TurboCAD 14 - Distance with objects

[studysession]

I want to drill 4 small holes. So I draw them in TurboCAD. I use the measuring tool to see the distance between my points. It is not exact where I want it.

Is there something I can type in to say these 2 points should be exactly 2.2 inches apart?

Thanks

[ger21]

I don't use TurboCAD, but there should be a way to draw them exactly where they should be. You shouldn't just randomly draw them, and move them into place. There should be a command to pick a point relative to the other circles.

[studysession]

That is what I was thinking. I was hoping someone here would know the command for that.

Thanks

[radcliffe]

I have TurboCad 10 but 14 should be the same. Sample: to draw six .25 circles with .75 centers you draw 1st circle then select from the draw tool bar or edit drop down window the select command. Highlight the the circle then select from draw tool bar copy linear or from edit drop down window click on copy enitities then click linear, you will see a rubber band line attach to your cursor and center of circle when moved the x and y step numbers will change. Hit the tab key to go to xstep enter ".75" tab to ystep enter 0 tab to sets enter 6 then hit return key, this will draw six .25 cirles with .75 centers along the x plane. The other copy commands are similar.
Hopes this helps.

Harold

[studysession]

Originally Posted by radcliffe I have TurboCad 10 but 14 should be the same. Sample: to draw six .25 circles with .75 centers you draw 1st circle then select from the draw tool bar or edit drop down window the select command. Highlight the the circle then select from draw tool bar copy linear or from edit drop down window click on copy enitities then click linear, you will see a rubber band line attach to your cursor and center of circle when moved the x and y step numbers will change. Hit the tab key to go to xstep enter ".75" tab to ystep enter 0 tab to sets enter 6 then hit return key, this will draw six .25 cirles with .75 centers along the x plane. The other copy commands are similar. Hopes this helps. Harold

Thanks - worked perfectly.

You wouldn't by chance know best way to center a circle inside of a square now would you?

I have the circle and square already drawn. Just figure there would be an easy way to center one inside the other. Doing just by hand, I am always just a small bit off. Can't get exact center.

I am trying to make a mount for my 5" rotary. I need to make a mount for the rotary itself and then a mount to have a Nema 23 stepper on the back of it. This will be my 4th axis on my DIY gantry router. I want to have a rotary for doing rings and braclets.

Then need to make something to actually hold the material to the rotary. Don't have the funds for buying a 3 or 4 jaw chuck. If anyone has suggestions, it would be appreciated.

Thanks again -
SS

[ger21]

Originally Posted by studysession Thanks - worked perfectly. You wouldn't by chance know best way to center a circle inside of a square now would you? I have the circle and square already drawn. Just figure there would be an easy way to center one inside the other. Doing just by hand, I am always just a small bit off. Can't get exact center.

Draw a diagonal line through the corners of the square. Move the center of the circle to the center of the diagonal line.

[radcliffe]

Just as GER21 stated draw two diagonal lines in square. This is the way I do it, draw square using rectangle from drawing tool bar, select line from drawing tool bar or insert drop down window then from snap tool bar or from modes drop down window select intersection, place cursor at corner of square and hit the "i" key this will snap the enter point at corner of square then place cursor diagonal at other corner of square and hit the "I" key again. A line will be drawn from corner to corner at the intersections. Draw the other diagonal line the same. From the drawing tool bar or from the Insert drop down window select circle center and point command, place cursor over intersection of diagonal lines in square and hit the "I" key this will snap entery point, hit the tab key twice, the diameter box will be highlighted, enter size of circle in this box .25 for 1/4 in. .5 for 1/2 in 1 for 1 inch then hit return key. the circle will be center in square. Now you can delete/remove diagonal lines.
Hope this helps.
Haold

[radcliffe]

Another way of drawing circles that are equally paced is to use the absolut coords. Say you want three .25 1/4" circles spaced one inch apart along the x axis starting at x2 y3. Hit your shift and A key or menu modes coords system/absolute then from drawing tool bar select circle center & point. using the tab key tab 4 times you should be in the coord x box enter 2 tab to the y coords box enter 3 hit return this locks enter point of circle tab two times to diameter box enter .5 for 1/2 circle hit return this is first circle. Tab to coords x box enter 3 tab to y coords box enter 3 hit return this locks p;oint for second circle tab to diameter box enter .5 hit return this is second circle. tab again to x coords box enter 4 tab to y coords box enter 3 hit return. Tab to diameter box enter .5 hit return. Hit Shift and P to get out of absloute coords. You should have three 1/2 in. circles starting at x2 y3 spaced 1 in. on center along the x axis.
Harold