Entering Numbers
Using numbers in Rhino for distance, angle, and coordinate entry.
There are many ways to enter points, numbers, and angles in Rhino.
Note: No spaces are permitted in a number, angle, or coordinate point.
Basic numbers
Whole numbers
123
Decimal numbers
+123.456
0.456
.456
Scientific notation
-1.23456e10
1.23456E10
Fractions
5/16
1-3/4 (1.75)
Note: You can specify units when typing lengths and point coordinates. Rhino will automatically convert the number you type into the model’s units. For example, if your model units are meters and you type 27cm, Rhino automatically converts your number to 0.27.
Example
1.235millimeters
-1.234cm
+16’5″ (16 feet 5 inches)
1’2-3/4″ (1 foot 2.75 inches)
Use any of the Rhino unit measurements including fractions. You can mix fractional and decimal input.
Microns
1.2mic
1.2micron(s)
Millimeters
1.2mm
1.2millimeter(s)
Centimeters
1.2c
1.2cm
1.2centimeter(s)
Meters
1.2m
1.2meter(s)
Kilometers
1.2km
1.2kilometer(s)
Microinches
1.2microinch(es)
Mils
1.2mil(s)
Feet and Inches
1″
1in
1inch(es)
1’2-1/2(“)
1’2.2(“)
1-1/2″
1.5″
1′
1ft
1foot
1feet
Miles
1mi
1mile(s)
Other
Angstrom
Nanometer
Decimeter
Dekameter
Hectometer
Megameter
Gigameter
Yard
Printer point
Printer pica
Nautical mile
Astronomical unit
Lightyear
Parsec
Use any of the Rhino angle unit measurements including fractions. You can mix input types.
The direction for 0 degrees is 3 o’clock. Positive angular measurement is counterclockwise.
Degrees
The “°” symbol can be used, but it is easier to just type d.
45 (If no units are specified, then degrees are assumed.)
45°
45d
39deg
22.875degs
12.345e2degree
180degrees
47.653395°
Degrees/minutes/seconds
128d37’22″
128°37’22″
99d37’45.234″
32.543′
32’30.1234″
Radians
3.1415926535897932384626433832795r (pi radians)
1.234r
1.234rad
1.234rads
1.234radian
1.234radians
Grads
4.00g
4.00grad
4.00grads
Surveyor’s units
S47°39’08.54″E
When prompted for a point, you can click the mouse in a viewport to define the point coordinates or you can or type the coordinates in several ways:
You can type x and y coordinates or x, y and z coordinates to place points. With w prefix you can type world coordinates, with r prefix relative coordinates, and with wr prefix world relative coordinates.
Construction plane coordinates
x,y,z
3,4,5
2,-11 (2,-11,0) When you omit the z coordinate, it is automatically set to 0.
Note: If you type only x- and y-coordinates, the point will lie on the construction plane of the active view.
17<45
Polar (radius<rotation angle,z)
17<45,8
Spherical (radius<rotation angle<z-elevation angle)
5<30<45
Spherical (x,y<elevation angle)
5,6<15
Surveyor (distance<N/SangleE/W)
11<N30d22’54.43″W
To use construction plane coordinates
-
At a prompt for a point, type coordinates in the format x,y,z and press Enter
.
Example
-
Start the Line command and place the first line point at 0,0.
-
This starts the line at the construction plane origin.
-
At the End of line… prompt, type 12,6,10 and press Enter
.
-
The line is drawn from the construction plane origin to a point 12,6,10 in the construction plane coordinates.
Type w in front of the coordinates, to use the world coordinate system; otherwise the construction plane coordinates of the active view are used.
World x,y,x
w9,3,4
World polar
w78<32
To use world coordinates
-
At the command prompt, type coordinates in the format wx,y,z and press Enter
.
Example
-
Start the Line command and place the first line point at w0,0,0 and press Enter
.
-
This starts the line at the world coordinate origin.
-
At the End of line… prompt, type w12,6,10 and press Enter
.
-
The line is drawn from the world origin to a point 12,6,10 in the world coordinates.
In commands like Line and Polyline, you can specify relative points.
Construction plane
@3,4 (Go over 3 and up 4 from the previous point.)
r3,4
R3,4
@5<30 (Relative points work with any point format.)
World
@w11<N30d22’54.43″W
Relative polar construction plane
r4<45
@4<45
Relative polar world
rw4<45
Constrain the cursor
Make the mouse cursor go where you want it to go.
Locks the next point will be placed at a specified distance from the last point.
See Also: SmartTrack …
To constrain to a distance
-
Type a number at the command prompt and press Enter
.
-
The marker
moves around the last point at the specified distance.
Example
-
Start the Line command and place the first line point.
-
At the End of line prompt, type 10.
-
The line endpoint moves around the last point 10 units away.
-
Click to place the point, or, type an angle and press Enter
.
Locks the next point will be placed at a specified angle relative to the last point.
To constrain to an angle
-
Type an angle at the command prompt in the format <a and press Enter
.
-
The cursor moves along a line at the specified angle.
Example
-
Start the Line command and place the first line point.
-
At the End of line … prompt, type <60.
-
The line is restricted to 60 degree angle from the last point.
-
Click to place the point, or, type a distance and press Enter
.
Example
-
Start the Line command and place the first line point.
-
At the End of line … prompt, type 55<N30E.
-
The line is restricted to 55 units in length at the angle N30E from the last point.