Defining Spherical Coordinates
To define a point in spherical coordinates, specify the point's radius, measured from the origin, in the R box, the angle from the z-axis in the Theta box, and the angle rotated counter-clockwise (CCW) from the x-axis in the Phi box. When defining a second point, specify its distance from the previously defined point in the in dR, dTheta, and dPhi boxes.
Note: Even though you
are inputting spherical coordinates, all data is internally stored in
Cartesian coordinates.
To define a point in spherical coordinates:
- After clicking the desired drawing command, select Spherical from the drop-down menu on the status bar.
- Type the point's r-, theta-, and phi-coordinates in the R, Theta, and Phi boxes.
- When drawing objects other than polylines and helices, the second point you select is relative to the first point. Type the second point's distance from the previously selected point in the dR, dTheta, and dPhi boxes.
Tip: Press Tab to move from one coordinate box to
the next. Press Shift+Tab to move
to the previous coordinate box.
Alternatively, click the point in the view window.