Parallel, Perpendicular, and Deflection

This topic applies to ArcGIS for Desktop Standard and ArcGIS for Desktop Advanced only.

In the parcel fabric, parcel traverse and construction lines can be added using the Parallel to Line, Perpendicular to Line, and Deflection off Line COGO tools.

Parallel to Line

Parcel traverse and construction lines can be added such that they are parallel to an existing line. When a line is added using the Parallel to Line tool, the bearing of the line in the traverse or construction grid will be the same bearing as the line on which you right-clicked.

To add a parallel traverse line or construction line, right-click the line to which the new line will be parallel and click Parallel to Line. The line feedback cursor is constrained parallel to the line on which you right-clicked.

Parallel To Line tool

To specify a distance for your parallel line, right-click and click Distance. Type a distance in the text box on the Distance dialog box.

Perpendicular to Line

Parcel traverse and construction lines can be added such that they are perpendicular to an existing line. When a line is added using the Perpendicular to Line tool, the bearing of the line in the traverse or construction grid will be a bearing that is perpendicular to the line on which you right-clicked.

To add a perpendicular traverse line or construction line, right-click the line to which the new line will be perpendicular and click Perpendicular to Line. The line feedback cursor is constrained perpendicular to the line on which you right-clicked.

Perpendicular to Line tool

To specify a distance for your perpendicular line, right-click and click Distance. Type a distance in the text box on the Distance dialog box.

Deflection off Line

Parcel traverse and construction lines can be added such that they deflect at an angle off an existing line. Positive angles deflect lines counterclockwise off an existing line, and negative angles deflect lines clockwise off an existing line. The units of the deflection angle will be in the units set for Direction and Angle of the current, working plan.

When a line is added using the Deflection off Line tool, the bearing of the line in the traverse or construction grid will either be the addition or subtraction of the bearing of the line on which you right-clicked and the angle you specified. Negative angles are subtracted.

To add a traverse line or construction line that is deflected off an existing line, right-click the line off which the new line will be deflected and click Deflection off Line. Type an angle in the text box on the Deflection dialog box and click OK. The line feedback cursor is constrained at the angle you specified to the line on which you right-clicked.

To specify a distance for your deflected line, right-click and click Distance. Type a distance in the text box on the Distance dialog box.