Gradient Control

Click the Gradient Control tool on the Strings | Edit toolbar to interactively set the elevation of new points when digitising a string.

This differs from the String Gradient tool which is used to set the gradient for a selected string or segment, and all the points on that string or segment.

When you click the New String tool to digitise a string,

and then click the Gradient Control tool, Gradient Control mode is toggled on and off.

When Gradient Control mode is active, two drop-down lists are provided which allow you to specify a gradient value and the Gradient Units to be applied to the gradient value:

The Curve Properties, String Gradient and Bearing/Distance tools on the String Editor toolbar pick up the current gradient from the Gradient Control tool, if it is active.

Snapping

If both Snapping mode and Gradient Control mode are enabled, you can still snap. However, if there is no snap point, the gradient is applied.

If Snap to Line and the Gradient tool modes are enabled, a check is made that the points of the currently hit segment have the correct gradient, before the nearest valid point is snapped to. A normal Snap to Line occurs if there isn't a valid point.