Draw Line Tool

Modified on 2025/04/21 18:30 by Adam — Categorized as: Drawing Tools, Features

Overview¶

The Draw Line tool allows a user to create a line on the map that is useful for measurements and displaying the line and distance on a generated report.

The Draw Line tool also contains a Line Buffer feature to convert the drawn line into a polygon with a designated buffered size in feet.

While drawing the right hand panel will show the length of the current line segment as well as the total length of the entire line.

When a report such as an FSA Map or Application form is generated, the line will appear and a total length number will be labeled.

Watch the Draw Line Tutorial Video

Using the Draw Line tool¶

Once you have located the area that you would like to place a line on, then click on the drawing tool in the left hand column.

Then select the Draw Line radio button

Left click once on the point where you would like to start placing the line.

As you move your mouse, the current length will cycle to wherever the next point that the mouse is hovering over.

Now click again to place another point on the map. You are able to see the total length in feet of that line segment in the right hand draw field panel.

Each placed point will add the current length to the total length.

If you have misplaced a point on the map and you haven't ended your line yet, then you can delete it by right clicking anywhere on the map. This will delete the last placed node.

To end the line,you just need to double click on the last spot you would like to place a node.

If a FSA map is generated, the line will now have a label showing its length.

Buffer a Line¶

A powerful feature of the Draw Line tool is the ability to convert the line into a buffered polygon area. This is useful for a number of scenarios including showing setback distances from rivers and streams.

To use the buffer feature, first draw and complete a line using the Draw Line tool.

Next type in the distance in feet you want to buffer out on each side of the line into the Buffer Selected Line box and click Buffer.

The drawn line will be replaced with a buffered polygon.

Surety Pro users can then Save this polygon to the borders layer or a stylized and labeled custom polygon layer.

Delete the drawn line¶

There are a few ways to delete the line.

One option is to click the trash can below the drawing tool. NOTE: This will delete all of the drawings that are on the map not just the lines.

Another option is to click on the "Cancel Drawing" link.

If you want to delete the line only, then make sure the draw line tool is selected then right click on each of the lines nodes to delete them.

Another way to remove one line from the map, left click one of the nodes(points) while the Draw Line tool is enabled and then use the Delete Selected option in the right panel.