Datum Help Needed

[TZ250]

Rodney, how do I set the datum on the drawing and make it stay put?

I can set the datum for a hole. When I type in another hole, the datum jumps to the new location.

What am I doing wrong?

[rodneydeeeee]

Once your in Partmaster CAD, you'll need to go up to the "draw" menu. At the bottom you'll see datum. Click datum and then it'll allow you to place the datum anywhere. It should then stay put. Let me know if this helps.

[TZ250]

I can move the datum. The problem is, it moves with the next hole.

Example:
I start with a .750" hole at X0,Y0.

After that, I type X4,Y0. The datum jumps to the new location. If I want another hole at X8,Y4, I have to type as if it were incremental, which it is then called X4,Y4.

[rodneydeeeee]

On the command line toolbar - where you enter the XY coordinates there are three icons, the first - a cross and arrow is for absolute input. Click this first before typing any coordinates and all sizes will be absolute from the drawing datum. Clicking this icon again will revert to incremental input.

The red propeller icon is for returning the command line datum to the drawing datum should it have been moved, the last icon is for entering coordinates in Z&X for lathe work.

Don't forget that you can also enter expressions into the command line e.g. X (20/3)