips

1. The minimum number of vertices required to define a bezier curve is 4 points. After 4 clicks the Bezier no longer appears attached to the cursor, however, if you continue to click then the last vertex on the just-defined Bezier will be used as the first vertex on the next Bezier. If you right-click once after finishing the first 4-point Bezier you will terminate the current Bezier placement, but remain in Bezier placement mode ready to start a new one.
2. For information on how a placed Bezier object can be modified graphically, directly in the workspace, see Graphical Editing.
3. While attributes can be modified during placement (Tab to bring up associated properties dialog), bear in mind that these will become the default settings for further placement unless the Permanent option on the Schematic – Default Primitives page of the Preferences dialog is enabled. When this option is enabled, changes made will affect only the object being placed and subsequent objects placed during the same placement session.