> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.synaps.app/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.synaps.app/drafting/draw-a-polyline.md).

# Draw a polyline

Click each point to draw a connected run of straight segments, then press Enter to finish it open or click back on the start to close it into a loop.

**Shortcut:** P

## Steps

1. Press **P**, or choose **Polyline** in the toolbar.
2. Click once to set the start point.
3. Click again for each next point. A preview segment follows the cursor from the last point you placed, with a live length and angle readout. There is no limit on how many points you add.
4. Press **Enter** to finish the polyline as an open run. To close it into a loop instead, click back on the start point once you have placed at least three points.

**Watch the steps · 8 seconds**

{% embed url="<https://610775476-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqzriLrFv2ZhYgQvlapF0%2Fuploads%2FXZ41uAii4KcKvYqHtvhP%2Fdrafting-draw-a-polyline-01-hero.mp4?alt=media>" %}
Place consecutive points to draw a polyline.
{% endembed %}

## Draw to an exact length or angle

1. Place the first point, then enter **L** (length), **A** (angle in degrees), or both in the tool panel. Use the displayed unit for length. A field left unset follows the pointer.
2. Press **Enter** in the input to place the next point. The run stays active.
3. Repeat for another segment.

To finish the run, leave the fields empty and press **Enter** on the canvas. To close a loop, click its start point.

**Example:** enter a 4 m length in the displayed unit and **A = 0°**, then press **Enter**. Enter a 3 m length and **A = 90°** for the next segment. Each confirmation adds one point; finish the run separately.

**Video examples**

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Length" %}
{% embed url="<https://610775476-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqzriLrFv2ZhYgQvlapF0%2Fuploads%2FeU7tpnnnjQKKX4yjsAsU%2Fdrafting-draw-a-polyline-03-input.mp4?alt=media>" %}
Set a polyline segment's length with the numeric input.
{% endembed %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Angle" %}
{% embed url="<https://610775476-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FqzriLrFv2ZhYgQvlapF0%2Fuploads%2F3o0tQQJgNw6cEw1JbTlR%2Fdrafting-draw-a-polyline-04-input.mp4?alt=media>" %}
Set a polyline segment's angle with the numeric input.
{% endembed %}
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## What you'll see

A connected run of straight segments between the points you clicked, drawn in your current line style. If you closed it, the run joins back to its start as a loop. The finished polyline appears selected, so you can move or restyle it straight away.

## Keep segments straight and aligned

As you draw a polyline, it snaps to nearby points — the ends, midpoints, and centres of existing geometry, along with intersections and perpendicular points — and it snaps back to its own start point so you can close the loop cleanly. It also locks to **0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°** as you move, so horizontal and vertical segments stay aligned. Press **F3** to turn snapping off or back on.

## Cancel a polyline

Press **Esc** while drawing a polyline to discard the run in progress. Nothing is added to your drawing.

## Properties

Select a polyline to open its shared appearance controls. A closed polyline can take a fill; use stroke controls for the linework.

* [Stroke](/reference/properties/stroke.md)
* [Fill](/reference/properties/fill.md)
* [Line style](/reference/properties/line-style.md)
* [Opacity](/reference/properties/opacity.md)

## Related guides

[Draw a line](/drafting/draw-a-line.md).

More: [Draw a rectangle](/drafting/draw-a-rectangle.md) · [Draw to exact lengths and angles](/drafting/draw-to-exact-lengths-and-angles.md).