An independent point has no parents, and so does not depend on any other object. An independent point is free to move anywhere on the sketch plane.

A point on path is constructed on a path object such as a line or circle. A point on path is free to move along its path, but cannot leave that path.

A dependent point—such as a point of intersection—is constructed in such a way that its position is completely determined by its parents. A dependent point cannot move by itself. The point can move only if at least one of its parent objects also moves. Thus, a point at the intersection of two segments cannot move unless one or both of the intersecting segments are moved, and the reflected image of a point cannot move unless either the pre-image or the mirror moves.