Numerical entry of coordinates?

[twixter]

I am using the GUI client with Wine under Kubuntu Linux 8.10. It more or less works, but some features such as most of the Help menu are not available. Please excuse my ignorance.

I want to define a shape with accuracy of 0.01 mm. This is separate from the issue of manufacturing tolerances. I can set the grid to 100 points per mm. The magnification required for this accuracy results in endpoints that cannot both be contained on the screen at the same time. When I click the first endpoint of the first line, it gets normalized to the origin (0,0) which I do not want it to do. Is there any way to keep it from doing that?

When I move the mouse beyond the workspace boundaries to set the second endpoint, the screen does not scroll along with me. I cannot click the hand icon, because doing so would cancel the line. I cannot reduce magnification, because then I lose the desired accuracy.

The Line | Properties... window shows me the numerical values for the endpoints, but I can find no way to edit these values. Am I supposed to be able to edit them? If not, why not?

Perhaps I could edit a text file with the desired numerical values and import it. The File | Import... window lists file types .igs, .iges, .dxf, and .step. Where can I learn more about these file types and their syntax? Which would be most appropriate for my needs? My desired shape is a polyhedron with some concavity, all straight edges, and no rounded surfaces. Attached is a POV-Ray image.

Thanks very much for any suggestions!

[Tech2]

At least under Windows you can edit the values on the Numeric bar. In any case I would zoom out to full view, get the lines close to the right position, then zoom in and use the Node edit tool on the left toolbar: Node Editing

[twixter]

Thanks! I was wrong; I can edit the numbers on the numeric toolbar also.