Lines
Four types of lines can be added to a layout. These are:
Aiming Lines
Aiming Lines are composed of a single segment and are a feature of CBalls (and PBalls) and OBalls. To create an Aiming Line, Left-Click on the desired OBall/CBall, then move the cursor to the desired position, finishing with a Left-Click to anchor the end of the Aiming Line. The Aiming Line end can be repositioned using a Left-Click-and-Drag.
Aiming Lines for OBalls and CBalls are similar, but are used in different ways:
OBall -- An Aiming Line for an OBall is typically used to point to the pocket in which the OBall will be sunk. When an OBall Aiming Line is activated, an associated Ghost Ball is also attached to the OBall.
CBall -- An Aiming Line for a CBall is typically used to connect a Cue Ball to a Ghost Ball (OBall). When an Aiming Line is attached to a Ghost Ball, an associated tangent line is displayed which indicates the path the impacting ball would take with a dead-ball (no spin) hit. The Aiming Line to Ghost Ball connection can also be created between two OBalls, thus creating a combination shot.
The diagram below shows a combination shot, and illustrates the various Aiming Line connections that can be made.
Extended Aiming Line
An Extended Aiming Line is yellow and extends backwards from the Cue Ball toward the shooter. Beginning and developing intermediate players will find this a useful visual aid to ensure proper body and cue alignment for successful stroke delivery. The Extended Aiming Line is added by right-clicking on the desired CBall and selecting "Ext. Aim. Line On". The Extended Aiming Line is only visible when an Aiming Line or Track Line is connected to a Ghost Ball.
Track Lines
Track Lines are multi-segment and are used to trace an extended path of an OBall or CBall, including impacts with rails or other balls. To create a Track Line, Right-Click on the desired OBall/CBall, and select "Track", activating a Track Line. Move the cursor to the desired position, often a Ghost Ball or rail, and Left-Click to anchor this segment. Finish a Track Line by moving the cursor to the desired location and end with a Double-Left-Click. More than one Track Line can be added to a single ball, to perhaps represent results of using different speeds or different cueing.
A Right-Click on a segment of a Track Line provides the following options:
-
Reshape Track -- Selecting "Reshape Track" adds circular "control points" to each track segment. A Left-Click-and-Drag can be done on the control points to reshape the Track Line.
-
Remove Track -- Selecting "Remove Track" deletes the track from the layout.
-
Add Label -- Selecting "Add Label" adds a label to that Track Line segment (each segment can have a label). Use Right/Left Arrow, Backspace and Delete keys to edit the text.
-
Add Segment -- Selecting "Add Segment" will insert an additional segment into the Track Line.
-
Remove Segment -- Selecting "Remove Segment" will remove the selected segment from the Track Line. If the selected segment is a Curve, the curve will be removed and revert to a straight segment.
-
Curve -- Selecting "Curve" will turn the selected segment into a Bezier curve. Referring to the adjacent diagram of a masse shot, the two ends of the segment are fixed to a Cue Ball and a Ghost Ball. Two additional "yellow" control points are inserted between the segment end points and control the shape of the curve. It is possible to draw physically impossible pool shot curves. A curved pool ball path should start with an initial curve (spin) and, as the spin wears off, end in a straight path. For best results that accurately represent a pool ball path:
- Adjust (Left-Click-and-Drag) the control point closest to the Cue Ball to get the curve correct.
- Adjust the control point closest to the Ghost Ball, placing it on top of the visible line, which causes the path to straighten out as in a real pool shot.
Alternate between step 1 and 2 until the path is correct.
Pocket Lines
An extended yellow Pocket Line (opposite in direction to the Aiming Line) for an OBall can be produced by right clicking on the OBall and selecting the "Pocket Line On" option. The Pocket Line is used as a visual aid to picture how far the cue ball must travel to get proper angle on "the next shot". Typically, one would turn on the Pocket Line for "the next object ball" (after the one you are shooting now) you intend to make. The Pocket Line will only be active if the Aiming Line is active.
Pocket Line Example
Free Lines
Free Lines have all the features of a Track Line, but are not attached to a ball. The Free Line Right-Click menu, like a Track Line, supports Reshaping, Removing, Labels, Add/Remove Segments and converting any segment into a Curve. For details, see the more complete description above in Track Lines.
One additional feature of Free Lines is the addition of Arrowheads to the Line. Multiple clicks of "Toggle Arrow" will cycle the arrow heads through None/End/Start/Both.
