The Cursor and Marker panel controls the appearance and behavior of editing markers, cursor-based input, pre-selection highlighting and tooltips in ARCHLine.XP.

These settings can be used to customize how graphical editing aids appear and how information is displayed around the cursor during drawing and editing operations.

Location:
File > Options > Cursor and marker

Marker Settings

Markers are graphical controls displayed on or around selected elements. They provide access to editing operations, reference points and other context-sensitive functions.

Marker scale

Defines the display size of graphical markers.

The value acts as a scale factor for markers displayed in the drawing area.

For example:

1.0 = normal marker size.

Increasing the value makes markers larger and easier to see, while decreasing it creates a more compact display.

This can be useful when working on high-resolution monitors or when larger editing controls are preferred.

Note: Marker scale affects only the graphical size of markers on screen. It does not change the size, geometry or properties of model elements.

Enable marker pop-menu learning mode

Enables the learning mode for marker pop-up menus.

When this mode is active, ARCHLine.XP provides additional assistance related to the commands available from editing markers. It is intended to help users become familiar with marker-based editing and the functions associated with individual markers.

This option can be particularly useful for new users learning ARCHLine.XP's direct graphical editing workflow.

Enable marker selector for overlapping markers

Activates a selection mechanism when multiple markers overlap or are located very close to each other.

When several markers occupy the same screen area, the marker selector helps you choose which marker and corresponding function you want to use.

This is particularly useful in dense drawings or when several editable reference points are located close together.

3D drawing axes origin follows the last input point

Controls the position of the drawing axes used during 3D input.

When enabled, the origin of the 3D drawing axes moves to the last specified input point.

As a result, subsequent 3D input can use the most recently entered point as the local reference, making consecutive 3D modelling operations easier.

This is especially useful when creating geometry step by step in 3D space.

Cursor

The Cursor section controls dynamic input and other graphical information displayed around the cursor.

Enable Cursor Input Box

Displays the Cursor Input Box during supported drawing and editing operations.

When a command requires a point, distance or direction, the Cursor Input Box appears close to the cursor and displays numerical information related to the current input.

Values can also be entered directly into the Cursor Input Box. Press TAB to move between editable fields and Enter to confirm a value. This allows, for example, a distance or angle to be entered without opening a separate dialog. 

For example, while drawing a wall, the Cursor Input Box can display:

• distance,
• angle,
• relative X coordinate,
• relative Y coordinate.

This provides immediate numerical feedback while drawing.

Cursor help message is visible

Displays contextual help messages near the cursor during supported commands.

The message provides information about the expected next action, helping the user follow the current command without constantly referring to another part of the interface.

For example, a message may indicate that the program is waiting for the next point, direction or selection.

Cursor Input Box displays

Defines which numerical information is shown in the Cursor Input Box.

Two display modes are available:

ARCHLine.XP's dynamic input system allows these values to be displayed and edited directly near the cursor. 

Distance and Angle

Displays the current vector using:

• Distance – distance from the previous or reference point.
• Angle – direction of the vector according to the current angle settings.

This provides a compact dynamic input display and is suitable for most normal drawing operations.

Distance, Angle and Relative Coordinates

Displays additional coordinate information:

• Distance
• Angle
• Relative X coordinate
• Relative Y coordinate

Relative coordinates describe the position of the new point in relation to the previous/reference point rather than the global project origin. 

This mode is useful when precise Cartesian coordinate input is required.

Sensible reference-markers

Enables context-sensitive reference markers during drawing and editing.

When enabled, ARCHLine.XP displays relevant graphical reference markers that help identify characteristic points and directions related to the current operation.

These visual aids support accurate positioning and make it easier to understand which reference point or geometric relation is currently being recognized.

Sticker property table

Enables the Sticker Property Table displayed near selected elements.

The Sticker Property Table provides quick access to important properties of the selected element directly in the graphical workspace, reducing the need to open a separate properties dialog for common modifications.

ARCHLine.XP supports direct editing of the main parameters of many architectural elements in both 2D and 3D views; changes are immediately reflected in the model. 

Surface selection preview near edges

Enables a preview of the surface that will be selected when the cursor is positioned close to an edge.

This helps distinguish between adjacent surfaces and makes surface-based selection more predictable, particularly in complex 3D models.

When enabled, ARCHLine.XP provides visual feedback before the surface is actually selected.

Pre-selection

Pre-selection – Outlines the element when you hover the cursor over it (DirectX 11)

Enables graphical pre-selection highlighting.

When the cursor is moved over a selectable element, ARCHLine.XP highlights the contour of that element before it is selected.

This provides immediate visual feedback about which element will be selected if you click.

Pre-selection is particularly useful:

• in dense floor plans,
• where several elements are close together,
• in complex 3D models,
• when identifying which element is currently under the cursor.

The official ARCHLine.XP selection workflow describes the same behavior: hovering over an element highlights its contour using the selection color. Pre-selection can also be switched on or off with F11. 

Note: This graphical pre-selection option requires DirectX 11.

Tooltip

Tooltip enabled

Enables tooltips throughout the ARCHLine.XP user interface.

When the cursor is held over a command or supported user-interface element for a short time, a tooltip appears with information about that function.

Depending on the command, a tooltip may contain:

• the command name,
• a short description,
• graphical information,
• additional usage information.

Tooltips are particularly useful when learning the interface or when working with less frequently used commands. 

Temporary Shortcuts

The Temporary Shortcuts section lists keyboard keys that temporarily modify cursor or input behavior while a command is running.

Unlike normal command shortcuts, these keys do not necessarily start another command. Instead, they temporarily modify the behavior of the current drawing or editing operation.

SHIFT – Force Horizontal and Vertical

Press and hold SHIFT during point input to temporarily constrain cursor movement to horizontal or vertical directions.

This provides a fast way to create orthogonal geometry without permanently changing the current drawing settings.

ARCHLine.XP documents this behavior as Orthogonal Locking (Ortho Mode): holding SHIFT restricts cursor movement to horizontal and vertical directions while creating or modifying objects. 

TAB – Cycle through hotspots

Press TAB to cycle through available hotspots or selectable candidates when several possible points or elements are located close to the cursor.

This is particularly useful when several elements overlap and the required element cannot easily be selected directly.

ARCHLine.XP also uses TAB when selecting overlapping elements: repeated presses cycle through the available candidates until the required element is identified. 

Note: TAB is context-sensitive. During numerical input in the Cursor Input Box, TAB is also used to move between editable input fields. 

Recommended configuration

For general architectural modelling, I would keep the Help recommendation fairly conservative:

Users who frequently work with coordinate-based input can switch Cursor Input Box displays to Distance, Angle and Relative Coordinates to obtain more detailed numerical feedback.