Using the Angle Tools

You can use the Angle and Split Angle tools to measure the angle between any two lines. For split angles, Dragonfly will calculate the angle that would exist between the line segments if they were extended far enough to intersect. Measurements are shown with the annotation in 2D and 3D views and are also available in the lower section of the Data Properties and Settings pane, as shown below.

Angle properties and settings

See Annotation Properties and Settings for information about changing the visibility of angles and their assigned color, as well as other options available for annotations.

The measurements and tools available for angles are described in the following table.

Angle measurements and tools

 

Description

Thickness

Indicates the thickness, in screen percentage, of the annotation.

  • Enter a new value in the Thickness edit box to change the appearance of the annotation.

Angle

Indicates the measured angle.

  • Enter a new value in the Angle edit box to change the angle. You can also modify angles by dragging their control points.

Split angle

Available for simple angles, this option lets you create a split angle.
  1. Maximize the required image, recommended.
  2. Click the Angle tool in the Annotate panel.
  3. Click and drag to create the initial side of the angle.
  4. Click and drag from the vertex to create the terminal side of the angle.

    The angle measurement is indicated at the vertex and in the lower section of the Data Properties and Settings panel.

  1. Maximize the required image, recommended.
  2. Click the Split Angle tool in the Annotate panel.
  3. Click and drag to create the initial side of the angle.
  4. Click and drag to the level of the terminal side of the angle.
  5. Click and drag to create the terminal side of the angle.

    The angle measurement is indicated at the vertex and in the lower section of the Data Properties and Settings panel.

  1. Select the required angle, either directly in the 2D view or in the top section of the Data Properties and Settings panel.
  2. Click inside the control point you need to adjust and then drag.

    You can also select multiple controls points. For example, if you need to move a side of the angle.

  3. Click inside the selected control point(s) to de-select it.
  1. Select the required angle, either directly in the 2D view or in the top section of the Data Properties and Settings panel.
  2. Select any line between its control points and then drag to reposition the angle.

A number of configured actions and keyboard shortcuts are available for creating and editing angles. The default settings for these actions are listed in the following table.

Default configured actions for angles

Action

Key

Mouse

Create an angle in Angle mode

 

Left mouse

Edit an angle in Angle mode

 

Left mouse

Create a split angle in Split Angle mode

 

Left mouse

Edit a split angle in Split Angle mode

 

Left mouse

Switch to Angle mode

A

 

Switch to Split Angle mode

Left Ctrl + A

 
See Configurable Actions for information about modifying the default actions for the Angle tools.