Creating a point or vertex at a direction and distance

Direction-Distance allows you to create a point or vertex using a distance from a known point plus a direction from a known point to define a bearing line. For example, a pole might be located at a specified distance from the corner of one building and at a defined angle from the corner of another building.

1. These steps can be used to create either point features or vertices in lines and polygons:

   To create a point feature	Click a point feature template in the Create Features window and click the Point tool .
   To create a vertex in a line	Click a line feature template in the Create Features window and click the Line tool .
   To create a vertex in a polygon	Click a polygon feature template in the Create Features window and click the Polygon tool .

2. Click Direction–Distance on the Editor toolbar construction method palette.
3. Click a point to specify the location from which the direction to the next vertex is measured.
4. Move the pointer to get the approximate direction toward the next vertex.

As you move the pointer in the direction from the point you clicked, the direction is displayed in the lowerleft corner of the ArcMap window.

5. Press D and type the direction to the vertex from the point you clicked, then press ENTER.
6. Optionally, click again on the map to set the direction.
7. Click a point to specify the location from which the distance to the next vertex is measured.
8. Move the pointer to get the approximate distance from the point you clicked to the next vertex.

As the pointer is moved, a circle, centered at the second point you clicked, is dragged out to intersect the direction line you just defined. The radius of the circle is displayed in the lowerleft corner.

Optionally, press D and type a distance in map units to the next vertex from the point you specified. Pressing ENTER sets the size of the circle.

The new vertex is placed at one of the intersection points of this circle and the direction line.

9. Click the intersection of the circle and the direction line that corresponds to the position of the new vertex.

The intersection point nearest the cursor is selected, and once clicked, the new vertex is placed. Optionally, you can press TAB to switch between the two intersection points and ENTER to select one of them.