Triangulation Calculator Tutorial
In This Topic
Accessed from the
Annotate tab in the
Tools Group commands.
The triangulation calculator is a useful tool for computing the angle of a corner, given the lengths of its edges. It is specifically designed for working out and drawing non right-angled walls based on measurements taken from the field, and supports several different measurement methods...
The first 4 Triangulation Types are used for multi-step measurements...
- From original to second
- From original to current - see Tutorial
- From previous to current
- Use a template
For one-off measurements use...
- Calculate only
The 'Calculate only' type/method is for one-off calculations and is used simply to calculate the angles based on the measurements you enter.
Start by clicking on the 'Triangulation' command button, shown above right. The following window will be presented.
The information you must provide the calculator with is:
- the length and direction of the line coming into the corner (A-B),
- the length of the line coming out of the corner (B-C) and
- the length of the line across the corner (A-C).
The triangulation calculator will work out the angle across the corner (at B) and the direction of the line coming out of the corner (B-C).
Note that for a given set of lengths and directions, the triangle you are calculating can be either in a clockwise (as in the example shown here) or counter-clockwise orientation. Although the internal angle is the same, the direction of the line coming out of the corner is different. Use the 'Clockwise' checkbox to specify which orientation you require.
In this example we will use this method to calculate the angle of a corner
To use as a calculator, you will need to know the measurements of the 3 sides of the triangle. We know that the walls we initially created were 1800 x 4500 and we can use the tape measure for the 3rd side.
Type in the 3 distances, as shown, and the calculator will work out the angle.
You can also use the calculator to draw walls and other shapes in multiple steps using the options discussed here. You should first decide which method of triangulation you wish to use from the Triangulation Type group of options.
When drawing in multiple steps...
- press the Move button to move the mouse cursor (and usually draw a line or wall) after entering the required values for each step.
- the Reset button sets the current values back to the last position of the cursor. Note that the wall and horizontal panel tools will automatically reset for you when you start a new wall or panel.
- to stop drawing the wall, close the Triangulation Calculator window and click on another command button.
The multi-step triangulation types are illustrated in the following diagrams and shows the difference between each type. The method you use depends on how you take measurements in the field. In addition, each has different effects on accuracy.
- Original to second: Uses the triangles ABC, ABD and ABE. The line from the original to the second point (AB) is the 'Into Corner' line for each triangle.
Accuracy Note: Will result in a precise location for point E, but the individual line segments (e.g. DE) may not be as accurate because the segment lengths are calculated rather than specified.
- Original to current: Uses the triangles ABC, ACD and ADE. Here, each triangle starts from the original point A and goes to the point just drawn.
Accuracy Note: Provides a good compromise.
- Previous to current: Uses the triangles ABC, BCD and CDE. In this case, the 'Out of corner' of one triangle becomes the 'Into corner' of the next.
Accuracy Note: Will result in accurate segment lengths, but the location for point E may not be precise.
- Template: This is done by placing a triangular template into a corner and recording the lengths of the three sides. These three lengths are then used to calculate an angle. It is this angle and the actual length of the wall (BC) that specify the next point.
In this tutorial we will create a wall as shown in the following diagram, which assumes that all the relevant lengths were accurately measured on site, as per dimensions stated on diagram.
As the measurements are the individual wall lengths and the distances are from the first point, we will use the 'Original to current' triangulation method. Notice that the wall segments go in a clockwise direction from the bottom left.
Before drawing, start the triangulation calculator and ensure you...
- select 'From original to current' and
- tick the 'Clockwise' checkbox.
Leave the triangulation calculator visible while drawing, but drag it out of the way so you can see what you are doing, as shown below.
- Draw the 1st wall using the Wall command, then...
- Select the Wall command and click on the drawing page at the starting point for the wall.
- Enter the length of the first wall section (2100mm) into the Set Length box, and
- Click on the Up button on the Movement group of commands to draw the wall.
- Use triangulation to draw the 2nd wall:
- Use triangulation to draw the subsequent walls:
- Re-enter distances 'Current to new' as 2255mm and 'First to new' as 4987mm. This time the out of corner angle is 356.2°.
- Press the Move button again this 3rd wall.
- Continue in the same way until the entire wall sequence is drawn.
- To create the final wall, re-enter distances 'Current to new' as 1950mm and 'First to new' as 4652mm.
To stop drawing the wall,
close the Triangulation Calculator window and
click on another command button.
key, you will see that the triangulation calculator has automatically updated the 'Current to new' and 'First to new' angles to 48 and 138 degrees respectively.
