Compass Angle
"Compass angle" refers to the counterclockwise angle in degrees from computer East that describes the declination of True North. This is consistent with the AGi32 angular positioning scheme using World Coordinates (0 is East, counterclockwise is positive). The Compass angle can be entered manually by typing in the space provided, or by using the Set North button.
Examples
- If your project is constructed such that the top of the screen is True North (it is also computer North), then the Compass angle is 90 degrees.
- If True North is facing due Northeast with respect to the computer screen (toward the upper-right corner), the Compass angle is 45 degrees.
Set Compass
The Set North button allows you to manually draw a vector on your drawing that is parallel to True North. Click on the button and control will return to the graphics area to draw the vector. Set the reference point anywhere on your drawing, keeping in mind that the second point you select will define a line pointing toward True North. Proceed to select the second point. You can think of this as clicking on the base of an arrow that is pointing north, and then on the tip of the arrow.
Make the vector long enough (distance from first to second point) that the angle will be accurate. You can watch the Compass angle in the lower left corner of the screen, denoted by the Orient angle.
Once you have clicked the second point (tip of the imaginary arrow), control will return to the Daylight Parameters dialog.