Progressively Drawing precise lines as we go!

[Clasz (Brian Dclasz)]

Hi Guys, I am not sure if the issue has been discussed and resolved in the past. If it has been, please point me in the right direction.

I want to draw a continuous line with precise dimensions as I go along. Is this possible ? or do I have to draw a straight line Eg. horizontal line 20 mm to the right then 30 mm vertically up then 25 mm to the right and then 100 mm vertically down. As it would be random lengths, and a continuous line, I am unable to give each line segment a precise length. I need to know if there is a way to draw precise lengths as I progress drawing the lines. I am sure someone else would have had the same issue or I may have missed a simple way to do this.

Appreciate any help from any fellow users of Light burn software.

Thanks.

[bernd.dk (Bernd)]

There is no “interactive” progressive line drawing currently in LB, as is found in some CAD programs. Whether it is in the script for LB development, I do not know.
Strangely, because I knew from the start and had to rethink, I found my own way of constructing in LightBurn and am fine with it and do not miss it (anymore). LightBurn is not a CAD program but has gained a nice amount of CAD-like functions, I do not switch programs when I draw.

Of course, you can write it into future addition requests if it is not there already.

[ednisley]

@Clasz

• random lengths
• a simple way to do this

If you’re starting with a list of coordinates, then the least-awful way to get the complete pattern may be to create an SVG file and import it into LightBurn.

I used Python to generate sets of SVG files for layered paper projects:

A similar program could read the coordinates from a text file, create lines between successive points, then save the result as an SVG file.

Import the SVG file into LightBurn and it’s done!

If you’re doing several of those, the program would save you a ton of time. Even if you’re doing it only once, being able to tweak a line in a text file would be much easier (for me, anyhow) than locating that point and moving it to the new location.

[RalphU (RU)]

@Clasz

I need to know if there is a way to draw precise lengths as I progress drawing the lines. I am sure someone else would have had the same issue or I may have missed a simple way to do this.

There isn’t a way to draw like that in Lightburn. If you are used to drawing in a CAD program like AutoCAD, maybe you can find an older copy of AutoCAD LT on eBay, or you can try out one of the AutoCAD “clone’“ programs like Draftsight.