Create and modify 3D models > Create 2D geometry > Draw an element relative to up to two elements
  
Draw an element relative to up to two elements
You can draw any 2D element such as a line or a circle relative to up to two existing elements using the Measure Relative option. For example, you can use this option to draw a line at a distance of 20 units from an existing line and at a distance of 30 units from an existing circle.
1. Click Home and then, in the Draw group, click a 2D CoPilot command such as Line/Arc, Rectangle, Circle, 2 Pos, or other commands.
2. Move the cursor over the first reference element such as a line or a circle.
3. Press R or right-click and choose Measure Relative from the context menu. The visual feedback shows the distance from the first element as you move the cursor.
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• You can also use the Option Mini Toolbar (OMT) to activate the Measure Relative option. Move the cursor over the reference element, press SPACEBAR, click on the OMT, and select Measure Relative.
• If you move the cursor over a vertex, center point, midpoint, or an intersection point, and press R, the visual feedback automatically shows two distances from this element: one along the x-axis and the other along the y-axis.
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If you type a polar or a Cartesian coordinate (to constrain one parameter), Creo Elements/Direct Modeling displays an error if you type a Measure Relative distance, which does not produce a valid result (over-constrains geometry).
4. Move the cursor over the second reference element.
5. Press R. The visual feedback shows you the distance from both elements. The distance from the first element is active (the current value is selected) by default.
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Press TAB to toggle between the two distances.
6. Click a point at desired distances from the two reference elements.
7. Draw a line, arc, or a circle depending on your 2D CoPilot command.
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The Measure Relative option does not support splines as reference elements.
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To release the active reference element, press F or right-click and choose Free Measure Relative from the context menu.
You can also use the OMT to deactivate the Measure Relative option. Press the SPACEBAR, click on the OMT, and select Free Measure Relative.
You can measure relative distances from the following elements:
• Straight lines (finite or infinite).
• Circles and arcs.
• Vertices, midpoints, center points, and intersection points.
• Auxiliary lines like same xy lines, circle extremes, perpendicular projectors, and so on.
• 3D projected geometry (as long as the projection is a straight line, a circle, or an arc).
• Construction and real geometry.