GuideSIGN Markings also expands the functions available to users when drawing these lines over and above the normal CAD options. The next sections describe the Split, Gap, Pick and Offset options that are available in GuideSIGN Markings when drawing linear markings.

These options are accessed on the command line text by picking the grey item, or by typing the appropriate capital letter, or even by a right-click menu, which should be chosen prior to picking any points on the screen. The available options are listed on the command line.

• Prior to 1st point: Specify start point or [Gap from previous/Split road/Pick Existing/Offset from line] <Split>:
• Prior to 2nd point: Specify next point or [Split road] <Split>:
• Prior to 3rd point: Pick point for arc or [Split road/Undo/Line/Return for straight line] <Return>:

Similar options are offered for subsequent points.

Split Function

This is used to get the GuideSIGN Markings system to automatically select a position for the marking between two other points (such as curblines) - as might be the case for a centre-line of a carriageway. This may be ½ way for a 2-lane road or ⅓, ¼, etc for more lanes. It eliminates the need for create set-out or construction lines prior to drawing the marking over the top of them.

The function is invoked by pressing S rather than selecting a point when the routines are expecting one.

You will then be prompted to select two reference points, i.e. points 1 and 2 above, and asked to confirm the division factor (number of lanes). If 3 or more lanes then you will be expected to tell the computer which of the lane lines you are drawing, referenced from the first point/side you picked. This function can be worth practising as the user is picking a number of points to define another point i.e. the 3rd and 4th pick above are used to calculate the 2nd point on the road marking.

GAP Function

This is very useful for starting an intermittent (line plus gap) marking, as it enables a line to be drawn from a previous marking, with the correct gap. When you begin to draw a line or arc using the GuideSIGN Markings functions, you can also specify that the line should start a "gap" length from a previous line. You can do this by typing G instead of the first select point for the line. This will then access the GAP function which requests you to pick an existing line on the drawing, grabbing its endpoint. The new marking initially appears to start from this endpoint, however when the line is finished it is then adjusted to create a gap before the start of the line. The gap size is defined by the type of marking being drawn i.e., 1+5 will give a 5m gap.

Make Line Marking from an Existing Line or Polyline

‘P’ for Pick Existing: and ‘O’ for Offset from:

This is an additional option available instead of picking any points when drawing a line.

Specify start point or [Gap from previous/Split road/Pick Existing/Offset from line] <Split>:

Pressing P and RETURN will stop GuideSIGN Markings from drawing a new marking and instead it will now ask you to pick an existing line/polyline/marking.
Specify an existing line

Then when the user picks a line/polyline/arc already within the drawing, then GuideSIGN Markings will draw its marking to the exact same alignment over the top.

Pressing O and Enter will stop KeyLINES from drawing a new marking and instead it will now ask you to pick an existing line/polyline/marking.

• Specify an existing line
• Select the side of the line to offset
• Specify end point
• Enter offset distance <5.000>:

The offset option can be useful for drawing a lane line of bus lane where the marking is required to be a certain distance away for a kerb and maintain the same alignment as the kerb.

Other options: ‘M’ for midway point, ‘U’ for undo

There are other options available when drawing the second, third and subsequent segments of the road marking line.

Pick point for arc or [Split road/Midpoint/Undo/Line/Return for finish] <Return>:

• M (Midway point) allows you to have more control over the direction of the arcs by letting you specify 3 points of the arc.
• U (Undo) lets you step back a segment without cancelling out of the command.
• A (Arc) and L (Line) allow you to switch between drawing arc segment and straight-line segments in the same way that the AutoCAD polyline command works.