How do I node edit in the 3D view and type exact move distances, line lengths and arc radii? (12.5)

What it is

Version 12 brought the drawing tools into the 3D view. Version 12.5 added the full node editing toolset there too, along with fillet, trim and extend. The 3D view also gives node editing something the 2D view does not: edit boxes at the cursor where you type exact values.

Steps

1. In the 3D view select a vector and press N to enter Node Editing mode (press N again to leave).
2. Move a node by an exact amount: drag the node and release. The relative X and Y move distances are shown, with X selected. Type the X value, press Tab, type the Y value, press Enter.
3. Set a line length: click a straight span. Both ends are selected and the span can be dragged as one piece, or type its length in the field. The length is measured from the first node of that span, counting in the vector's direction from the start node (the one marked with the direction arrow).
4. Reshape a Bezier: drag the span itself. The ends stay locked and the handles adjust. Each handle can also be positioned by typed relative values.
5. Change an arc: drag the arc to change its radius, or type absolute X and Y values for its center handle. If the value would exceed the largest radius the arc can have, it stops at that maximum.

Right-click menu in 3D

Right-click a node or span for the usual commands. From build 12.505 the 3D menu includes delete span, insert point, insert midpoint and cut at the clicked position.

Mirror mode

In the right-click menu, turn on Mirror Horizontal or Mirror Vertical. A dashed magenta line divides the shape. Select matching nodes on both sides with Shift, drag one, and the opposite node moves the opposite way. This keeps symmetrical shapes symmetrical.

Gotchas

• Line length is measured from the first node of the span, so check the vector direction if the wrong end moves.
• Redo (Ctrl+Y) did not work in node editing until build 12.511.
• Holding Ctrl while dragging an arc or Bezier span moves the whole span instead of reshaping it.

Pro tips

• Smart Snapping together with typed values gives the most accurate node placement.
• See the entries on node editing shortcuts and on fixing open vectors for the commands shared with the 2D view.