Reference Section > Shape Library > Primitives

The Line Segment (Width/Height) shape is a single straight line. It is set by the X distance (Width) and the Y distance (Height) from its insert point to its far end. It is an open path, not a closed part outline. Use it for one straight cut where the end point is easiest to give as an offset from the start. To give the line by its two end points instead, use the Line Segment (Point to Point) shape.

It appears in the shapes library under Basic Shapes and Primitives.

Insert point and direction

The insert point is the start of the line. The line runs from the insert point to the far end, which lies Width along X and Height along Y from it. At the defaults it runs up and to the right at 45°.

Two dimensions are drawn: Height, measured vertically, and Width, measured horizontally. Both run from the insert point to the far end. Each is offset from the line by one fifth of the larger of Width and Height. That comparison uses the signed values, so a negative Width or Height changes which side the dimensions are drawn on.

Properties

Property	Description	Default
Width	The X distance from the insert point to the far end of the line (mm or inch). A negative value runs the line to the left (–X). Accepts negative values.	100 mm (4 in)
Height	The Y distance from the insert point to the far end of the line (mm or inch). A negative value runs the line below the insert point (–Y). Accepts negative values.	100 mm (4 in)

The Width and Height properties are listed first on the property page, followed by the Transform and Polar Array groups.

Limits and errors

Width and Height both accept negative values, so the line can point into any of the four quadrants without rotating the shape. Set Height to 0 for a horizontal line, or Width to 0 for a vertical one. The length of the line is the square root of Width² + Height².

•Width and Height both 0, or both within the geometry tolerance of 0: the line has zero length and the shape cannot be built. The line raises the error Cannot define zero length line segment. No line, dimensions or polar copies are produced, and the property page shows the red banner Warning: Cannot build shape from these parameters until the values are changed.

•Any other combination of Width and Height, including a 0 in one of them, builds without error.

The line is an open path. It has no inside or outside, so it is not a closed part outline.

Every 2D shape also has the Transform properties (Base X, Base Y, Rotation, Scale, Mirroring X) and the Polar Array properties, listed after the shape's own properties.