Fixed length lines

I am mapping out an irregular shape using basic
triangulation (measurements from a point on the shape to
two fixed points). As such, I need to connect lines of
fixed length to the two fixed base points, forming a
large number ot triangles to define the irregular shape.

Is there a way to fix the length of the two measurement
lines, set them at base points A & B, then rotate them
from those fixed points until they form the triangle,
thus locating the point on my irregular shape?

In case the above doesn't make sense, an example is that
I have an A side of 5". I need to complete a triangle
with B side of 7.6" and a C side of 6.4". How do I set
the lengths of all 3 sides, and then attach them?

Thanks in advance,

Kevin

Here's an obscure tip:

- Make sure your rulers are visible.
- Drag out a guide point by draggin from the upper left corner where the
rulers meet.
You should get a purple/pink cross on the drawing page.
- Keep the guide point selected
- "Goto Tools Add-ons Visio extras" and choose "Move Shapes..."
You will see that you can enter cartesian or polar coordinates, and that
you
have the option to "Duplicate"

Simply enter your numbers and duplicate the guide points for all of your
coordinates.

Then you can easily use the line tool and snap to the guide points on the
page!


(ok I wrote the Move add-on years ago...I don't stay up SO late learning
this stuff)

--

Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP


"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I am mapping out an irregular shape using basic
triangulation (measurements from a point on the shape to
two fixed points). As such, I need to connect lines of
fixed length to the two fixed base points, forming a
large number ot triangles to define the irregular shape.

Is there a way to fix the length of the two measurement
lines, set them at base points A & B, then rotate them
from those fixed points until they form the triangle,
thus locating the point on my irregular shape?

In case the above doesn't make sense, an example is that
I have an A side of 5". I need to complete a triangle
with B side of 7.6" and a C side of 6.4". How do I set
the lengths of all 3 sides, and then attach them?

Thanks in advance,

Kevin

Here's an obscure tip:

- Make sure your rulers are visible.
- Drag out a guide point by draggin from the upper left corner where the
rulers meet.
You should get a purple/pink cross on the drawing page.
- Keep the guide point selected
- "Goto Tools Add-ons Visio extras" and choose "Move Shapes..."
You will see that you can enter cartesian or polar coordinates, and that
you
have the option to "Duplicate"

Simply enter your numbers and duplicate the guide points for all of your
coordinates.

Then you can easily use the line tool and snap to the guide points on the
page!


(ok I wrote the Move add-on years ago...I don't stay up SO late learning
this stuff)

--

Hope this helps,

Chris Roth
Visio MVP


"Kevin" wrote in message
...
I am mapping out an irregular shape using basic
triangulation (measurements from a point on the shape to
two fixed points). As such, I need to connect lines of
fixed length to the two fixed base points, forming a
large number ot triangles to define the irregular shape.

Is there a way to fix the length of the two measurement
lines, set them at base points A & B, then rotate them
from those fixed points until they form the triangle,
thus locating the point on my irregular shape?

In case the above doesn't make sense, an example is that
I have an A side of 5". I need to complete a triangle
with B side of 7.6" and a C side of 6.4". How do I set
the lengths of all 3 sides, and then attach them?

Thanks in advance,

Kevin