Line Tool
Press L to activate the Line tool. Draw a single straight line between two points using click-click, drag-release, or numeric entry.
Line ToolThe Line tool draws one straight segment at a time using three flexible entry modes: click two points on the canvas, type a length and angle from a start point, or enter relative X/Y offsets. All three modes are bidirectional — clicking on the canvas populates the sidebar fields, and typing in the sidebar updates the canvas preview in real time. Use the Line tool for property boundaries, setback lines, sight lines, and construction guides that help align other elements in your design.
Keyboard Shortcuts
| Key | Action |
|---|---|
| L | Activate Line tool |
| Shift | Constrain to 45° angle increments |
| Esc | Cancel current line |
Entry mode: ΔX, ΔY
Click to set the start point, then enter ΔX and ΔY offsets. Positive ΔY moves up on the canvas. Length and Angle are derived read-only values. Useful for drawing lines of exact horizontal or vertical displacement.
Chain segments
Enable Chain segments in the panel options. After clicking Apply (or double-clicking the endpoint), the end point automatically becomes the start of the next line. This lets you trace property boundaries or construct paths without re-activating the tool between each segment.
Constrain to 45° angles
Enable the Constrain to 45° angles option in the panel, or hold Shift while drawing on the canvas. The line snaps to 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270°, or 315°.
Draw using ΔX, ΔY offset mode
Switch to ΔX, ΔY mode. Click to place the Start point, then type horizontal and vertical offsets into the ΔX and ΔY fields. Positive ΔY moves upward on the canvas. The Length and Angle fields become read-only derived values. This mode is the fastest way to draw exact horizontal runs (ΔY = 0) or vertical runs (ΔX = 0).
Constrain the angle to 45° increments
Hold Shift while dragging to snap the line to 0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°, 225°, 270°, or 315°. Alternatively, check Constrain to 45° angles in the sidebar options panel before you begin drawing. This is useful for drawing perfectly orthogonal boundary lines without needing to type exact coordinates.
Chain consecutive segments
Enable Keep Active (labeled Chain segments) in the sidebar options. After you click Apply, the end point of the completed segment automatically becomes the start point of the next one. The tool stays active so you can continue tracing a boundary without re-pressing L between segments. Press Esc or click a different tool when you are finished.
Apply and name the line
Type a descriptive name into the Name field at the top of the sidebar (for example, "North boundary" or "Setback 3 m"). Click Apply to commit the segment to the drawing. The line is added to the active layer and immediately selectable for further editing, styling, or use as a snap reference.
For tracing a property boundary with many straight sides, enable Keep Active before you start. Each click-Apply cycle advances the start point, so the whole boundary becomes a series of connected lines without interruption.
The Line tool creates individual segments, not a connected path. If you need a single multi-vertex path that can be styled as one object (e.g., a curved boundary with straight sections), use the Polyline tool instead.
Length and Angle are read-only when Start + End mode is active. Attempting to type in those fields has no effect. Switch to Length + Angle mode to enter a distance directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Length and Angle fields are greyed out — why can't I type in them?
In Start + End mode, both endpoints already fully define the segment, so Length and Angle are calculated automatically and are read-only. To type a length directly, switch the mode selector to Length + Angle. To type relative offsets, switch to ΔX, ΔY mode.
How do I draw several connected lines without restarting the tool each time?
Enable Keep Active (Chain segments) in the sidebar options before you begin. After each Apply, the end point advances to the new start automatically and the tool remains active. Press Esc or choose another tool when you are done chaining. For a single connected multi-point path, the Polyline tool is a more convenient choice.
My line won't snap to exactly horizontal or vertical — what should I do?
Hold Shift while drawing, or check Constrain to 45° angles in the sidebar before placing your start point. The segment will snap to the nearest 45° increment, including 0° (horizontal) and 90° (vertical). Alternatively, use ΔX, ΔY mode and set ΔY to 0 for a perfectly horizontal line.
What is the difference between the Line tool and the Polyline tool?
The Line tool creates independent single segments — each Apply produces a separate object. The Polyline tool creates one connected multi-vertex path in a single operation. Use the Line tool for isolated reference lines, boundaries, and construction guides. Use Polyline when you want a styled continuous path with multiple vertices that can later be edited together.
Can I draw a line at an exact bearing, like a surveyed property line?
Yes. Switch to Length + Angle mode, click your start point, enter the surveyed distance in the Length field, and type the bearing into the Angle field (angles are measured counter-clockwise from the positive X-axis). The end point is placed precisely without a second canvas click.